Google Announces 2023 Tech Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholars

Google Australia and Aurora Education Foundation have announced the 2023 Google Future Leaders in Tech Scholarship. The Scholarship was established to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate or Masters students studying for a degree with a tech focus at any university in Australia. The Scholarship allow Indigenous students to access funds to support their studies and can be used for university fees, textbooks, computer hardware, travel and accommodation expenses and other academic and study-related costs. There are two scholarships are available, each valued at $10,000, and applications close on 29 October. Click here to find out more about the 2023 Tech Scholarship!

Chelsea Rowley is one of the inaugural Google Aurora Scholars. Chelsea is a Dharawal woman currently studying at the University of Sydney, and we sat down to chat with her about the impact of the Google Scholarship.

Chelsea Rowley (middle) with Google representatives Candice Bowditch and Marie Efstathiou.

What are you currently studying? Why did you decide to study this?
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours), majoring in neuroscience and mathematics. I wanted to go into the field of neuroscience because it has always been an interest of mine, as I have had exposure to various people living with neurological disorders and diseases from a young age. I enjoyed maths at school and wanted to further my knowledge. Doing a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies allowed me to study both.

How has winning the Aurora 2022 Google scholarship impacted you?

Winning the Aurora 2022 Google scholarship impacted me greatly. It allowed me to update my old laptop to a newer one before my honour’s year. It also paid for resources throughout the year as well.

Why should more Indigenous people (and more Indigenous women in particular) get into STEM?

I think it is important for more Indigenous people, and particularly Indigenous women, to get into STEM as, firstly, it is such a male-dominated industry in regards to getting more women into STEM, but secondly, having more Indigenous people in STEM allows for Indigenous perspectives to be shared and considered. This knowledge and perspective are of such high value, especially regarding research, regardless of the field. 

When you think about your own life, what does success look like for you?

Being happy in what I do. If I love what I’m doing every day, then to me I have succeeded.

What drives you to continue working towards your goals?

My passion for what I do is something that drives me towards my goals with my learning and university. Having that enjoyment for what you do makes you want to learn more and work harder towards that goal.

Why do you think scholarships like the one you were awarded are important for Indigenous students?

Scholarships like this are important for Indigenous students as they can alleviate some financial stress. It also allows Indigenous scholars to access essential resources for their learning that they may not have been able to access without the financial aid provided by scholarships like these. They are also important as they reward students’ successes and can drive them to achieve more.