There was a surprise in store for Bachelor of Medical Science first year Rachel Chipere following the inaugural Tertiary Studies and Careers Expo in Adelaide (TSCEA).

She won a $2000 bursary and promptly paid off some her university fees.

The bursary is awarded by the TSCEA panel to a prospective tertiary student based on criteria such as academic background, equity issues, demographic and genuine need to start tertiary studies.

Ms Chipere is from a single-parent family that emigrated to Australia in 2009. Her passion is medicine and science and she plans to become a doctor. In the meantime she works at a retail store in the city to help fund her studies but says money is always tight.

“The award was so unexpected,” Ms Chipere said.

Flinders University is a sponsor of TSCEA, which began last year as an annual one-stop-shop for people wanting to explore tertiary studies, training and career options.

This year’s event is on Sunday 19 and Monday 20 June 2011 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.