Bellberry Limited, the not-for-profit research ethics company, has made a donation of $30,000 to fund travelling fellowships for Flinders students over the next five years.
The Bob Barter Travel Fellowships, named in honour of the recently retired Bellberry director, will assist six students from the Faculty of Health Sciences to undertake placements in Vietnam each year.
Bellberry provides streamlined scientific and ethical review of human research projects across Australia, and donates surplus funds back into the research community.
Professor Paul Worley, Dean of the School of Medicine, presented Mr Barter with a certificate of appreciation, expressing the University’s gratitude for Bellberry’s ongoing support of Flinders through this and other grants programs, including the interim support of research students seeking National Medical Health and Research Council funding.
At the presentation ceremony, Flinders graduate Sally Walker spoke of her recent experiences as one of 14 students to undertake a community health placement in hospitals and clinics in urban and rural Vietnam.
“The experience went above and beyond my expectations,” Ms Walker said.
“Increased initiative, planning, problem-solving and communication skills are just some of the qualities that I have developed on this trip, attributes that are sought after in the health work force.
“The cultural immersion has broadened our perspectives outside of Australian culture, increasing our cultural awareness and understanding, enabling the delivery of compassionate care to multicultural people.”