Law graduate Ash Burke was today announced as Tasmania’s Rhodes Scholar for 2027 at a special afternoon tea at Government House.
The Rhodes Scholarship supports exceptional young people to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, while fostering leadership, service and a commitment to making a positive contribution to our world.
As Chair of the Tasmanian Selection Committee, the Governor congratulated all six finalists who reached the interview stage this year, commending their outstanding achievements, dedication and academic excellence across a diverse range of fields.
“Each candidate distinguished themselves through their outstanding academic results as well as their extensive achievements outside the classroom, making the Committee’s deliberations particularly difficult,” Her Excellency said.
“I congratulate Mr Burke on being named Tasmania’s Rhodes Scholar for 2027, and wish every applicant continued success in their future studies and careers.”
Mr Burke, from Hobart, holds a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Tasmania. He was recently admitted as a lawyer following the completion of his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
He said it was a privilege to be named Tasmania’s Rhodes Scholar-elect and that he was looking forward to studying a Bachelor of Civil Law and a MPhil in Law at the University of Oxford.
“I hope to gain the skills and knowledge from these courses to then become a barrister, specialising in precedent setting litigation, to set landmark cases that can affect the rights of thousands of Australians,” Mr Burke said.
Jasper Madsen (left on the picture) was shortlisted among the final six candidates for the Rhodes Scholarship. Well done to Jasper, who has likewise been a great contributor and ambassador for the Law School.
This follows a long tradition and trajectory of Law success: Samantha Climie, School of Law Rhodes Scholar from 4 years ago, attended the ceremony at Government House.
The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded postgraduate award which enables talented people from around the world to study full-time at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship is merit-based, with the purpose of developing public-spirited leaders, and to promote international understanding and peace through an international community of Scholars.
Established through the Will of Cecil John Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship was a truly visionary project for its time. Over a hundred years later, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship programme in the world, enabling outstanding people from around the world to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford
One of the founding aims of the Scholarship was to identify young leaders from around the world who, through the pursuit of education together at Oxford, would forge bonds of mutual understanding and fellowship for the betterment of mankind.
Rhodes Scholars come to the UK for two or more years and can apply to study most full-time postgraduate courses in almost any field offered by Oxford University.
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