Scholarship Awarded

The Catenian Charity Inc has announced university scholarships for 2018. In the decade since its formation, the Youth Support Fund has made grants; and scholarships and bursaries totalling over $70,000 helping young people develop their faith and assisting others pursue tertiary education. And now the newly formed Catenian Charity has awarded its first scholarship since inception in 2017.

Ashleigh Habkouk is congratulated and welcomed as the inaugural recipient of the Catenian Charity Inc scholarship of $5,000 per annum for the duration of her studies towards a degree as a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle campus.

    She completed her secondary education at Mt. St Benedict College Pennant Hills in New South Wales in 2015. Ashleigh has moved 4,000 kilometres from home, leaving her parents and siblings to achieve her dream of becoming a medical practitioner. She commenced her studies at Notre Dame in Fremantle in mid-2016 and resides at the Notre Dame community campus in Fremantle meeting her basic living expenses from a youth allowance from Centre Care, falling within the Australian Taxation Office criteria of being a  “necessitous” recipient of a scholarship.

    Ashleigh is reading Biomedical Science to provide her with necessary fundamental knowledge that is useful in medical school. Studying at Notre Dame has also enabled her to coincide any scientific studies with theological, philosophical and ethical studies.

    Ashleigh is described by one of the Professors at Notre Dame as a person who has demonstrated considerable courage and determination by moving away from home as a school leaver to follow her dream. “She has managed this difficult transition exceptionally well,” he writes, “maintaining an outstanding academic record during her studies with 12 high distinctions and two distinctions in the past three semesters.”

    Ashleigh exemplifies the Catholic ethos of the University of Notre Dame and is deeply committed to community service as an active member of the Notre Dame volunteer network. Since arriving in Western Australia, she has volunteered in numerous ways including as a ward volunteer on the geriatric ward at Royal Perth Hospital and also as an event volunteer for the Starlight Foundation. In 2018 she will be acting as a student ambassador for the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle and will also be an iTrack Mentor for the Smith Family Foundation.

    “Medicine is my vocation,” Ashleigh writes, “and coming to Notre Dame was my calling. I truly love it here because it embodies the Catholic morale and faith that I have instilled within me.”