A “Corona Warrior” helping patients in India was among the University of Newcastle’s (UoN) high achieving graduates recognised at the Alumni Excellence Awards.
Dr Nashwa Najib, who studied a Master of Philosophy (Medicine) at the uni, collected the Young Alumni Award on Thursday night for showing tremendous tenacity, compassion and determination working overseas during the pandemic.
The special function, staged at the University of Newcastle, acknowledged the fantastic efforts of its former students in 11 categories, from regional leadership to volunteering.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said the ceremony highlighted the qualities that had seen the alumni succeed after graduating.
“Students from the University of Newcastle are achieving great things from a local and an international perspective,” he explained.
“So, continuing to recognise and celebrate their deeds is important.
“We have seen some outstanding alumni, who’ve made a really positive difference to the world.
“Take, Nashwa for example.
“At the height of COVID, she would consult almost 300 patients during a six-hour shift and, when the hospital ran out of ICU beds, she made the decision to assess people in vehicles or ambulances upon arrival.
“Nashwa’s unwavering dedication to them secured her the honorary title of ‘Corona Warrior’ for her medical services to the hospital.
“We have a network of more than 161,000 graduates across 152 countries.
“I hope their achievements are an inspiration for both our current students and people who are about to complete their HSC and might be wondering what the future holds for them.
“Our message to them is – there’s a place for you at our university and it can be an incredible springboard for your career.”
Dr Amandeep Hansra, who received the National Leadership Award and studied a Bachelor of Medicine, credits her experience at the University of Newcastle for helping her to become a leader within her field.
“The uni motivated me to want to do something great,” she said.
“Not to just accept the status quo, but to really change the whole system.”
It is Dr Hansra’s entrepreneurship and leadership that led her to instrumental roles in telehealth services such as Medibank’s Nurse Triage and GP After Hours, as well as Telstra’s Readycare, for which she served as the CEO and medical director.
Local solicitor and Bachelor of Law alumni Elizabeth McLaughlin took home the Regional Leadership Award.
She has spent her career committed to making positive and constructive contributions to her community.
Ms McLaughlin worked as an associate to a Judge of the High Court of Australia.
As a mentor of Newcastle law students, she also established the Making the Leap program that encourages young women in the Hunter to join the bar.
Professor David Newman was honoured with the prestigious Alumni Medal for Professional Excellence for his work as a world authority on the effects of G forces on pilots.
Not to be outdone, former Merewether local Mike Exton, who now heads up a $4 billion global cardiovascular business, secured the International Leadership Award.
Full list of award winners (and degrees):
- Alumni Medal for Professional Excellence: Professor David Newman – PhD (Human Physiology) 2001
- Newton-John Alumni Medal: Glendyn Ivin – Bachelor of Arts Graphic Design 1994
- Convocation Medal for Exceptional Contribution: Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts AM
- International Leadership Award: Dr Michael Exton – Bachelor of Science (Honours) 1993, PhD (psychology Science) 1996
- National Leadership Award: Dr Amandeep Hansra – Bachelor of Medicine 2003
- Regional Leadership Award: Elizabeth McLaughlin – Bachelor of Laws 2003
- Beryl Nashar Young Researcher Award: Dr Aaron Elbourne (Bachelor of Teaching 2011/Bachelor of Science (Honours) 2012, PhD 2017
- Indigenous Alumni Award: Professor Ngiare Brown – Bachelor of Medicine 1992
- Young Alumni Award (joint recipient): Dr Nashwa Najib – Master of Philosophy (Medicine) 2018
- Young Alumni Award (joint recipient): Rebecca Silberberg – Bachelor of Business 2007, Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice 2010
- Alumni Award for Outstanding Volunteerism: Captain Faiz Kamaludin – Master of Aviation Management 2011
