Yogesh Jha

What course are you doing?

I’m doing a Masters of Public Health.

What was your pathway to studying at the University of Melbourne?

I come from a background in the healthcare industry in Nepal. Having done my graduation in Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging, I worked as a Radiological Technologist for a couple of years in a tertiary care university teaching hospital in Nepal.

Afterwards, I had an opportunity to be associated with the migration health department of the International Organization for Migration, which was working in Nepal in coordination with UNHCR for the resettlement of Bhutanese refugees in developed countries. My work was basically related with radiological screening of refugee migrants for infectious diseases, primarily Tuberculosis. It was there I got introductory exposure to the public health arena and thought it could be an interesting area to work in. I ended up as a as a public health student here at the University of Melbourne after being selected as an AusAID scholar through the Australian Development Scholarship Awards in 2011.

Why did you choose to do your course at the University of Melbourne?

The University of Melbourne has been consistently ranked as a premier academic institution not only in Australia but on a global scale. However, the most important thing that influenced my decision to come here was the flexibility in tailoring the course as per a candidate’s area of interest. Wide ranges of subjects were available as electives and there was also an option to choose a particular stream to specialise in; I’m doing mine in the Global Health Stream.

Apart from that, the University of Melbourne has established itself as a leading organisation in areas of health care and medical research. Academics and curricula were very impressive and it appeared they train the students from global perspectives. After all, Melbourne is one of the most liveable cities of the world, hence I’m pretty sure I made the right decision.

How did you become aware of the Australian Development Scholarship?

Through the internet and national broadsheets in my country that announced applications for postgraduate scholarships.

How did the Australian Development scholarship assist you in your studies?

The scholarship has helped me a lot in my studies. The first and foremost way is the financial support. Being a scholarship recipient, I need not worry about my university tuition fees and in addition I receive living allowances every fortnight, which allows me to concentrate on my studies. I’m also entitled to use various other university facilities, which would have been difficult to access without the scholarship scheme.

Can you recall a particularly interesting day/event during your course?

The first day of the Introductory Academic Program (IAP) was very interesting. It was a unique experience being around 100 scholars in different specialities from 40 different countries around the globe. The introductory speech by the IAP coordinator, Paul Gruba, was very impressive; some of his words have turned out to be lifetime lessons for me.

Describe for us your student life

I have been doing well in my studies. For me, a comprehensive approach to learning is more important rather than just academic curriculum. The university diaspora is very rich in terms of extracurricular activities, there is a chance to network, understand issues of global concerns and every day is full of informative sessions, seminars, and fun, which have all played a significant role in expanding my student life into multidimensional facets. I have been participating in various social, cultural and scientific workshops to enhance my living experience here in Melbourne.

What do you plan to do upon completion of your course, and how will your course assist you?

I haven’t come up with any concrete ideas yet. However, I would definitely love to be associated with global health organisations working in my own country as well as other countries in the near future.

I think that the Master of Public Health at Melbourne University will transform me into a competent Public Health Professional. I am developing day-by-day, and I think by the time I complete my studies, the broader understanding of preventive medicine and population health strategies will help me to utilise my skills and knowledge in the area of global health.