Congratulations Matthew Han (ON 2014)  the 2018 ONU Centennial Trust recipient.

Pictured: Dr Rod Thomas (ON 1960), Matthew Han (ON 2014) and Dr David Mulford (Headmaster)

Here is Matthew’s story:

Upon leaving Newington in 2014, Matthew was accepted at the University of Cambridge to study Human, Social and Political Sciences.  Matthew achieved a triple First and has accepted an offer from the London School of Economics to study for a MSc in Public Policy.  Matthew is one of the few students to reach a First in every year of his study at Cambridge.

It is Matthew’s passion in policy research and design which has led him to undertake his Master’s.  Matthew has spent the last four years not only focussed on the academic but has also put his efforts behind the practical efforts of his study.  Matthew managed a project in rural Kenya which was an infrastructure project that saw the installation of water and gas into laboratories and the expansion of library spaces.  This gave Matthew  first hand experience of how the leadership of developmental projects such as this can have an ongoing effect on the greater community and a deep appreciation of the carefulness and dynamism that policy creating and implanting requires.

In August 2016 Matthew was chosen to undertake a four- week internship at the Queensland Government’s Trade and Investment Office in Seoul, Republic of Korea.  During this internship Matthew was asked to prepare a report on Korea’s bio and health sectors and inter alia identify potential opportunities for Queensland’s bio and health businesses either in Korea and/or to collaborate with Korea.  At the end of the four weeks, Matthew had produced an 81 page report and his findings and recommendations now underpin the Queensland Government’s bio and health strategy for Korea.

Matthew credits his time at Newington with providing him with the initial curiosity spark and foundations to build his life.  In Matthew’s words “Unparalleled teaching, facilities and the College ethos inspired me to be thinking beyond my immediate and personal sphere and compelled me into questioning how my actions can contribute to a greater society.”  Whilst at Newington Matthew completed the International Baccalaureate with a perfect score of 45.  He credits the IB with uncovering his passion to understand the dynamics of human society and the causes and consequences of human action.

The ONU Centennial Trust will aid Matthew in completing his Master’s at London School of Economics.  Once he completes his Master’s, Matthew hopes to return to Australia to begin work in the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet, or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of their graduate scheme.  The ONU Centennial Trust Panel viewed Matthew as an outstanding candidate for the 2018 award.  The ONU congratulates Matthew and wishes him much success.