UNiDAYS Students Awards have finally finished! Thank you to everyone who participated, we loved reading through your responses and are so proud of our amazing community.

Now, without further ado, let’s meet our winners! Congratulations on your win, and we can’t wait to see what you do in the future♡

Adobe’s Creativity Champion

🏆Felicity Stratton🏆

Area of study?

Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) at RMIT University.

What inspired you to enter the Student Awards?

I have dedicated the last four years of my life to studying good design and I wanted to highlight my achievements by putting myself forward for this award.

Tell us why creativity is important to you.

Creativity inspires good innovation and forward thinking. These are key ideas to allow improvement in the way we live as a society.

Who or what inspires you?

Independent self-made people inspire me. Those who see a problem in society and take a chance to make a positive change.

Tell us about your future plans…

I am kicking off my design career and seeing where it takes me. Currently, I am working in product design and volunteering at a startup that focuses on good design in financial education. I am excited about the endless possibilities.

P.E. Nation’s Go-Getter

🏆Jacinta Lidonni🏆

Area of study?

Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at the Swinburne University of Technology.

What inspired you to enter the Student Awards?

I was inspired to enter the student awards as I have immense respect for the brands who sponsor the awards and I love exploring new opportunities. This award was great motivation to keep on track with my career and studies and, of course, I love P.E Nation wear!

What is it about working in the mental health space that you’re passionate about?

After the pandemic, so many young people are readjusting to day to day life and are facing new challenges exacerbated by emerging technologies. I am passionate about using technology to support young people, pursue values of compassion and empathy and ultimately, empowering others to live a healthy life.

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by the energy, kindness and success of those around me. I am fortunate enough to have incredibles mentors, colleagues, friends and family who have given me immense support and in the future, I hope to do the same.

Tell us about your future plans…

Over the next year, I will be completing my studies and hope to take my experience overseas! I would love to spend some time abroad either pursuing further education or working in the environmental, social and governance consultant industry.

Samsung’s Innovation Sensation

🏆Sheeren Khalifa🏆

Instagram Handle: @sheerenkhalifa

Area of study?

Bachelor of Pharmacy at The University of Sydney.

What inspired you to enter the Student Awards?

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”. I had just finished working on an interactive children’s book with a group of friends and I felt hyped on ideas, check out her book here. I randomly discovered the student awards and I thought I’d give it a go, because …why not! And the rest is history.

Tell us why innovation and education is important to you.

Education has always been a priority to me. As an avid supporter of animation and presentations I’ve continuously volunteered to help my peers and they recently voted me as ‘Fairy Godmother of Pharmacy’ so I must’ve done something right! I truly believe that through innovative thinking we can find the joy in learning.

Who or what inspires you?

I randomly have these 'eureka' moments which trigger a chain reaction of ideas in my mind, it’s a great feeling! So, for me, it’s not about the source of inspiration but rather the people who help keep it alive - from my mother to my friends, I wouldn’t be here without their constant support.

Tell us about your future plans…

I’m honoured Samsung and UNiDAYS have decided to award me with this prize for it will definitely help bring my ideas to life.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working in pharmacy and I’d like to take a step further and use my skills to study medicine and become a doctor.

In the meantime, I’m excited to undergo my pharmacy internship while working on a research project at USYD. We’re looking at how we can improve education delivery to help our future pharmacists become better prepared to work in palliative care.

My schedule will be full of adventures next year but I’m praying all my hard work and effort will pay off in the end. “The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next so keep climbing.”

UNiDAYS’ Wild Card

🏆Shea-Cara Hammond🏆

Instagram Handle: @sheacarah_

Area of study?

Doctor of Medicine at the University of Wollongong.

What inspired you to enter the Student Awards?

The UNiDAYS Students Award email came along at a great time and I am excited to have won! I had recently decided to challenge myself and pursue such opportunities without worrying about the outcome. Plus, I will happily utilise any platform to promote the importance of women’s health.

What drives your passion for advocating for women’s health?

All women remain disproportionately disadvantaged in the healthcare setting due to gender inequality and discrimination. Every woman should have the right to access safe, affordable and holistic medical care across their lifespan. I hope to continue advocating for improved health literacy, body autonomy and believing women’s pain.

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by the incredible women in medicine I see advocating for their patients and each other. I am also grateful to these same women who share their knowledge and time in an environment that is not always conducive to it, all while creating space for future doctors.

Tell us about your future plans…

I have officially reached the halfway mark of my studies and hope to fill the next two years by pursuing more opportunities working in women’s health. I particularly want to develop a deeper insight into the barriers women face in accessing healthcare and what current health technologies need to be expanded to improve this.