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May 4, 2017

IRT supporting lifelong learning through scholarships

Sixty-seven years between scholarship recipients. 

There’s 67 years between the two recipients of IRT’s 2017 Community Scholarship, proving the value of lifelong learning.

The IRT Community Scholarship provides financial assistance to an immediate family member of an IRT Group employee or customer to study at the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (UOW).

IRT, a not-for-profit seniors' lifestyle and care provider, undertakes a range of community programs, which includes supporting access to higher education.

The scholarship will help the successful applicant gain a university qualification in their chosen field.

Two scholarships worth $9,000 each have been awarded to 18-year-old Isaac lambert, and 85-year old Arthur Cowley.

“The two men are proof that age does not discriminate when it comes to a passion for learning,” General Manager of IRT College, Dr David Rosete said.

Isaac completed his HSC last year and is in his first year of studying a Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health.

“I’ve always wanted to help people and have been interested in a career in nursing and medicine,” Isaac said.

“When I finish this degree I aim to study postgraduate medicine at the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of ¾«¶«´«Ã½, becoming a doctor and specialising as an Orthopaedic Surgeon.”

For Arthur however, the scholarship will help fuel his philosophy of lifelong learning, rather than drive career ambitions, as he takes on a Bachelor of Creative Arts/Visual Arts.

Arthur completed his first bachelor’s degree at the age of 48 and has since added another, plus a PhD and a master’s degree across various disciplines.

This time around, he’s relishing the convenience of the internet.

“When I was first studying psychology, journal articles spanned eight universities. Now, it’s all available at the click of a button,” Arthur says.

“I have a natural curiosity – I pick the guts out of it then I get bored witless and go and do something else.

“I often say to people that when they try to take me off to the funeral home, I’ll say ‘I can’t go yet! I’ve got an assignment due’.”

IRT Community Scholarships are awarded to an immediate relative of an IRT employee or customer to help give back to the community.