The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has celebrated the achievements of orthoptics students at the 2022 Orthoptics Scholarship and Prize Evening at the Castlereagh Hotel in Sydney in late May.
Professor Toby Newton-John, acting Head of the UTS Graduate School of Health (GHS), welcomed attendees to the celebration and recognised “the tremendous achievements” of the orthoptics students.
With the support of the Moshegov family, this has allowed the establishment of two scholarships to aid commencing students in the master of orthoptics for a number of years
“GHS aims to give students the highest quality evidenced based training possible, so as graduates they are ready to enter to workforce,” said Professor Newton-John. “Our orthoptics students have access to state-of-the-art equipment, advanced teaching spaces and the latest in research software support.
“Events such as this are so important because we want to share our expertise with the industry, and we want industry to tell us about the problems they encounter and where they could use our help to possibly find solutions.”
Professor Newton-John also congratulated Professor Kathryn Rose, Head of Discipline, Orthoptics, and her team for “providing the students with the high-quality teaching, supervision and mentorship which enables them to succeed as well as they do.”
Scholarship and Prize Recipients
The evening marked the formal presentation of numerous prizes and scholarships.
The 2022 Frank Martin Orthoptics Scholarship, presented by Professor Frank Martin, for the student with the highest GPA based on most recently completed tertiary qualification, was awarded to Taylor Troung.
The 2021 Orthoptics Australia Prize, presented by Dr Amanda French, for the graduated student with the highest mark in the professional practice clinical subjects in their final year of the Master of Orthoptics, was awarded to Tina Tan Hui Tao.
The 2022 Lance / Jolly Prize, presented by Mrs Neryla Jolly, for the student who achieved the highest average mark in the Orthoptics course, was awarded to Alana Braxton-Boal.
Dr Con Moshegov Scholarships
On Dr Con Moshegov’s passing in January this year, the Dr Con Moshegov Memorial Award in Orthoptics UTS Fund was established and, to date, has raised nearly $68,000.
“With the support of the Moshegov family, this has allowed the establishment of two scholarships to aid commencing students in the master of orthoptics for a number of years,” said Professor Kathryn Rose, who presented the following inaugural scholarships:
The 2022 UTS Dr Con Moshegov Scholarship for a Student of Refugee Background, awarded to Mirai Al Kaed.
The 2022 out-of-Sydney UTS Dr Con Mosheov Orthoptics Scholarship, for students from a rural, regional, or interstate location, was awarded to Maya Bujas.
Paying tribute to Dr Moshegov, and to thank the Moshegov family for their amazing contributions, Liz Hardy, UTS Chief Advancement Officer, presented Natalie Moshegov and Julian Moshegov with the collection of thoughts that were given to the Moshegov family in honour of his great achievements.
“I had the great pleasure of witnessing the words, the thoughts, and outpouring of sentiment toward Con for what he had achieved throughout what was invariably a stellar career,” said Ms Hardy.
Past recipients of the George Street Eye Centre Scholarship also spoke of Dr Moshegov’s invaluable contribution to ophthalmology and orthoptics.
“I have no doubt that Dr Con Moshegov will be remembered for his generosity, willingness to support, and his remarkable sense of humour. Thank you for everything you did for our profession,” wrote Kryiacos Antoniou.
