Scholar Veda Dawoonauth shares her scholarship journey to date

Current Australia Awards scholar and recipient of the 2023 Sandra Vegting Leadership Prize, Veda Dawoonauth, mobilised to Australia in 2023 to study a Master of Cyber Security at the University of Queensland.

She shared the following about her scholarship journey this far:
“Embarking on my postgraduate journey at UQ through an Australia Awards Scholarship has been an enriching experience. Pursuing a Master of Cyber Security presents challenges, but it is a fascination and rewarding endeavour.
To broaden my knowledge and connect with professions in this domain, I actively sought opportunities that could provide valuable insights. Over the past two months, I was fortunate to attend the following conferences:

• The 4th Annual Digital Forensics Research Conference – APAC (Oct 2024): Volunteering and attending this conference in Brisbane allowed me to gain exposure to cutting-edge advancements in digital forensics. I explored the dynamics of this field from both academic and industry perspectives. 
• APIGA 2024 (Nov 2024): Held in Melbourne, this event offered a comprehensive platform to delve into critical topics on Internet governance and cyber security. The mentorship provided during the program, particularly in navigating the model called Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), made it an exceptionally enriching experience. 
• The 3rd Annual FinCrime and Cybersecurity Summit (Nov 2024): Organised by Transform Finance in Melbourne, this summit provided deep insights into combatting financial crimes and strengthening cyber security frameworks in the financial sector. 

These experiences have deepened my understanding of bridging the gap between law and cybersecurity, fueling my passion for this evolving field. The invaluable connections and knowledge gained inspire me to continue this journey of discovery and professional development.”