Caleb McKenna: from UWA Fogarty Scholar to Rhodes Scholar

In a momentous achievement, UWA Fogarty Scholar Caleb McKenna has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for Western Australia in 2024. This Scholarship, known for its history and prestige, will see Caleb pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, joining an international community of scholars with a commitment to making a positive impact.  He will be joining four fellow UWA Fogarty Scholars to have received this prestigious scholarship.

The selection process for the Rhodes Scholarship was rigorous, with Caleb and five other exceptional candidates interviewed by the selection committee. The criteria included academic excellence, character, service commitment, leadership, and moral integrity. Caleb's qualities and significant achievements to date made him stand out. 

The Rhodes Scholarship, founded in 1903 at the University of Oxford, is the world's oldest and most renowned graduate scholarship. It has a strong tradition of supporting scholars who strive to make the world a better place. The Western Australia Rhodes Scholarship, initiated in 1904, recognises outstanding individuals annually. 

Caleb's journey from a UWA Fogarty Scholar to a Rhodes Scholar is a testament to his unwavering dedication to education, service, and leadership. His story is an inspiration to students and scholars, motivating them to pursue their goals with determination. Caleb holds a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) and a Master of Professional Engineering and is a passionate student of engineering science. His recent work co- founding Enitiate aided him to stand out during the selection process. Enitiate aims to develop community-minded engineers by allowing them to develop professional and technical skills while working with social enterprises. 

Enitiate works with various community partners to develop a project scope focused on a technical problem the partner is facing. Enitiate's project teams of engineering students then explore potential solutions to these technical problems and present them to their partners. 

As a Rhodes Scholar, Caleb will continue his academic endeavours to join over a hundred scholars from various backgrounds. The Scholarship fully funds postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, providing the opportunity to learn from top professors, collaborate with peers worldwide, and engage in research that contributes to society's betterment. 

In October 2024, Caleb will commence his academic journey at Oxford, carrying with him the hopes and best wishes of his Western Australian community excited to see the positive impact he will create in the future. 

To learn more about our UWA Fogarty Scholars, including Caleb, they can be found at our online Scholar database.