IT graduate becomes the first in her family to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Sydney

For Mumbai IT graduate Sana Hussain Shaikh, pursuing a master’s degree overseas once seemed like a distant dream—one that would have to wait until she could earn enough to fund it herself.

That dream has now become a reality.

Sana has been awarded a fully funded scholarship worth more than $100,000 to undertake a Master of Computer Science at the University of Sydney, becoming the first scholar selected through the university’s partnership with the Aseema Charitable Trust.

The scholarship covers tuition fees and major costs associated with studying and living in Australia, opening the door to an opportunity that Sana and her family could not have afforded independently.

For Sana, however, the scholarship represents far more than an academic achievement.

Raised in an informal settlement in Mumbai, she is the eldest of three children. Her father supported the family by selling vegetables on the streets of the city. Watching him work every day, regardless of the challenges, taught Sana the meaning of what she describes as “quiet determination”.

That determination has shaped her own journey.

Sana has been part of the Aseema Charitable Trust’s education programme since primary school. Her association with the organisation continued through its alumni programme, which provided support and access to educational resources during her undergraduate studies.

She went on to complete a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the University of Mumbai, while working part-time to help contribute towards her college expenses.

Until recently, Sana had expected to pursue her master’s degree while continuing to work and support her family. The scholarship has changed that trajectory, giving her the opportunity to study at one of Australia’s leading universities without placing the financial burden of overseas education on her family.

Sana met members of the University of Sydney and NSW Government delegations at a reception hosted by NSW Premier Chris Minns in Mumbai on Wednesday evening, marking an important moment in her journey from Mumbai to Sydney.

“My family genuinely cannot fund a master’s degree abroad on their own, and this scholarship is what turns Sydney from a distant idea into something real for us,” Sana said.

She also reflected on what the opportunity means to her father, who she says never imagined that his daughter would travel abroad.

“Somewhere along the way, without ever saying it outright, he started allowing himself to dream that his daughter could achieve something like this,” she said.

“That alone means more to me than I can fully put into words.”

Sana’s ambitions extend beyond her own education. After completing her Master of Computer Science, she plans to return to India and work as a software engineer. She hopes to use her skills to support her family, improve their living circumstances and develop technology that can enhance the safety of women and older people.

The scholarship is also significant for the University of Sydney, which has a longstanding commitment to widening access to education.

University of Sydney Vice-President (External Engagement) Kirsten Andrews welcomed Sana to the university, describing her as a deserving recipient who had worked hard for the opportunity.

“We’re delighted to welcome Sana to the University of Sydney. She has worked hard for this opportunity, and we’re proud she is the first scholar selected through our partnership with Aseema,” Andrews said.

She added that the university’s commitment to widening access to education was reflected in the scholarship.

“This scholarship is a practical way to make sure financial circumstances do not determine who gets to pursue postgraduate study,” she said.

For Sana, the journey ahead represents both a personal milestone and a promise to her family. From watching her father sell vegetables on Mumbai’s streets to preparing to study computer science in Sydney, her story is one of determination, opportunity and the transformative power of education.

Her scholarship may take her thousands of kilometres from home, but the purpose behind her journey remains firmly rooted in where she began—and in the family whose sacrifices helped make her dreams possible.