Headstart helps sisters to graduate together
Sisters Neha and Namrata Bhola of Sippy Downs will share a special bond this month when they graduate together, both with degrees in accounting, from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Neha, 21, said she was delighted her younger sister could graduate with her on April 24, after Namrata, 20, completed her three-year Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree in just two years.
Namrata was able to do this by taking part in USC’s innovative Headstart program while at high school, then doing one extra subject each semester at university and completing summer semester courses.
The two sisters moved from Fiji to Australia with their parents four years ago and both studied at Mountain Creek State High School before starting at USC.
Namrata said her accelerated approach to university study began when the Headstart subjects she studied gained her credit towards her degree.
“I loved Headstart so much,” Namrata said. “It gave me exposure to uni life before I even got there. I was able to learn my way around campus, how uni studies worked, who to approach if I needed help and valuable time management skills.”
Namrata received high distinctions for the university subjects she completed through Headstart, while at the same time doing very well at school and receiving an Overall Position (OP) of 3.
She is now working at the Sunshine Coast Newspaper Company, handling accounts and billing for the Sunshine Coast Daily’s property section.
Neha, who did a double major in accounting and financial planning, is working for Mulraney Accountants at Caloundra. She said she and her sister appreciated the support they received from the academic staff at USC’s Faculty of Business.
“The one-on-one contact time at USC is very helpful,” Neha said. “If I was at a Brisbane university, I wouldn’t be getting that. It’s really nice.”
USC is preparing for its largest graduation ceremony ever on Thursday 24 April with a crowd of 2,600 people expected to witness USC Chancellor John Dobson OAM confer more than 1,000 degrees in the University’s new Indoor Sports Stadium.
— Claire Bruynius