University of Melbourne alum Dylan Alcott AO has announced that his organisation, the Dylan Alcott Foundation, will partner with the Faculty of Business and Economics for a new scholarship.
In 2024, two Bachelor of Commerce students will be awarded the Dylan Alcott Foundation Scholarship, receiving a total AU $60,000 during their undergraduate degree.
To be eligible, candidates will be enrolling domestic students who intend to study a Bachelor of Commerce who live with disability.
Dylan graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne in 2016 and announced the scholarship at the Faculty of Business and Economics Foundation Dinner during an interview with fellow alum, The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp AO.
“We're going to put two young Melburnians through the Faculty of Business and Economics so they can get a degree just like I did. I just hope they get better grades than I did,” he joked.
“I know [at one point in my life] I had given up hope, I honestly didn't think my life was going amount to anything. And I think part of that reason is a lot of people that looked at me, probably thought the same thing. There are four and a half million people with disability in this country. Only 54% of them are involved in the workforce. The participation rate has not changed in 31 years. I'm 33. So, my whole life that number hasn't changed. Of the four and a half million people in Australia living with disability, three and a half million are over the age of 20 but only 17% of them have a bachelor's degree. It’s pretty hard to get a job if you're competing against everyone else who has one. Of every single young person who is going to graduate university this year with an undergrad, only 4% will be people with disability.”
The Dylan Alcott Foundation’s mission is to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for young Australians living with disability to fulfil their potential and achieve their dreams.
Through their programs and initiatives, they aim to support and empower young Australians living with disability to pursue their goals whether it be in sport, education, or other vocational ambitions.
"One of the biggest things that I wanted to do was support people with disability in education. We really struggle to get involved in education because of attitudinal and financial barriers. I'm so proud that I was able to get a degree from the University of Melbourne. My parents cried at graduation, their kid who almost died in hospital, wearing a gown. It was massive, and people with disability face so many barriers to get out there and be the people they want to be.”
“I'm so honoured, lucky and grateful that the University of Melbourne found me and listened to my lived experience. They said ‘so, do you want to come to our school? How are we going to do this together?’ That's why my experience was so good.”
"For the young people with disability that are going to apply and get this scholarship, it will be life-changing. It’s a life-changing opportunity.”
“I think it's a pretty beautiful 360; the University of Melbourne took a chance on me and gave me an opportunity so I could be the person that I want to be and now to be able to come back and, and [create this scholarship] together, is pretty cool.”
“This is one of the most generous scholarships available at the Faculty of Business and Economics is proud to have Dylan as an alum,” said Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor Paul Kofman.
“We are grateful to the Dylan Alcott Foundation for partnering with the Faculty to support and encourage the next generation of students to fulfil their potential with higher education.”
“The contributions he has made and continues to make to help young Australians with disabilities achieve their dreams is significant – this scholarship is an extension of the incredible work of Dylan and the Dylan Alcott Foundation.”
The University of Melbourne is committed to becoming a more equitable, diverse and supportive institution with a community of staff and students that reflects the diversity of broader society.
“One in five Australians live with a disability and we aim for provide everybody the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of study, work, and life to the best of their abilities and desires,” said Professor Kofman.