On Thursday the 26th September, Linda Whitfield, Kristin Larsen and Thuli Mashabane from the Foundation, headed to Stellenbosch University to share a wonderful evening with our 2024 Post Graduate cohort. The event was hosted by Stellenbosch University at Die Stal and we were all treated to wonderful canapés and wine while we had a change to mingle.
This is always one of our favourite events as we get to meet with our current students and fellows. As the Foundation supports a diverse range of studies across all faculties; this always leads to dynamic and interesting conversations with our students. We are very proud to support this wonderful cohort and we look forward to seeing them reach their graduation goals.
“The Harry Crossley Foundation has been instrumental in shaping my academic journey, allowing me to pursue my passion for medical research without the constant worry of financial constraints. As a recipient of the Harry Crossley Honours bursary, I have been able to focus on my studies and research, particularly in the field of neuroscience, which requires significant dedication and resources. This funding has provided not only financial support but also a sense of validation and encouragement, affirming my commitment to contributing meaningful knowledge to the medical science field. The foundation’s belief in my potential has motivated me to strive for excellence. Without this support, the pursuit of my goals would have been much more challenging. This bursary has been life changing and I am deeply grateful for receiving it.” – Abigail Calitz, BScHons Medical Physiology student
“My name is Suzanne Human. I am a PhD (Psychology) candidate at Stellenbosch University, working on developing a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-based mental health intervention for children in Grades 5-7 from public primary schools in South Africa where Community Keepers has offices, to be facilitated to them by their parents (legal guardians / primary caregivers). Had I not received funding from the Harry Crossley Foundation (HCF), I would have had to take on more working hours as a part-time psychology lecturer at Varsity College to support myself financially and fund my research. Working more hours as a part-time psychology lecturer would have made it exceptionally difficult, dare I say impossible, to have made the progress that I have made thus far on this PhD journey. Funding from the HCF has made it possible for me to meet with my supervisors, research participants, school principals and educators, and Community Keepers staff members during regular working hours. Being allowed to spend the HCF funding in whichever ways I need to be it snacks for research participants, photocopies of informed consent forms, petrol for my car to get to the research sites, and/or groceries for myself, has been such a relief as well.” – Suzanne Human, PhD Psychology student
“Towards the end of my MSc, a close friend told me about the Harry Crossley Foundation and the positive impact the Scholarship had on his MSc studies. This convinced me to apply for the Harry Crossley Scholarship for my PhD, which I was fortunate enough to be awarded two years ago. The Harry Crossley Scholarship enabled me to pursue a PhD in Physics at Stellenbosch University and expand on the research in Quantum Information Science which I started during my MSc. The generosity of the Harry Crossley Scholarship, as well as the recent addition of an option to renew PhD funding for a third year of study, has allowed me to concentrate on my studies without the burden of financial concerns, and allowed me to conduct research of the highest possible quality. The Harry Crossley Scholarship has also enabled me to continue tutoring for the Physics Department at Stellenbosch University, which in turn has given me the opportunity to support and inspire many other students. Last, but certainly not least, the friendly administrative staff, caring trustees and enthusiastic fellow students make the overall experience with the Harry Crossley Foundation a very pleasant one.” – Conrad Strydom, PhD Physics student