Famin Ahmed will be heading to Oxford to obtain her MPP
MinterEllison pro bono solicitor Famin Ahmed has been awarded the first Queensland government-sponsored John Monash Scholarship.
In a media release, the Queensland government confirmed that Ahmed plans to pursue a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford starting September 2024, in the process furthering her goal to improve the way the Australian legal and policy system responds to culturally diverse women facing domestic violence.
As a pro bono lawyer, Ahmed has advised vulnerable members of society, such as women subject to domestic violence. She has also been an advocate for the Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) since 2019.
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Ahmed’s contributions to the WLSQ include her 'Famin Makes' project; proceeds from the sale of her handcrafted hats go to the organisation to fund free legal and social work geared towards helping women and children affected by domestic and family violence (DFV). She has also contributed to systemic law reform in family law and DFV.
Getting the scholarship acknowledges Ahmed’s contribution to Queensland's civic life, MinterEllison said.
“Famin won the scholarship to further her studies and build on the important contribution she is already making to disadvantaged communities in Queensland,” Minister for Education Grace Grace said in the Queensland government’s media release.
Ahmed graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Laws (first-class honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (economic and international relations). This year, she was recognised as a Distinguished Young Alumni by the University of Queensland and as the Emerging Philanthropist of The Year by the Queensland Community Foundation.
“At the end of my career, I want to be remembered for the social change I created to help people suffering disadvantage, and the number of others I inspired to do the same,” Ahmed said in the Queensland government’s media release.
To be eligible for the John Monash scholarship, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- attended a Queensland state school
- first in the family to attend university
- living or being brought up in regional Queensland
- from a low-socioeconomic background
- Indigenous
- coming from a minority ethnic background