Moving abroad to study a Master of Urban Planning didn’t go according to plan for Viviana Silva. The Peruvian student arrived in Melbourne in early 2020, settled into her accommodation, started her course, and then the wave of COVID-19 lockdowns hit. Despite her unsettling start, Viviana loved every minute of her experience at The University of Melbourne.

“I chose Melbourne because I wanted to live in a city where I could learn as an example: a liveable city where urban planning is actively applied. I did get the chance to explore Melbourne a little but the highlight of my time in Australia was my access to the exceptional professors and staff at The University of Melbourne. They truly motivated me to question the existing structures that have allowed for the current levels of social inequity and inspired me to work to reduce them.

“I studied Architecture at the National University of Engineering in Lima Peru and completed courses in territorial management and planning and obtained a diploma in environmental management. However, my best academic experience so far is to have studied at The University of Melbourne — it was such a high-quality education,” she said.

Viviana was awarded the SGS Economics and Planning Graham Larcombe Scholarship for academic excellence and a genuine commitment to addressing inequality and social disadvantage in urban development.

“I am deeply honoured to be awarded the scholarship and feel even more honoured after knowing how talented past recipients of this award are. I am certain that this award, just as it is now encouraging me to confront social inequalities in urban development, will continue to encourage future students," she said.