News Archive

A Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student from The University of Western Australia has won UWA's 101st Rhodes Scholarship in 102 years.

Andrés Noé, 24, of North Perth, who completed a Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours in obstetrics and gynaecology, became UWA's seventh Rhodes Scholar in five years, following last year's Rhodes Scholar Amy Steinepreis who was a Masters in International Journalism student.

Mr Noé plans to undertake Master’s Degrees in International Health and Tropical Medicine, and Public Policy, at Britain's prestigious Oxford University.

He joins a distinguished group of UWA Rhodes Scholars, including former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, former WA Premier Geoff Gallop, the late David Malcolm, former WA Chief Justice and Australian business leader Sir Rod Eddington.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said he was delighted that Mr Noé, who also holds a Diploma in Modern Languages, had been awarded the University's 101st Rhodes Scholarship and wished him continued success in his future studies and the development of his career.

"Mr Noé’s selection to study at Oxford recognises an extraordinary level of achievement based on not only great intellect but also character, leadership and commitment to service - qualities that UWA aims to instil in all its students," Professor Johnson said.

Mr Noé, who hopes to become a leader in paediatric public health following in the footsteps of Fiona Stanley, said he was ’extremely humbled’ by his selection and was ‘ready for the challenges ahead’.

“I’ve had incredible help and support from my family – my mother, father and brother – and from my six referees who have supported me through every step of this process,” he said.

“I could not have done it without them.”

Mr Noé commenced studies at UWA in 2009 and was the recipient of a Faculty of Medicine Student Travel Grant in 2012 and 2013 and Australian Education AsiaBound Grant Scholarship in 2013.

A keen athlete, he was an Australian University Games gold medallist in sailing in 2010 and 2013, was on the University Games Touch Rugby Squad in 2012 and qualified for the 70.3 World Ironman Championships in Zell Am See, Austria in 2015.

As part of his study Mr Noé completed international electives at the Himalayan Eye Hospital and Kalika Health Post in Nepal in 2014 and at the Manhica Health Research Centre in Mozambique this year.

He is heavily involved as a youth volunteer and mentor and has been part of the organising committee for the Western Australian Medical Students’ Society (WAMSS) since 2009.

Before his time at UWA, Mr Noé was a prefect at Christ Church Grammar School where he achieved Certificates of Distinction in Physics, English and Chemistry.

Caption: UWA medical student Andrés Noé with WA Governor Dr Kerry Sanderson following his selection as WA’s 2016 Rhodes Scholar

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Media and Public Relations Manager) (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716