Ian Harper AO Scholarship for Excellence 2025
The Ian Harper AO Scholarship for Excellence is a prestigious award recognizing outstanding international students enrolling in the Full-time MBA program at Melbourne Business School. This merit-based scholarship supports MBA candidates who exhibit academic excellence and exceptional leadership qualities.
Scholarship Details
- Value: Full tuition
- Programs Covered: Full-time MBA
- Eligibility: Open to international applicants who receive an offer of admission to the Full-time MBA program.
- Application Process: Only available to Full-time MBA applicants. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
Application Deadlines
- Closing Date: 28 April 2025
- Shortlist Announcement: From 5 May 2025
- Interviews Conducted: From 12 May 2025
- Outcome Notification: From 19 May 2025
Apply Here
About the Ian Harper AO Scholarship for Excellence
The Ian Harper AO Scholarship for Excellence honors Professor Ian Harper, a distinguished academic, former Dean of Melbourne Business School, and one of Australia’s most influential economists. This scholarship celebrates his legacy by fostering a new generation of business leaders dedicated to innovation and community leadership.
In December 2023, Melbourne Business School launched a fund to support this scholarship, thanks to generous contributions from the alumni community. As a result, funding has been secured to provide this Full-time MBA scholarship for international students in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
This scholarship is designed for candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, a global perspective, and a strong ambition to make an impact as respected leaders in business and society.
About Professor Ian Harper AO
Professor Ian Harper dedicated over 20 years to teaching at the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Business School before taking on key public roles, including:
- Chair of the Australian Fair Pay Commission
- Chair of the Competition Policy Review
- Board Member of the Reserve Bank of Australia
In 2018, Professor Harper returned to Melbourne Business School as Dean, where he strengthened the school’s relationships with business, the community, and the University of Melbourne. His leadership and contributions left a lasting impact on students and business leaders worldwide.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Professor Harper’s farewell message on LinkedIn received an outpouring of appreciation from alumni and industry leaders. Asif Iqbal, a payments team leader at Hewlett Packard in Austin, Texas, shared his fond memories:
“Some of my best memories from MBS were Professor Ian Harper’s lectures. I hope he continues to contribute, and we get to learn from his insights and experience.”
In his final video message to the Melbourne Business School community, Professor Harper emphasized the importance of sustaining the school’s legacy:
“Deans come and go, but what remains is the ethos of the School and the alumni. You will be alumni of Melbourne Business School for the rest of your lives. Keep the flame alive, keep this institution growing, and ensure it continues to unleash ideas and leaders for generations to come.”
The Ian Harper AO Scholarship for Excellence is a tribute to his vision, ensuring that future MBA students continue to benefit from the life-changing opportunities offered at Melbourne Business School.
