When the 39-year-old Nambour mum graduated in front of her two young sons and friends at a recent University of the Sunshine Coast ceremony, she received not only a degree but a University Medal for her near-perfect grade point average of 6.82 out of 7.

“I’m feeling elated to be graduating with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a University Medal for Academic Excellence,” Ruth said.

“My experience studying at UniSC has been life-changing. It was the best decision I have ever made to rebuild our life.

“I have grown from being an apprehensive single mother to someone who has hope for a better future for ourselves and others.”

She said the study journey at UniSC was “amazing”.

“It started in 2020, after a lot of pushing from my friends. I was very nervous and thought I couldn’t do it.

“I had last studied in 2006, a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hanoi University of Technology in Vietnam.

“My diverse professional background encompassed research assistant, mechanical assistant and a decade-long proprietorship of a business that hired out earthworks machines and installed fire suppression systems in the mining industry.”

When deciding on a future path, Ruth was inspired by her own family and her children’s school.

“My mother is a biologist and I was fascinated with science but I got sidetracked and studied languages.

“Biomedical Science was a good choice. We study diseases and I hope that with my knowledge and effort, together with other scientists, we can help people.”

She is now studying towards Honours in medical science.

“My focus is on bone biology – particularly early-onset osteoporosis in Down Syndrome, using a human stem cell model.

“I decided on this topic after seeing some children with Down Syndrome struggling with the condition when I helped at my children’s school.

“My aspiration is to further this research through an industry doctorate or to work in clinical trial management.”