The Provost’s Scholar Johann Go has scooped another prestigious postgraduate award –a Rhodes scholarship for the academic year 2019.

Johann is currently studying Philosophy and Political Theory at Worcester as a recipient of the Provost’s Scholarship (as a Visiting Student) for 2018. He arrived from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he completed joint Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Health Sciences degrees. As a Rhodes Scholar for 2019, he will study for a Master’s of Philosophy in Political Theory.

The Rhodes scholarship provides transformative opportunities for exceptional all-round students to carry out postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Today the Rhodes Scholarships for New Zealand are a partnership between the Rhodes Trust and the Robertson Foundation, with the application and selection process managed by Universities New Zealand.

The Governor-General of New Zealand, Her Excellency the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, said: ‘New Zealand’s Rhodes Scholars represent the best and brightest of this country’s young people. I was impressed once again by the intelligence and poise of this year’s candidates during the interview process and their obvious enthusiasm for their areas of study.’

Johann says his overarching ambition is to advance the human condition socially, politically and ethically. ‘To do this, I am a firm believer in combining the principles of analytical philosophy and political theory with basic human compassion,’ he commented.

Johann is the graduate student body’s (MCR) BME and Equal Opportunities Representative at Worcester, as well as being the College’s LGBT+ Officer. He has helped with access schemes, volunteered as a tutor with Schools Plus (an outreach organisation for disadvantaged communities), and continues his work with St John Ambulance.

The Provost, Sir Jonathan Bate, said: ‘We are delighted that Johann, one of our first intake of Provost’s Scholars, should be recognised in this way. He has made his mark in the way he contributes to College life and the community, as well as being an academically outstanding student. We wish him every success here and in the path he chooses beyond Oxford.’

The Provost’s Scholarship includes an entire year’s tuition fees, student accommodation, subsidised meals, a stipend, return flights to New Zealand, and access to all University of Oxford facilities. To be eligible, candidates must be in their final undergraduate year at the Universities of Melbourne, Monash, New South Wales, Sydney, the Australian National University, or at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, with options in all Humanities and Social Sciences subjects.

Find out more about graduate scholarships