Dr. Ragavi Jeyakumar is deeply committed to advancing health equity and aims to enhance the fairness and accessibility of Australia’s healthcare system. Recently, she has been named the NSW Rhodes Scholar for 2025, marking her as the fourth alumna from UNSW Medicine & Health to earn this prestigious scholarship in the past five years. Dr. Ragavi Jeyakumar completed her Bachelor of Medical Studies, Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons) Class I, and Doctor of Medicine at UNSW in 2023, and she is currently serving as a junior doctor at Liverpool Hospital. Expressing her feelings about being selected as this year’s NSW Rhodes Scholar, she described the experience as “very surreal” and emphasized her determination to maximize her time at Oxford, feeling a profound responsibility to learn and develop in order to better serve her communities upon her return. Professor Vlado Perkovic, the Provost and acting Vice-Chancellor and President at UNSW Sydney, extended his congratulations to Dr. Jeyakumar, expressing his excitement over her achievement. He remarked on the significance of her receiving the Rhodes Scholarship, recognizing it as a well-deserved acknowledgment of her exceptional academic success, and wished her the best in her studies at Oxford. Dr.Ragavi Jeyakumar is set to embark on a doctoral program in Women’s and Reproductive Health at Oxford University. Her strong dedication to health equity drives her ambition to investigate innovative approaches that can enhance the accessibility and fairness of Australia’s healthcare system for all individuals. This passion is rooted in her personal experiences of observing significant health disparities during her upbringing in rural New South Wales.
“I have witnessed community members suffering from conditions that could have been easily prevented and have seen my friends face challenges in accessing mental and reproductive health services,” Dr. Ragavi Jeyakumar remarked. “My goal is to identify strategies that will render our health system more equitable, accessible, and culturally safe, ensuring it adequately serves all Australians, including First Nations peoples, women, and those from rural or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. I am enthusiastic about learning from the varied perspectives within the Oxford and Rhodes communities, who share a commitment to fostering positive change globally. I am determined to maximize this opportunity for personal growth and knowledge acquisition, enabling me to return and promote advancements in women’s health in rural Australia.”Professor Merlin Crossley, a former Rhodes Scholar and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Quality at UNSW, remarked that the Rhodes Scholarship stands as the oldest and one of the most esteemed international scholarship programs, facilitating the opportunity for young individuals to pursue their studies at Oxford University. He praised Ragavi as an exceptional student and expressed anticipation for her continued academic success, emphasizing her potential to contribute to the enhancement of healthcare in rural areas.
Professor Cheryl Jones, Dean of Medicine & Health at UNSW, noted the challenging task faced by the selection committee each year in choosing a single student from New South Wales among a remarkable group of candidates. She expressed delight that another student from the Faculty of Medicine & Health has been honored, marking the third recognition in four years, and conveyed pride in Ragavi’s achievement. Dr. Jeyakumar, who immigrated from Sri Lanka at the age of six and was raised in the New South Wales towns of Wee Waa and Guyra, completed her education in Armidale. She views the Rhodes Scholarship as a significant opportunity for both personal and academic development, eager to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Dr. Jeyakumar expressed her enthusiasm for the chance to challenge her own perspectives and learn from the varied viewpoints within the Oxford and Rhodes communities, which are filled with individuals dedicated to fostering positive change globally. She aspires that these experiences will enhance her ability to serve her communities effectively. Beyond her medical pursuits, Dr. Jeyakumar enjoys playing the flute and piano, as well as writing. Additionally, she has dedicated time to volunteering with Lifeline Australia and various community organizations that support vulnerable populations in Armidale and Coffs Harbour.
