UNSW Business School students awarded $4m in prizes

Talented UNSW Business School students presented scholarships at annual awards ceremony. ​

A Siberian MBA student was among 300 of the best and brightest UNSW Business School students awarded scholarships and prizes worth an estimated total of $4 million.

Andrey Pankeev, a full-time student at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), took home the Professor Wanbil Lee Prize for Ethical Leaders in Business at the 2019 Business School Award Ceremony on Wednesday 12 June.  

Mr Pankeev delivered the student vote of thanks, sharing key lessons from his experiences and acknowledging the donors and staff on behalf of his fellow students.

"I come from a small scientific town in Academgorodok, Siberia. I worked with Procter&Gamble as the Gillette Brand Manager responsible for Eastern European markets during a time of enormous political upheaval between Ukraine and Russia. Among other priceless lessons, I learned one essential thing," Mr Pankeev said.

"Personal relationships are as important as business results. You maximise value when you manage to achieve a synergy between the two. It is people that matter."

Professor Wanbil Lee established the Prize for Ethical Leaders in Business to recognise the importance of solving organisational challenges in ethical ways.

"Thank you to each and every person who supports us as students and helps relax financial pressures through scholarship programs," Mr Pankeev said. 

"Thank you to all UNSW teachers and professors who have given me, and all students here, the reason to come every day and study hard… I am grateful for this unique opportunity to be and study among such bright individuals."

The annual Awards Ceremony celebrates the academic achievements of the School's highest performing undergraduate and postgraduate students and the generosity of scholarship donors who help make those accomplishments possible.

Other notable achievements include the Dean's Award for Service, presented to Saul Brady (Undergraduate), Khatereh Shiran and Shirin Shiran (Postgraduate), Andy Tasnavites (AGSM) and William Fourie (Research).  

In addition, the Gail Kelly Global Leaders Scholarship was presented to Brandon Pham. Under the scholarship, Mr Pham will travel to South Africa and spend a semester at Cape Town University.  

UNSW Business School Dean, Professor Chris Styles said, "By receiving a prize or scholarship at university, we are saying to our students – you can! This recognition can provide the confidence a student needs to address the opportunities and challenges they will encounter in their future." 

"Having someone believe in your talents, be willing to back you and possibly even in some cases provide mentoring support is truly a remarkable gift.

"Thanks to our donors for supporting the business leaders of tomorrow – many of you are alumni and are making a powerful statement by giving back to your University."

View photos from the evening on our Facebook page and visit the UNSW Business School Awards Ceremony event page for a full list of recipients.