2022 CBA John Monash Scholar announced

This year’s Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholarship will help a leading Australian mechanical engineering graduate who is working in the nuclear power industry undertake a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at London Business School.

The General Sir John Monash Foundation awards postgraduate scholarships to Australians who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and who wish to study overseas.

Commonwealth Bank first started sponsoring the scholarship program back in 2004, and since then, has helped many young Australians to grow their academic and industry networks, to deliver outcomes that inspire and benefit both the country and the globe.  

In 2022, Timothy Rownes became one of just 18 selected recipients (from a field of 245 candidates) to receive a scholarship from the Sir John Monash Foundation. 

Mr Rownes has a Bachelor of both Engineering and Science and a Master of Engineering Science from the University of New South Wales. Since graduating he has worked at ANSTO’s OPAL research reactor and in planning operations for the Hanhikivi-1 nuclear power plant in Finland.

The scholarship will allow Tim to undertake an MBA at London Business School with a focus on sustainable corporate strategies and responsible business practices in the energy sector.

According to Mr Rownes, he will apply this knowledge to decarbonising the electricity grid and supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions.

Commonwealth Bank Managing Director of Quants, Data, Analytics and Technology, David Watts, said the bank was proud to help Australians build skills and talents that can benefit the country.

“The rigorous selection process for these scholarships identifies people who are emerging as leaders in their respective fields and who stand to make significant contributions,” Mr Watts said.

“We are delighted to support Tim during this important stage in his career development. His ambitions to support Australia’s transition to a more sustainable future align with our own, and we’re confident this scholarship will provide him with plenty of powerful insights and inspiration.”