East Timorese journalism student made welcome

Edward O'Daly

15 August 2006: The inaugural Warren Osmond Scholarship recipient will be taught by a former student of the man in whose memory the scholarship was founded.

Journalism convenor Jennifer Kitchener studied under journalist and academic Dr Osmond and will teach the first student to receive the scholarship, budding East Timorese journalist Hitu de Jesus.

Ms Richter (left) said her husband would have been proud to have helped Mr de Jesus (right) promote high quality journalism in East Timor Photo: Edward O'Daly

The scholarship program, funded jointly by the Friends of Warren Osmond, the University and AusAID, includes English language training, a journalism degree and mentoring for a student from East Timor with an interest in journalism.

A respected Australian academic and journalist with a special interest in international affairs, Dr Osmond highlighted issues relating to East Timorese students in Australia and the involvement of Australian universities in
re-establishing the university at Dili not long before his death.

"He's someone I have never met, but whose influence will change my life," Mr de Jesus said at an official welcome to the University last week.

Mr de Jesus highlighted the importance of quality journalism to his home country, praising the journalists who "kept telling the truth" about the plight East Timor.

Dr Osmond's widow Juliet Richter said Mr de Jesus was an "appropriate" recipient of the scholarship before sharing some insights into her husband - his character, dress sense, and determination.

"He was not a big name or a star, but, as we all know, the world is not made a better place to live just by stars and heroes," she said.