School of Law Students Get Emma Smith Overseas Scholarships

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Two School of Law students have won prestigious Emma Smith Overseas Scholarships. 

Ms Siddharthiya Pillay, specialising in the Medical field, and Ms Claire Gillespie in the area of Business, are both Master of Law candidates. 

The Emma Smith Overseas Scholarship is awarded to top-performing female postgraduate students living in the eThekwini Municipality region. 

‘I am very grateful to UKZN and the Emma Smith Trust,’ said Pillay. ‘There are many people, including family, friends and mentors, who have helped me to get this far, and this scholarship is a testament to them.’

Pillay has completed two degrees summa cum laude in Biomedical Science and received numerous accolades during her studies including the Norma Beare Memorial Prize for the highest aggregate in third-year Biology and the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship. 

She intends to pursue a doctorate in innovation models in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in either the United States or the United Kingdom, which will contribute to a career in the mindful transformation of society. 

Gillespie said receiving the scholarship meant she would now be able to realise her dream of studying overseas. 

Her accolades include the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship in 2014, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship in 2015/16, graduating summa cum laude for her Undergraduate Law (LLB) degree and participating in the Justice Wallis’ Clerkship Programme last year. 

She plans to read towards a Masters in Law (LLM) degree at Cambridge University or a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at Oxford University. Gillespie paid tribute to her parents who she says have supported and motivated her throughout her studies. 

‘None of my achievements would have been possible if it was not for my parents, to whom I owe so much for all their love, support and motivation and for all the sacrifices made over the years to enable me to be where I am today and to my sister who brings so much positivity into my life,’ said Gillespie. 

Words by: Reatlehile Moeti

Photograph by: Abhi Indrarajan