Emmanuel on Leadership, Opportunity, and Life at Murdoch

Emmanuel’s journey to Murdoch University began with a recommendation from a friend. “It was a friend who encouraged me to apply for the Australia Awards,” he says. “I got the scholarship and had the opportunity to select my university. Murdoch stood out because it offered exactly the course I was looking for — a Master’s in Health Administration, Policy and Leadership.”

The degree aligned perfectly with his goals of improving healthcare systems in his home country. “Murdoch was the only university offering that specific course,” he recalls. “It fit my aspirations completely.”

Finding Support and Community

Before arriving, Emmanuel expected a tough academic environment where he’d have to navigate everything alone. What he found instead surprised him. “I didn’t expect the amount of help I received,” he says. “Professors were always sending information about where to get support. They were open and approachable, and there were programs designed just for international students.”

From the contact offices to student services, Emmanuel found Murdoch’s system well-organised and caring. “The support was everywhere, from the school, from staff, from international student programs. It made settling in so much easier.”

A Welcoming Place to Call Home

Emmanuel remembers Western Australia as a place that embraced diversity. “It’s not just Murdoch; the whole environment in Western Australia was very welcoming,” he says. “The African community even received support from the government to celebrate our festivals. You could be yourself and still feel part of the wider community.”

He enjoyed the balance between Perth’s busy city life and Murdoch’s calm surroundings. “It has a blend of both worlds,” he says. “You can go to the central business district and find that energy, but when you return to Murdoch, it’s quiet and peaceful.”

Growth Beyond the Classroom

While studying, Emmanuel was selected as one of ten International Student Ambassadors for the StudyPerth program, promoting STEM education across the region. “It gave me the opportunity to travel, meet people, and see different parts of Australia,” he says. “We visited farms, sand dunes, and many places I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.”

One of his proudest memories came when Murdoch’s Vice-Chancellor attended one of the ambassador events. “She didn’t know I’d been selected, but she was so proud,” he recalls. “She even invited me for coffee and later nominated me to attend a Commonwealth workshop in India on behalf of Murdoch. That moment really stood out for me.”

Looking Ahead

After returning to Ghana, Emmanuel’s studies helped him step into a senior leadership role in health administration. “It changed my work style and the quality of my output,” he says. “I started producing results with a new level of confidence and perspective.”

Now, he dreams of continuing his research in digital health and data science to improve healthcare outcomes. “I want to lead an international research institution that uses technology to change health behaviours and make systems more effective,” he says. “That’s the vision Murdoch helped me build.”

Watch Emmanuel’s story to hear how his time at Murdoch University shaped his leadership journey and inspired his work in global health.