Griffith University Bachelor of Social Work student Sylvia Khan has been awarded the Graduate Women Qld (Brisbane Branch) Bursary at a ceremony held at the GUMURRII Student Support Unit on the Nathan Campus.

Sylvia is the inaugural recipient of the Bursary with 2012 marking the beginning of a three year commitment by Graduate Women Qld to provide support to Indigenous women.

The ceremony was attended by Chancellor Leneen Forde AC, Chancellor and Chair Griffith Foundation Board, Acting Vice Chancellor and Provost Professor Marilyn McMeniman AM and Dr Ann Stewart, President of Graduate Women Qld (Brisbane Branch) and also a Griffith Alumnus.

Professor McMeniman thanked Dr Stewart and Graduate Women Qld (Brisbane Branch) for their vital contribution and praised the organisation's commitment to the advancement of education for Indigenous women, before Chancellor Leneen Forde provided a certificate of thanks on behalf of Griffith University.

"This bursary showcases the dedication of Graduate Women Qld as an organisation to furthering the cause of promoting social equity through their support of Indigenous women wishing to pursue a tertiary education," Professor McMeniman said.

"The support and commitment shown by Dr Stewart and her colleagues to Griffith and its pursuit of social equity is greatly appreciated and on behalf of the University I thank them for their contribution and willingness to collaborate with us on achieving these aims."

Dr Stewart highlighted the importance of this Bursary to Graduate Women Qld (Brisbane Branch) and her organisation's deep seated aim of providing advocacy on women's issues, particularly in the areas of Education and Human Rights, when discussing why they created it.

"It is a pleasure to be here today back at Griffith to take part in this occasion and meet Sylvia and to be working with the GUMURRII Student Support Unit to aid in providing this Bursary," Dr Stewart said.

"As an international organisation linked with the United Nations we are dedicated to advancing the cause of education for Indigenous women, this Bursary will financially aid Sylvia.

We also wish to provide her with a year's membership with us upon her graduating to provide access to professional networks that are crucial in developing her career."

Sylvia who is in the second year of her degree thanked Dr Stewart and Graduate Women Qld (Brisbane Branch) for the Bursary and the support they have provided.

"As a mother of four the Bursary has assisted with living needs while I have pursued my studies and I am extremely thankful for the support and assistance that Graduate Women Qld (Brisbane Branch) have given me," Sylvia said.