Woman 'beyond excited' for scholarship

Georgia Houghton said she had been supported by the Assisted Reproduction Unit

A Jersey woman has been awarded a scholarship to study embryology at the University of Oxford.

Georgia Houghton said she was “beyond excited” and it was an “incredible opportunity to study at one of the world's best universities”.

The scholarship, which has been paid for by the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, has covered the cost of the £33,970 tuition fees.

Ms Houghton, who works as an administration support officer at the Assisted Reproduction Unit (ARU), said she hoped her scholarship would inspire others to further their career goals.

Ms Houghton has been working in her admin role since November 2022

Ms Houghton said people should “take every opportunity like shadowing or talking to the clinical leads in health departments” to follow their career goals in Health and Community Services.

"It would be a privilege to be able to fulfil my ambition to help people trying to conceive," she added.

Prof Enda McVeigh said Georgia is an example to others

Prof Enda McVeigh, from Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, supported Ms Houghton with her scholarship application and said the ARU was always looking for “bright sparks” and when he met Ms Houghton “she expressed an interest in taking her career further”.

“Georgia was a little bit hesitant but I could see those abilities were there so we encouraged her to apply for it,” he said.

He added “the scholarships are really, really difficult to get” and “it is great to see this progression and I want to champion staff members”.

The 12-month course begins in October.