Professor Peter Leggat honoured as a Fulbright Ambassador

Society Member Professor Leggat is one of 27 distinguished Australians based here and in the US selected for a new flagship initiative by the Australian American Fulbright Commission, which awards prestigious Fulbright Scholarships for study in the US.

He received his certificate of appointment as a Fulbright Ambassador from the Victorian Minister for Training and Skills and the US Ambassador to Australia at the Fulbright Presentation ceremony held in Melbourne on 25 February. Professor Leggat is the only selected Fulbright Ambassador based in Queensland and his initial term will run for two years over 2016-2017.

Professor Leggat, himself a former Fulbright Scholar, is based in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences in Townsville. The Society extends its warm congratulations to one of its very active members. Prof Leggat was instrumental in establishing the Royal Society Prize granted at the North Queensland Festival of Life Sciences in 2014 and assisted with the Community Health Forum in May 2016.

“It was an honour to be selected as an Inaugural Fulbright Ambassador,” Professor Leggat said. “Fulbright Ambassadors will contribute to enhancing and promoting the Fulbright Scholarship Program, and help to strengthen cultural and academic exchange between Australia and the US,” he said.

“I am looking forward to further championing the Fulbright Scholarship program, particularly here in northern Queensland.”

Established 66 years ago, the Australian American Fulbright Commission hosts the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship program, which aims to promote educational and cultural exchange between Australia and the US.