The Malcolm DH Smith Memorial Scholarship was launched this year in tribute to Professor Smith, a leading international figure in Asian legal studies and the Founding Director of the Asian Law Centre at the University of Melbourne. This scholarship was initiated by members of the Asian Law Centre, with the support of Dr Rosalynd Smith, widow of Professor Smith.
The scholarship helps first-year Melbourne JD students who have completed an undergraduate law degree or a degree majoring in Asian studies at a tertiary institution in Australia or Asia.
Professor Smith (LLB (Hons) 1968, LLM 1972) is remembered for his exceptional contribution to Asian legal studies. He joined the Law School in 1987 as Foundation Professor of Asian Law, and was Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law in 1990–91 and 1997– 99. In 2004 he was appointed a full-time Professor of Law at Chuo University in Tokyo, the first Australian to hold such a position.
Melbourne Law School expresses sincere appreciation to Dr Rosalynd Smith, and the many friends and colleagues of Professor Smith who have generously donated to the scholarship.
This year the Malcolm DH Smith Memorial Scholarship was awarded to two students: Alistair Robertson and Lin Yang.
Alistair Robertson, Scholarship Recipient
"The Malcolm DH Smith scholarship is an enormous source of encouragement to pursue Asian law and, in concrete terms, will assist me in returning to Beijing over the summer to maintain my language skills and links with China. After receiving the award, I've had the opportunity to work with the Asian Law Centre that Malcolm Smith founded as a research assistant in the China program."
Dr Rosalynd Smith
"Pursuing Asian legal studies is challenging, and can also be costly. Students who have the initiative and discipline necessary to follow this path deserve all the encouragement and support we can give them. It is critical for Australia's future to have lawyers qualified in this field."
Image: Dr Rosalynd Smith and one of the first scholarship recipients, Mr Alistair Robertson