Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program (VCPEP)

Explore Deakin Scholarships

The Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program, or VCPEP, is a personal and professional development program designed exclusively for Deakin students studying on a Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarship or a Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship.

Scholars complete the VCPEP alongside their course, empowering them to achieve beyond their expectations, be ready for the careers of the future and make significant contributions to our community.

In the program scholars explore their personal aspirations and career opportunities through workshops and development meetings. They also meet regularly with an Academic Mentor. Scholars build their professional network and experience through tailored Personal and Professional Challenges. Each November, employers and university leaders join us to recognise scholars’ achievements at the VCPEP End of Year Celebration.

Ross, DeakinTALENT

Deakin University's Vice Chancellors Professional Excellence Program, or VCPEP, is designed to help our scholars go beyond their horizons and be ready to become leaders in their future careers and our community.

Jane, DeakinTALENT

High achieving students are awarded a Vice Chancellors international or Academic Excellence scholarship and join the VCPEP for the duration of their course. Scholars hail from various Australian cities across regional Australia and around the globe and study at all of Deakins five campuses.

Sachintha, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Biomedical Science

I'm an international student from Sri Lanka.

Jingyi, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Optometry

With the scholarship I was able to move interstate.

Maria, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Public Health

I just came back from Russia.

Tom, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Science/Commerce

I live in Torquay and love my footy, surfing.

Simran, Vice Chancellors Scholar, International Studies

It was basically my ticket to travel the world.

Ross, DeakinTALENT

Throughout the program as scholars engage in activities tailored to specific stages of their academic, personal and professional development. This includes personal and professional challenges, academic mentoring and development meetings, workshops and social events, as well as the broader range of DeakinTALENT programs and services. In addition, their individual interests and passions personalise to create their own unique experience.

Harry, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Property and Real Estate/Commerce

All the different components have helped me in different ways. My academic mentor helped me in obtaining internships.

Pratik, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Information Systems

I've joined the interview workshop. I joined the resume workshop and using those techniques I applied to one job, and I got that job as a digital copywriter.

Kate, Vice Chancellors Scholar, International Studies/Commerce

I'm heading off to Taiwan and other parts of Asia for a year under their new Colombo Plan. So yeah, it's very exciting. I’m undertaking language training, exchange at National Taiwan University and then internships throughout the Asia-Pacific.

Jane, DeakinTALENT

However, the VCPEP is much more than the sum of its parts. By bringing together scholars from a range of disciplines, faculties backgrounds and experiences, supported by academic mentors aligned to their interests the VCPEP has created a community.

Soumya, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Arts/Commerce

The workshop really helped me to actually get to know the other scholars.

Harry, Vice Chancellors Scholar, Property and Real Estate/Commerce

The authentic leadership workshop opened my eyes to the other scholars and their backgrounds and how hard their path has to be here it really put my journey in perspective.

Simran, Vice Chancellors Scholar, International Studies

Any moment that I'm in trouble, or any moment that I feel like I don't have anyone with me. There is help available.

Ross, DeakinTALENT

By graduation our scholars will be equipped for bold and exciting careers in whatever they choose.

VCPEP activities

Induction

The program begins with an induction session to introduce scholars to their peers, the VCPEP and all the elements of the program.

Personal challenge

Each year, scholars undertake a personal challenge to develop their self-awareness, confidence, resilience and ability to achieve their personal goals.

Professional challenge

Each year, scholars step beyond their comfort zone to complete a professional challenge to build skills and experience relevant to their future career.

End of year celebration

We end the year with a fun and relaxed event that brings together all VCPEP scholars to celebrate the year that was and acknowledge the graduating cohort.

Individual support

Development plan meetings

Regular one-on-one meetings to support scholars in their transition to university, reflect on their progress and achievements, identify future goals and work through current challenges.

Academic mentor meetings

Regular one-on-one meetings with an Academic Mentor from a scholar’s faculty to assist in the transition to university, choice of major or specialisation, selection of internships and awareness of industry trends.