Meet our Lives Transformed competition winner: Lindsey Omenge from Murdoch University Dubai!
Launched in April, the inaugural Navitas Lives Transformed competition aimed to capture success stories that celebrated the amazing journeys of students and alumni whose lives have been transformed by studying at one of our 22 colleges across Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia and the UAE.
The competition asked students to answer a simple question: How did education change your life? Submissions had to include a written response that reflected on how their studies opened doors to new possibilities, and a 60-second short video that brought their story to life.
The competition received entries that were funny, brave, moving, and above all, real. Choosing just one winner was a tough decision for the judging panel, but that winner was Lindsey Omenge, a graduate of Murdoch University Dubai!
Lindsey’s story
Originally from Kenya, Lindsey dreamt of studying abroad since high school – and she was determined to turn this dream of hers into a reality.
In three years, Lindsey applied for 25 universities in four countries and faced countless visa rejections or high tuition fees she could not afford. It wasn’t until a trip to Dubai with her mother when a stroke of luck came her way and she stumbled upon Murdoch University Dubai – which she describes as “the world in one place”.
Lindsey was finally on the path to realising her study abroad dream when she accepted the offer to study a Bachelor of Business Finance and Accounting at Murdoch Dubai and discovered a genuine love for numbers. Thanks to a number of professors who helped her along the way, Lindsey graduated this year with Distinctions and High Distinctions, earned a full merit scholarship, received the Vice Chancellor Award for Academic Excellence, and a university medal as one of the 10 Top Graduates in her year.
Just as important as the grades were her peers. Classmates from all over the world quickly became friends, and later they would become her international family. A community of likeminded souls who celebrated each other’s wins, and supported each other through hardships.
Two months after graduating Lindsey secured her first internship, and is now celebrating her new life being financially independent living abroad.
Main prize – Navitas Business Partners Conference
Lindsey has won herself an invitation to attend the 19th annual Navitas Business Partners Conference that will be held 9-12 September in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Not only will she be flying to Sri Lanka, staying at a five-star resort, and the attending the conference – but she will be taking the stage to share her story in person as one of our four guest student speakers attending the conference.
The Navitas Business Partners Conference is the biggest event in the Global Sales & Marketing team’s calendar. The 2026 conference theme Growth, Reimagined will challenge assumptions, embrace new ideas, and explore the strategies that will define the next chapter of global education. The event will bring together over 150 senior leaders and decision-makers from universities across Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA, as well as directors from leading educational consultancies across all sectors of the industry, and will feature thought-provoking keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, debates, and interactive workshops.