A Rotorua student with an unyielding desire to help others is one step closer to becoming the first in her family to go to university thanks to a life-changing scholarship.

Western Heights High School student, Bhavika Keshav, is this year’s recipient of the OCS First Foundation Scholarship, which will help her achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.

Every year, the scholarship is awarded to a student who has a family member employed at facilities services company, OCS New Zealand, and faces financial hardship that may prevent them from attending university.

For Bhavika, her mum Mehal is a cleaner at OCS, and when she read about the scholarship, she encouraged her daughter to apply.

“Mum has been super supportive of my desire to go to uni, so when she saw the email about the scholarship, she told me there was no harm in applying.”

Bhavika said she was in complete shock when she learned her scholarship application was successful.

“When I received the email saying I was successful, I was so shocked because I wasn’t expecting it at all. To have a scholarship already in Year 12 takes a huge weight off.

“Growing up, we haven’t always had a lot of money, so this scholarship means a lot. I know my mum would try to help with uni costs, but I didn’t want to put that burden on her.”

Alongside three years of financial aid and work experience, the scholarship also includes a mentor – a benefit Bhavika is particularly thankful for.

“The financial aid will go a long way to reducing my student loan, but I’m also really excited for the mentor.

“Being the first person in my family to go to uni is quite daunting because I don’t know what to expect. Having that person there for support and guidance will be invaluable.

“While it’s nerve-wracking to be the first to go into this unknown territory, I know I am setting the footsteps my younger sister will be able to follow, and that’s pretty cool.”

With her eyes and heart set on a career in healthcare, Bhavika said she is driven by a desire to improve people’s lives.

“I'm keen to help others, and I've always had a strong interest in science. The advancements in medicine are happening so rapidly which is exciting, especially since you never know what to expect next.

“I'm keeping my options open as to what I want to specialise in, but I'm currently leaning towards fields like chiropractic, surgery, physiotherapy, or radiology. The human body is just fascinating to me."

First Foundation Chief Executive, Kirk Sargent, said the scholarship empowers students with the tools and opportunities they need to become tomorrow's changemakers.

“Through OCS’s support of the First Foundation Scholarship, students like Bhavika can turn their educational aspirations into impactful careers that drive personal growth and uplift their communities."

OCS ANZ Managing Director, Gareth Marriott, said presenting the scholarship is one of the most rewarding moments of the year.

“Many of the recipients face financial obstacles, yet they are consistently driven by a deep sense of ambition and a passion for contributing to their communities. We’ve seen the transformations experienced by our past and current students and look forward to seeing Bhavika flourish.”

OCS New Zealand, part of the OCS Group, is a leading facilities management services company providing a range of both standalone and integrated services including commercial cleaning, hygiene, waste management, pest control, and maintenance and building services for large customers in the private and public sectors. The company has more than 3,700 colleagues across the country supporting local communities from Kaitaia to Invercargill.