The scholarships were awarded by NSW Australian of the year Deng Adut whose late brother was the first Sudanese refugee to graduate from an Australian university.
It's a proud moment for any student receiving a scholarship to attend university, but for Alibaba Sabiri it's especially poignant.
As a persecuted Hazara minority he fled Afghanistan with his family at the age of three.
"I personally remember you couldn't even go to the market to buy something because it was very risky," he said. "You wouldn't know if you go you would come back alive of dead so we had to flee. "
At the age of five he was going to school in the morning and working as a carpet weaver in the afternoon. By the age of 10 both his parents had died. At the age of 17 he arrived in Australia on a refugee boat from Pakistan.
Alibaba Sabiri, one of the winners of the inaugural scholarship at Western Sydney University. Source: SBS
Just five years later Alibaba is now in his fourth year of an engineering degree at Western Sydney University.
"When I graduate if I get a job - it's going to be a good opportunity for me" Alibaba said. "But at the same time I'm looking to do my masters and PHD in structural civil engineering - it's one of my dreams and I'm going to achieve it for sure."
Another scholarship recipient is Zakieh Hamidan - also an ethnic Hazara. Her family had to flee Iran after the death of her father. They were granted humanitarian visas and settled in Coffs Harbour.
Zakieh is now studying business management. 
"In our culture we do not have very many women that they are like businesswoman and I want to break this barrier which is unfortunately still in our culture" she said.
Zakieh Hamidan, one of two winners of the inaugural scholarship at Western Sydney University. Source: SBS
The scholarships were awarded by NSW Australian of the year Deng Adut whose late brother was the first Sudanese refugee to graduate from an Australian university.
Mr Adut has set up the John Mac Foundation in his brother's honour.
"To be able to start up this scholarship in his name, that scholarship is to help other refugees to be able to realise the Australian dream," Deng Adut said, "and to make sure they are settled here happily and be able to contribute something to this community."
The John Mac Foundation's aim is to award 200 scholarships over the next few years.
