As graduation approaches, we are proud to share the story of Dr Sathyapriya Govindarajulu, our first PhD graduate since the move to our Pennant Hills campus. Her journey is one of academic rigour and a deeply supportive research community, reflecting not only personal achievement, but also Excelsia’s growing research identity.
With a strong academic and teaching background, Sathyapriya’s research is firmly grounded in banking and finance, motivated by real‑world relevance. She has long been drawn to the sector’s potential to enable financial inclusion and support evidence‑based transformation across financial systems.
After completing her first PhD (2016–2020) in personal finance and banking from India, Sathyapriya was eager to deepen her expertise. ‘My ambition to contribute more meaningfully to research and practice inspired me to pursue a second PhD,’ she explains.
For Sathyapriya, Excelsia stood out for its personalised supervision, values‑driven culture, and supportive research environment, qualities that proved decisive especially during the challenging COVID‑19 period.
Research – bridging theory and practice
Sathyapriya’s doctoral research focused on banking and financial institutions, drawing on qualitative research to examine how purpose‑built frameworks can strengthen organisational outcomes and stakeholder engagement.
‘I’m most proud of producing research that is both academically robust and industry‑relevant – work that is already shaping emerging conversations,’ she says.
Balancing her PhD alongside roles as a sessional lecturer and later as an associate supervisor, Sathyapriya completed her research on time, a feat she attributes strongly to the quality of supervision and support she received.
She acknowledges the guidance of Associate Professor Sarah Eyaa, research examination coordinator Dr Roz Riley, and her supervisors Professor Ian Eddie and Associate Professor Andrew Levula, whose regular check‑ins, flexibility, and encouragement kept her focused and confident. ‘I was supported not just academically, but mentally, which is incredibly important during a PhD, especially as an international student,’ she reflects.
Beyond supervision, support structures such as research workshops, library services, and clear thesis milestones helped her maintain momentum. Financial flexibility during periods of family difficulty also played a crucial role, easing pressures that many international research students face.
A historic first at Excelsia, Lumen and beyond
Graduating as the first PhD awardee since the relocation to our new campus carries special meaning. ‘It feels both humbling and historic,’ Sathyapriya says.
Sathyapriya’s research journey has continued well beyond submission. She was encouraged to present at the Lumen Conference 2025, where she shared her paper titled, ‘Financial Inclusion Action Plan: Banking and Financial Institutions Implementation Strategies’.
The conference provided an energising platform to connect with fellow scholars and receive feedback that further strengthened her research direction. ‘Completing two PhDs taught me that success is never about working alone. It’s about structure, resilience, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision.’
Photo caption: Sathyapriya with her supervisors Dr Andrew Levula (R) and Prof. Ian Eddie (L) at the Lumen Conference 2025.
Looking ahead, Sathyapriya is expanding her work into green finance, AI, banking, and ethics, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and publication.
She is currently working on a book chapter exploring how Australian financial institutions (AFIs) can connect financial inclusion with green finance through inclusive green bonds, climate‑resilient lending, sustainable insurance, and green infrastructure, and strengthen community resilience and advance key UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Alongside her research, Sathyapriya continues to contribute to higher education as a lecturer and unit coordinator in Business Analytics at the Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Advice for future PhD candidates
For those considering a PhD Sathyapriya offers practical advice: ‘Stay consistent, break the work into manageable steps, and lean on your supervisors and peers early. A PhD is a marathon. Keep your focus, stay connected, and remember that resilience is just as important as intelligence.’
She is also keen to dispel a common myth: ‘A PhD doesn’t require perfection. What truly matters is steady progress, not flawless work on the first attempt.’
Sathyapriya’s journey is a powerful reminder that behind every doctoral milestone is a community of mentors, peers, family, and institutional support working together to make research thrive.
As we celebrate our graduates this season, her story stands as both an inspiration and a testament to what purposeful research, supported by care and collaboration, can achieve.
Congratulations once again, Dr Sathyapriya. We’re thrilled that you are part of Excelsia’s growing research legacy.