The University of Queensland will welcome the second cohort of students from the Darling Downs region as UQ Young Achievers during an event at the Toowoomba Golf Club, Middle Ridge on Wednesday, October 20 at 5.30pm.
19 students from six secondary schools in the Darling Downs region have been selected to participate in the program.
The students are currently in Year 10, and will be entering Year 11 next year. They will participate in the program during Years 11 and 12.
The UQ Young Achievers Program was established to help raise the tertiary aspirations of deserving secondary school students who may not otherwise have considered university study as an option.
Students are from the Ipswich, Darling Downs and South West regions of Queensland.
The Darling Downs region schools participating are: Centenary Heights State High School; Dalby State High School; Harristown State High School; Oakey State High School; Pittsworth State High School; and Toowoomba State High School.
19 of the 88 students selected from 27 secondary schools across the three Queensland regions to become UQ Young Achievers in 2011 are from the Darling Downs area.
The program provides support to students from families experiencing financial hardship, rural isolation, Indigenous students and those who would be the first person in their immediate family to study at university.
Acting Manager of Prospective Student Programs Kim Lyons said the program aimed to provide positive and life-changing experiences for participants while giving them a great head start in achieving their future goals.
The students will receive financial assistance of $1000 per year in Years 11 and 12 to assist with education costs.
Students who complete Years 11 and 12 and transition to UQ will receive a scholarship valued at $6000 per year for up to four years.
In addition, the UQ Young Achievers will receive practical support including advice on study options, career planning, mentoring by UQ students and industry graduates, and on-campus experiences to help overcome the real and perceived barriers they face.
The first cohort of UQ Young Achievers announced last year included more than 80 students, including 14 Indigenous students from schools in the Ipswich, Darling Downs and South West regions.
The program was made possible through a generous donation from the Brice family and is co-funded by The University of Queensland.
Wotif.com co-founder, Andrew Brice, who personally funded the program, has encouraged other people and businesses to get behind the scheme.
“It’s a chance to inspire and motivate young Australians to take every chance they can get in life to be their best,” he said.
Media: Kim Lyons telephone 0434 604 921 or Jan King 0413 601 248.
