Campus experience gives insight into future for next gen of First Nations students

An immersive campus experience at CQUniversity Gladstone recently has provided First Nations senior students with an inside look at university life and the types of pathways on offer through tertiary and vocational education.

Initiated by the Waalitj Foundation in partnership with Shell QGC, the cohort of 12 Indigenous highschoolers attended the campus experience as part of a three-day camp through the Indigenous Scholarship Program, which aims to increase the number of Indigenous Australians with tertiary and vocational qualifications – with the ultimate aim of improving sustainable employment opportunities for Indigenous candidates in the resources industry.

Ranging from school years 10-12, the students participated in a variety of practical sessions including hands-on activities where they were able to experiment and explore green energy sources with wind turbine prototypes, engage in business studies by creating marketing campaigns, and attend university and TAFE information sessions.

CQUniversity Marketing Assistant and Region Owner Maddy Ninness said the campus experience was a great way for students to get a firsthand look at what a future in the resources sector could look like, beginning with the first steps of higher education.

“This the second year Waalitj Foundation have been running the ‘Indigenous Scholarship Program’ in Queensland, which has proved very successful,” Ms Ninness said.

“The campus visit is a great way for students to experience life as a tertiary or vocational student and to prepare them for future career pathways.”

Ms Ninness said that student feedback from the event was outstanding, with students leaving with clearly defined ideas of their next steps and what avenues they would explore for their futures.

“The students left with completely different ideas of what university life is like, having learnt that there are so many pathways and opportunities,” Ms Ninness said.

“One of the student attendees said the experience had even allowed them to consider a career in engineering, which is something they had never considered for themselves before.”

“We love to hear of outcomes like that and providing opportunities for the next generation to realise what’s possible and attainable.”

Participants in the Indigenous Scholarship Program will go on to be eligible to apply for the Shell QGC Indigenous Scholarship, further equipping them to undertake resourceful career pathways.