From war zone to award winner for determined Atyaf
When Atyaf Awad moved from Iraq to Bundaberg as an 11-year-old, the culture shock was overwhelming – but finding caring teachers transformed her experience.
Growing up in a war zone, and with life-long visual impairment, Atyaf said she and her family faced huge challenges.
“Changing from a background of underdevelopment, poverty and limited education to an environment offering compassionate special education programs was still a challenge!” she said.
“Despite facing discrimination based on my culture, religion, and disability, I am grateful for the support and accessibility provided by the remarkable teams at CQUniversity, at Bundaberg State High School and at my workplace (at Bundaberg’s Beemart).”
As a determined high school student, Atyaf grew her English skills and successfully graduated in 2022, supported by Special Education Teacher Melinda Stack.
Now, 19-year-old Atyaf is embarking on her Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Accounting with CQUniversity, empowered by CQU’s pathway program STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) which she completed this year.
“The CQUniversity STEPS course has provided me with the skills and confidence I lacked before...I never imagined that a 13-week course could inspire and transform my life in such a reflective way,” she said.
“It is in this environment that diversity is valued, personal growth is adopted and individual potential is recognised.”
Atyaf’s connection to CQU goes back much further though – her father, Dr Lafta Awad Atshan, first moved to Australia to study his PhD with CQUniversity Bundaberg when Atyaf was young.
The move separated the family, and they were only reunited in 2015 when Atyaf and the rest of her family secured Australian visas.
But heartbreakingly, her father’s visa ended when he finished his studies, and he had to return to Iraq.
“He has sacrificed everything to ensure that my siblings and I have a successful and safe future,” Atyaf said.
“My dad is my biggest hero. I would do anything in the world to see him again.”
In September, Atyaf was named a Bundaberg Region Youth Scholarship Awards recipient, one of eight local students recognised for overcoming significant obstacles in pursuit of their personal achievements.
The inspiring student credits passionate teachers, including Mrs Stack and other high school teachers, supporting her achievements: “I was fortunate to have met incredible teachers who inspired me to never give up and to overcome my disabilities,” she said.
CQU Bundaberg STEPS lecturers Hermina Conradie, Luise Straker and Trixie James provided technology and accessible resources to support Atyaf’s learning and encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
And Atyaf hopes her studies will help her “make a lasting impact on the world.”
“Every journey has its ups and downs, but in the end, every bit of it is worth it…I am ready to embrace the future with gratitude in my heart and a determined spirit and this is just the beginning of my unique journey,” she said.
For more information about STEPS and other pathway programs, visit cqu.edu.au/STEPS.
