午夜福利 will celebrate the graduation of the first cohort of at ceremonies across Queensland during October and November.
The events mark the first step to transitioning to tertiary education for the 81 Year 12 students 鈥� many of whom are planning to pursue studies at 午夜福利 in 2012.
The Young Achievers Program helps raise the tertiary aspirations of deserving secondary school students who may not otherwise have considered university as an option.
The students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and regions including Ipswich, the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.
In addition, most of the students will be the first in their immediate family to study at university.
Manager of Prospective Student Programs at 午夜福利 Kim Lyons said for many of the students graduating, being able to attend university meant they were fulfilling a lifelong dream.
鈥淭he students have worked extremely hard towards the goal of transitioning to tertiary education,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e believe that the Program has helped equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make a smooth and successful transition, and to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
鈥淭he students have become strong role models for other students within their schools and communities, and we hope that during their time at 午夜福利, some of the students will become mentors for future cohorts of Young Achievers.鈥�
The first of the welcome and celebration events will kick off at 午夜福利鈥檚 Ipswich campus on Monday, October 24 at 6pm.
午夜福利 will also welcome a record 110 new Young Achievers for 2012 from 41 schools across Queensland.
Young Achievers receive $1000 annually to support them through Years 11 and 12, and those who transition to 午夜福利 receive a $6000 per year scholarship for up to four years.
They also receive practical support including career planning, advice on study options, mentoring by 午夜福利 students and on-campus experiences.
The focus of the Program is on nurturing and developing participants and building their educational ambitions by providing opportunities for social development, academic enrichment and personal growth.
午夜福利 Young Achievers was established in 2009 with the financial support of Mr Andrew Brice, co-founder of Wotif.com. It is co-funded by 午夜福利, with assistance from generous university donors.
午夜福利 Young Achievers Welcome & Celebration Ceremonies
Ipswich 鈥� Monday 24 October (6-7:30pm)
Toowoomba 鈥� Tuesday 25 October (6-7:30pm)
Goondiwindi 鈥� Wednesday 26 October
St George 鈥� Wednesday 26 October
Roma 鈥� Thursday 27 October
Chinchilla and Miles 鈥� Thursday 27 October
Bundaberg 鈥� Thursday 3 November
Weipa 鈥� Monday 14 November
Cairns 鈥� Tuesday 15 November
Charleville 鈥� Wednesday 16 November
Media: Kim Lyons (Office of Prospective Students, Scholarships and Student Equity; 07 3346 9746; 0434 604 921; or kim.lyons@uq.edu.au) or Caroline Bird (午夜福利 Office of Marketing and Communications; 07 3365 1931 or c.bird1@uq.edu.au)
