Indigenous students get feel for university life

More than 200 Indigenous high school students from across Australia have traveled to Sydney to participate in the inaugural Wingara Mura-Bunga Barrabuga Summer program.

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Doctor Ivan Zavada from the Sydney of Music with student Tayshaun Mosby

The program is part of a federal government-funded initiative aimed at closing the gap on Indigenous enrolment in higher education.

Students from year nine to 12 will engage in a variety of workshops at the University of Sydney to gain a better understanding of university life.

While some students participated in architecture workshops today, budding composers kicked-off their week with a tutorial hosted by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the Seymour Centre in Camperdown.

Debra Reid, senior manager for trust and engagement at the University of Sydney, hopes the program will encourage students to target their high school studies towards a long-term career goal.

"That they actually see education as their future, and that’s essential, whether they go into apprenticeships or whether they do go onto university, that education is a key part of how they actually achieve their goals," Ms Reid said.

She said the program will also reassure Indigenous students that university is a realistic option.

"University is accessible for them and is a choice for how they will be able to get the career they want to support their own family and their own community," she said.

The Wingara Mura-Bunga Barrabuga Summer program will continue in Sydney until January 17.


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2 min read
Published 14 January 2014 3:23pm
Updated 16 January 2014 12:07pm
By Tara Callinan
Source: NITV News

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