Whether it’s designing and constructing bridges, or developing the technology to prepare our city for autonomous vehicles, high school students will have the opportunity to get a taste of where their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) could lead them with the new Transurban Paiabun Karumba STEM Scholarship.
Partnering with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF), Transurban Queensland will offer students financial support to help remove the barriers to completing high school while getting unique work experience and mentoring opportunities in engineering and technology.
Paiabun Kurumba means ‘Dream Big’ in the local Yuggera language. Just like the name of the scholarship suggests, we want students to see where their future could lead them and have access to opportunities and experiences in the real world.
QATSIF Secretariat Director Michael Nayler said QATSIF was created to give Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families increased educational choices and life opportunities.
“Here in Queensland around a third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids are not making it through to year 11 and 12,” Mr Nayler said.
“Our aim is to help young people achieve and make their way through year 11 and 12 and on to study or work, so it’s great to have partners like Transurban Queensland on board to support this goal.
“In addition to the financial support, more importantly for students is the opportunity to see what a career in technology or engineering could be like, and give students a vision of the future.”
The program is open to QATSIF students in South East Queensland with an interest in STEM subjects and careers.
The two year scholarship program with Transurban includes:
- $2500 in financial aid to cover the cost of school expenses including school shoes, text books, training, iPads and laptops.
- Visits to Transurban Queensland offices, construction sites and traffic control centres
- Work experience in technology and engineering
- Network tour and tunnel shutdown experience
- Tutoring, mentoring and career coaching
Applications for the scholarship starting in Term 1 2022 close on 30 November. For more information about QATSIF and eligibility requirements visitqatsif.org.au
