Youth Without Borders is calling on all bright sparks

Students in years 10-12 who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and love maths are invited to participate in a five-day camp at The University of Queensland in July.

Organised by young people’s advocacy group Youth Without Borders, the inaugural Spark Engineering Camp aims to increase university completion rates among Indigenous and humanitarian migrant students.

The camp will run from July 4 – 8, with students staying in on-campus accommodation at St John’s College.

YWB will host 50 young bright sparks and the program will be completely free to all students selected.

Spark Project Coordinator Vinodya Anjalee said the camp was a great way to promote the engineering profession among students who may not have considered enrolling in university.

“The camp will give them a taste of university life as well as showing them what options there are for studying at university,” Ms Anjalee said.

“We’re also trying to just get students interested in engineering who may not have the resources to make it to an event like this.”

YWB founder and 2010 Young Queenslander of the Year Yassmin Abdel-Magied encouraged students to apply.

Originally from Sudan, Ms Abdel-Magied - a UQ engineering student – came to Australia before the age of two.

“We’re looking for people with an interest but don’t have the means to come do something like this,” she said.

“We’re also looking for people who show potential but just might need a nudge in the right direction.”

Students can be nominated by anyone: themselves, a friend or a teacher or a social worker by visiting the YWB website and completing the nomination form.

Youth Without Borders is also seeking companies and volunteers who would like to sponsor the event or provide a few man-hours.

If you are interested in providing help or would just like to find out more about YWB or the Spark Engineering Camp, email spark@youthwithoutborders.com.au or contact Yassmin Abdel-Magied on 0402 761 593.

Media: Ms Abdel-Magied (Yassmin@youthwithoutborders.com.au, 0402 761 593).