Students reach an education milestone on their pathway to success

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

More than 100 students are this week set to celebrate the completion of a University of Newcastle pathway program, which has opened the door to their dream of pursuing a university degree.

Recognition of attainment ceremony

Friends and family will join the students to mark their achievement at the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre Recognition of Attainment Ceremony on Tuesday 12 February at Callaghan campus.

Since enabling programs commenced at the University in 1974, approximately 30,000 students have completed a pathway program, which include Open Foundation (20 years and above), Newstep (18-20 years) and Yapug (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students).

Celebrating its 20-year anniversary, the Yapug pathway program also provides an opportunity for students to progress to the Joint Medical Program, which has helped to graduate one third of Australia’s practicing Indigenous doctors.

Now an official first year student, Kieran Shipp overcame significant adversity to complete Yapug and will transition into the medical program this year as a Ma & Morley scholar.

“My main motivation for entering the Yapug program was that I wanted to be more than what I was becoming at home and I wanted to have a greater impact on my community,” Kieran said.

“The program has given me the opportunity to succeed in life and prepare me for the skills necessary to obtain my undergraduate degree and become a medical doctor. This has also inspired some of my immediate family members to enrol in university degrees.”

As one of this year’s student speakers, Kieran has an important message to share with his peers, friends and family.

“My advice to anyone looking to apply for university would be to enrol in the course you want to do and not the one you think is easier. You don’t want to look back and think that you settled for the degree you got because you didn’t believe in yourself,” Kieran said.

The English Language and Foundation Studies Centre Recognition of Attainment Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 12 February from 5pm in the Griffith Duncan Theatre, Callaghan. A similar event will be held at the Ourimbah campus in July 2019.


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