Former Australian Human Rights Medalist and NSW Young Australian of the Year Jack Manning Bancroft will visit The University of Queensland on Friday (3 May).
He will launch a mentoring program designed to dramatically improve the chances of Indigenous children finishing school.
Manning Bancroft is the founder and CEO of Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
“The visit is an opportunity to profile the amazing work that The University of Queensland is doing on the ground to see the day when Indigenous children finish school at the same rate as all Australian children,” he said.
“It’s so good to see universities that are committed to making sure every child has the chance to shoot for the best possible education.
“UQ is leading the way by ensuring our first Australians get the same opportunities as every Australian child.
“This is an outstanding thing. Their leadership should be applauded.”
UQ has partnered with AIME this year and is excited about the impact it can make in driving the academic achievement of Indigenous students.
AIME’s on-ground program engages more than 2000 Indigenous high school students and 1000 university students at 16 universities across Australia.
In 2012, the year 9 to 12 completion rate for AIME students was 71.2 percent – exceeding the national Indigenous average of 38 percent and approaching the national non-Indigenous average of 79.2 percent.
AIME plans to reach 10,000 Indigenous students annually by 2016 and have them finishing school at the same rate as every Australian child.
“We’re so excited to share the magic formula that we’ve applied so successfully over the last nine years working with Indigenous kids, so that more people around Australia and the world are able to unlock the limitless potential that lies within them,” Manning Bancroft said.
To become an AIME mentor at UQ or find out more about the AIME Mentors 4 Life Program, see: www.aimementoring.com.
Manning Bancroft will be available for photos and interviews following the session (11am – 12pm AEST) to talk about the impact that UQ is having on its local community, as well as mentoring, entrepreneurship and running one of Australia’s most dynamic businesses as one of Australia’s youngest CEOs.
Media: Carly McTavish, 0458 009 608 or cmt@aimementoring.com. UQ Marketing and Communications Officer, Kate Bishop, 3346 7887 or k.bishop3@uq.edu.au.
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