More than 100 students from 24 schools, across some of the State’s most remote regions, will arrive at The University of Western Australia next week to take part in a program aimed at demystifying university education and opening the teenagers’ eyes to study opportunities.

Aspire has enabled more than 1,500 year nine students from the Midwest, Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley to attend one week camps at UWA since the program started in 2009.

UWA School Partnerships North West Coordinator, Sasha Peppinck, said for many of the students it’s the first time they have ever set foot on a university campus in Perth.

“We give these year nine students a chance to see what study involves across a range of disciplines from engineering and astrophysics to law, medicine, languages and psychology,” Ms Peppinck said.

“Students participate in hands on, interactive activities at UWA and stay at a residential college to experience life as a uni student.

“It demystifies through experience and helps them make informed decisions about what to do when they finish high school.”

Students are mentored during the Aspire camps by current UWA students both from regional schools and other partner schools in the Perth and Peel regions.

“By finding out the many pathways available during this experience, they can see how furthering their skills through degrees could positively impact not only them, but their family and community,” she said.

Ms Peppinck said some schools didn’t send students to the Aspire camp last year because of COVID-19 concerns but most were back on board this year. 

Aspire UWA first held a camp for Pilbara students in 2009 and the program was expanded to the Kimberley, Midwest and Gascoyne in 2012.  This year, Aspire renewed these partnerships with schools for another three years.