ANU graduate Paul Hayes. Photo by James Giggacher.
A new relationship between The Australian National University and The Smith Family will improve educational opportunities and increase access to university for young Australians from disadvantaged backgrounds. Signed today by ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young and The Smith Family CEO Lisa O'Brien, the cooperative relationship agreement will support The Smith Family's Learning for Life program ' which gives disadvantaged children and young people the assistance they need to develop vital life skills, stay engaged in their education and have the best chance to realise their potential. Recent ANU graduate Paul Hayes said the Learning for Life program helped him achieve his dream of going to university and changing his life for the better. 'From a young age, I knew I wanted to go to university to have a better life than my parents,' said Mr Hayes. 'I wanted the dignity of financial independence and wanted not to follow my parents into teenage parenthood, unemployment and drug addiction. The Smith Family helped me complete my schooling and move from Queensland to achieve my goal of studying at Australia's national university.' As part of the agreement, ANU will provide additional scholarships to Learning for Life students and will collaborate with The Smith Family to provide a range of other initiatives including tutoring, mentoring, university visits and enrichment programs. Professor Young said that the agreement demonstrates the University's commitment to improving the educational opportunities for all young Australians.
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