Indigenous students explore a future in engineering

Twenty talented young Indigenous students have spent the past week experiencing a taste of university life and exploring the careers open to engineering graduates.

The students were handpicked from all over the country to take part in UNSW's Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School (IAESS), which aims to steer outstanding Indigenous students into an engineering education and profession.

Currently in its tenth year, the program includes taking the students from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to EnergyAustralia's substations and to the naval base at Garden Island, as they explore the various careers available in engineering.

Students selected for the IAESS program have gone on to become role models in the profession, graduating from electrical, biomedical and civil engineering, with many returning to the program as mentors.

Ben Lange, one of EnergyAustralia's rising stars, will return for his 5th year with the program. For him, IAESS was "an eye-opening experience" that changed the direction of his life.

The week's activities culminate in a formal dinner with the Hon. Bob Hawke, patron of IAESS, and an official reception hosted by the Governor-General at his Admiralty House residence.

The program is run by the Faculty of Engineering and Nura Gili Indigenous Programs and is supported by Engineering Aid.