Teen parliament scholarship winners get fast start to further education

As the election draws nearer, it’s time to make the voices of young South Australians louder.

Three inspirational members of Teen parliament 2022 will take a step ahead in their careers thanks to generous support of state business leaders and the Advertiser Foundation.

India Ciura from Port Lincoln, Mobin Achakzai from Windsor Gardens and Adrian Niculescu from Grange have each been awarded a $10,000 education scholarship.

Teen parliament was held last week in the House of Assembly under guidance of Speaker Dan Cregan.

An Advertiser initiative, it raised the views of young South Australians ahead of this month’s election.

Advertiser Foundation executive director Alex Dimos said the enthusiasm of the teens was wonderful.

“They really care about SA,” she said.

“Hearing from them affirmed that we’re doing the right thing investing in SA’s future.”

South Australian Teen parliament members and scholarship awardees India Ciura, Adrian Niculescu and Mobin Achakzai. Picture Emma Brasier

India, 17, a year 12 student at St Joseph’s School Port Lincoln spoke passionately about the need for better mental health services for young people and was forceful in “parliamentary” debate.

She aims to study psychology at Adelaide University and return to practise in Port Lincoln.

“This scholarship is huge because I had thought I’d have to spent a gap year working to save money for uni but now I’ll be able to start next year,” she said.

Her scholarship was sponsored by HomeStart Finance and the Advertiser Foundation.

The teens touched on “some of SA’s most pressing issues”, HomeStart chief executive Andrew Mills said.

“Teen parliament has highlighted the need to keep tapping into the minds of young South Australians,” Mr Mills said.

Mobin, 16, a year 12 student at IQRA College, called for action on homelessness and more access to higher education.

His scholarship was sponsored anonymously.

Mobin wants to study biomedical engineering at Adelaide or Flinders but because his family remain on temporary refugee visas after nearly a decade, he is not eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

Coming from Afghanistan, Mobin wants to help people who have lost limbs.

“That’s been in my mind for a long time,” he said, recalling his early childhood seeing beggars who were victims of war.

Adrian Niculescu, 16, Year 11 Sacred Heart College. Adrian called for the abolition of payroll tax as a means to attract businesses to SA and encourage start-ups.

Adrian hopes to study law and political science.

“I’m fascinated by law and how society works and want to understand political systems,” he said.

Adrian’s scholarship is an additional award provided by the Advertiser Foundation and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency which made the offer after hearing the exciting ideas put forward by the teens.

“We believe investing in the ideas of our youth enhances our enviable reputation as the most liveable city in Australia and the third most liveable city in the world,” managing director Ian Hill said.

“We hope that Adrian’s scholarship provides him with the opportunity to be a future city shaper.”