NT’s Aspire program graduation includes nine First Nations students

Disadvantaged Territorians are set to finish school empowered and ready to chase their dreams. Read more to learn what one young lady now hopes to study.

For Iris Chenhall, the world is truly her oyster after the Alice Springs student graduated from a life changing program this month.

Ms Chenhall, 18, was one of 22 graduates of this year’s CDU Aspire program which supports students in regional or remote areas, of First Nations descent or students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Of this year’s graduates, nine were of First Nations descent.

Graduates of 2023's Aspire Program. Picture: Yuvraj Pokhrel

The Red Centre student said the program had given her a “clearer understanding” of what opportunities existed.

“(The program) provided me with so much more opportunities and experiences to just have a clearer understanding of what my opportunities are after school,” Ms Chenhall said.

“Obviously in Alice Springs we have the CDU campus but it only offers a very limited options, so through the Aspire program I was able to see so many more opportunities of what might be possible after finishing year 12.”

And what does Ms Chenhall want to study?

“I want to go study medicine so I’ve applied to a whole bunch of different (universities) in the hope of being able to do that.”

Iris Chenhall, right, wants to study medicine after having graduated from the Aspire Program. Picture: Yuvraj Pokhrel

Program officer Louise Turner said many students had limited exposure or understanding of higher education due to the Territory’s remoteness.

“Students on the Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land or in Katherine don’t have a university they can go and look at down the street,” she said.

“Our program is essentially coaching young people for success in a structure that runs throughout high school.

“It involves residential experiences as well where students can actually come onto campus from other parts of the NT and experience university.”

The program “breaks down barriers” to give Territorians an insight into University. Picture: Yuvraj Pokhrel

Ms Turner said she hoped the program would grow.

“I would love it to continue to grow to show students that university is for them and university is for everyone and continue to break down these barriers.”

For information on the program, visit https://www.cdu.edu.au/aspire