Students get a taste of uni life - and the sea

Friday, 5 May 2000

A select group of high school students from the State's remote areas will have the rare opportunity to see, smell and touch the sea while they are in Adelaide early next week - but just as importantly, they will also be learning about how it works.

The students - from as far away as Marree and Coober Pedy - will be in Adelaide as part of an innovative program involving all three South Australian universities.

The two-day Experience Uni - Securing a Future program will involve Aboriginal students in "hands-on" activities at each university.

For example, at Adelaide University, students will be able to examine a coastal modelling basin which simulates how the ocean works - and then compare this to the real thing at West Beach, where they are staying.

Students from other places such as Port Augusta, Ceduna, Naracoorte and Mount Gambier will also be attending the program, being held on Monday 8 May and Tuesday 9 May.

Program coordinator, Ms Sonja Kurtzer, says the program is unique because it brings the three South Australian universities together with the aim of benefiting rural-based Aboriginal high school students.

"Many of these students may not know of anyone else in their family or peer group who has attended university," Ms Kurtzer says.

"In bringing them to Adelaide, we hope to encourage them to think about university education as a means to a better career. Our aim is to educate students but along the way we hope to show them that university study can also be lots of fun."

Experience Uni - Securing a Future is sponsored by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

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