Your Future, Our Focus 2024

The William Cooper Institute (WCI) is immensely proud to announce the launch of our latest initiative, 'Your Future, Our Focus' (YFOF). This innovative program, developed in collaboration with the South-East Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs), provides Koorie secondary students across all year levels with invaluable opportunities to explore higher education and discover the diverse programs offered at Monash University. This inaugural event is the first of its kind to extend an invitation to Koorie students at every stage of their secondary education.

Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to connect with peers from local schools in the south-east region, as well as with current WCI student ambassadors. They engaged in culturally immersive and faculty-based activities designed to inspire and educate.

South-East KESO Peter Dye emphasised the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for our youth, stating, “An integral part of any program designed for our young mob is to provide a safe place for them to connect with each other, allowing space to feel inspired.” Peter said this program definitely helped students aim for goals they previously thought were unattainable. “I have spoken with our Koorie students from multiple schools about the success of the program - many of which hadn’t considered university as a pathway to employment because they don’t have family members that have gone to university. Since attending YFOF, these students now have a goal of completing Year 12 and attending Monash University and are already looking forward to attending next year’s program.”

The program featured two dynamic workshops, a guided campus tour, and a curated hub where students interacted with various faculties through the theme, “I’m good at X, therefore I could study X” (see graphic below).

One of the workshops, led by Professor Chris Lawrence, Associate Dean (Indigenous) from the Faculty of Information Technology, introduced students to the world of coding. Professor Lawrence demonstrated how Indigenous knowledge —such as identity, language, and symbols—can be integrated into technology. He also covered fundamental technology principles related to design, gamification, and human-computer interaction.

Another engaging workshop was conducted by Monash Human Power and Monash DeepNeuron. Monash Human Power’s wind tunnel workshop allowed students to experience the process of designing and testing aerodynamic objects, offering a glimpse into the aerodynamics industry. Meanwhile, Monash DeepNeuron’s Deep Learning Workshop provided insights into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and fostered a collaborative learning environment for students.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the South-East KESOs for their unwavering support and dedication to inspiring the next generation of Koorie leaders. We also thank each faculty member for their creative contributions, Jack Stevens and the Engineering student teams, Professor Chris Lawrence, and our exceptional WCI student ambassadors. Your relentless efforts and commitment make such impactful events possible.

The meaningful conversations and experiences shared during this event are pivotal in shaping our Koorie students’ future pathways. We hope that by familiarising themselves with Monash University at this early stage, students will feel more comfortable and confident when making decisions about their future. We’re excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on these emerging leaders and look forward to nurturing our relationship with them throughout their secondary education, with hopes of welcoming them to study or work with us in the future.