BHP Billiton has committed a further A$10 million to the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) to fund an additional 90 secondary and tertiary scholarships for
Indigenous students in Australia.
AIEF’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Penfold, said the funding would make a substantial difference.
“One of the biggest barriers to achieving Indigenous equality in Australia is education – we know we have found a sustainable, and scalable, solution that works. We’re seeing it in
action every day.
“We’re very pleased to be working with BHP Billiton and, together with the students and their families, celebrating the success we are achieving each year.”
Students who receive secondary scholarships board at a range of Perth-based private schools. The tertiary program encourages students from across Australia to apply for
degrees in mining-related disciplines such as engineering at Australian universities.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore President, Jimmy Wilson, said the partnership with AIEF demonstrated BHP Billiton’s commitment to supporting educational and development opportunities for Indigenous people in Australia.
“Not only does the scholarship recipient benefit, they also become role models to other young people in their communities, who can then follow in their footsteps. This ripple effect is very powerful and something that we’re incredibly proud to be associated with.
“Over the past five financial years, we have committed more than A$55 million in education initiatives through the BHP Billiton Community Development Program.”
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