Bright future … Ali Abubaker has been awarded a $2000 scholarship. 64671 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Xavier Smerdon
A TRUGANINA student with a passion for computers and a dream to serve Australia has been awarded a life changing scholarship.
Sixteen-year-old Ali Abubaker from Al Taqwa College is one of 236 Victorian students to take home a Defence Technical Scholarship to help him become a communications technician with the Australian Army.
“I got interested in computers because I’ve been doing IT,” Ali said.
“I just thought I would try something new and have a crack at it.”
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, said the $2000 scholarship would help students like Ali learn a trade while they are at school.
“Students in Year 11 and 12 receive financial support to learn a trade, and at the same time they’re encouraged to stay and complete their senior school years, so it’s a win-win situation for them, the community and Defence,” Mr Snowdon said.
“The Defence Technical Scholarship program aims to address the national shortage of technical trade qualified people within the Australian workforce while demonstrating Defence’s commitment to compete for its fair share of them.”
Ali, who’s parents are originally from Ethiopia, said he wanted to do his part for the country.
“I was happy and excited when I found out I had gotten the scholarship,” he said.
“I want to work in IT but I also want to help out the government.”
Ali is also in the running to receive a tour of all of Australia’s major army bases.
