Indigenous Scholarship by IHG
The search has begun for an inaugural candidate for the IHG Scholarship, a new program to support a student of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent through Bond University’s three-year Bachelor of Tourism Management.
The Bond University IHG Scholarship, which covers all tuition costs for the six consecutive semesters of the degree commencing 2012, also guarantees an internship with IHG.
The IHG Scholarship is the latest initiative to be undertaken by IHG as it works to meet its target of having 2% of its total workforce in Australia made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by 2013. This commitment was officially recognised by Reconciliation Australia when IHG became the first hotel company in Australia to establish a Reconciliation Action Plan last year.
“IHG is in its second decade of close partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide the same opportunities that are available to other Australians. Our RAP provides the framework, resources and support network to broaden the scope of that commitment,” said IHG chief operating officer Australasia and Bond University hospitality school board member, Bruce McKenzie.
“This new partnership, with one of Australia’s most respected educators of this industry’s young talent, is an example of the work we’re doing to create new ways to attract Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to a career in hospitality, and remove barriers to embarking on that career.”
The IHG Scholarship is part of Bond University’s growing suite of scholarships specifically tailored to high achieving Indigenous youth. Each year Bond offers full and part fee scholarships to ambitious individuals from across Australia, rewarding students for their academic, leadership and community achievements.
Bond University head of school of hotel, resort and tourism management Elizabeth Roberts said partnering with IHG demonstrates IHG’s vision for the future of the Australian tourism industry.
“The IHG scholarships will not only change the life of this student, but the communities they will return to. Indigenous tourism is a growth industry that needs resources behind it if it is to flourish.
“There is an increasing demand from tourists to see more of Australia’s indigenous culture, the outback, the Northern Territory and the Kimberleys, North Queensland and Kangaroo Island in Tasmania. Bond University is committed to supporting our community to grow this sector,” said Professor Roberts.
“The IHG scholarship will provide an indigenous student with the opportunity to gain the business acumen necessary to operate a successful tourism business and develop leadership skills.”
Bond University and IHG are seeking applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who have completed a Year 12 Certificate or its equivalent. Interested students are asked to submit their completed online application form at www.bond.edu/apply.
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