Granting opportunity
Indigenous economics student aims to give back
This Giving Day, Contact spoke to Jackson Daylight – a Nughi man from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke) and a scholarship recipient at UQ – about what the support of donors has meant to him.
Jackson Daylight is a second-year Bachelor of Commerce and Economics student at UQ, as well as a 2022 recipient of the Economics Undergraduate Indigenous Scholarship – a scholarship that empowers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students with a keen interest in economics through financial support.
For Jackson, receiving this scholarship has been "life-changing".
“It felt like a really big relief that I was able to reduce my working hours and focus on studying, rather than having to worry about my financial situation,” he said.
“This scholarship supports students like me with day-to-day living. It enables us to focus on what we're here to do at university: study, achieve good grades and make our people proud.”
As a proud Indigenous man, Jackson is inspired to give back to Indigenous communities when he graduates.
“I would like to use the knowledge gained from university to connect with these communities and improve the economic development of these regions,” he said.
“Giving back to my people has been, and will continue to be, a really big passion of mine.
“I would like to work in Queensland. It’s home to me – it’s always been home to me, and it’s been home to my people for thousands of years.”
UQ recently launched The Queensland Commitment to address educational disadvantage in Queensland. Together, the aim is to ensure that by 2032, every Queensland student accepted into UQ has the support they need to overcome challenges in studying at university – personal, financial or geographical.
By supporting The Queensland Commitment, you enhance critical pathway programs, create need-based scholarships and provide accommodation support for Queensland students – creating more opportunities for talented individuals, like Jackson, to fulfil their potential at UQ.
This support has a meaningful impact in the lives of students.
“If I met the people who donated money towards my scholarship, I would be lost for words. I’d thank them and tell them their funds meant I was supported through university. It’s life-changing, really,” Jackson said.
“If I ever get the chance, I'll give back by creating my own scholarship at UQ. It's support like this – support that doesn't come every day – that’s so special to receive.”
Support students like Jackson today
Our goal is to bring together 2,022 donors on Giving Day to support The Queensland Commitment and other important causes at UQ. Join us to create change for Queensland.
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