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Curtin graduate Ronnie Bosuen never thought he would one day own his own business, have a family and graduate from university with two degrees.
The 37-year-old graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Indigenous Community Management and Development) in a ceremony recently held at Curtin’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS).
Ronnie comes from Napranum, a remote community of just under 1000 people on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula, and travelled to Perth with his wife and four children to attend the graduation ceremony.
“To have my children seeing their daddy up there getting my degree was amazing because at the end of the day, I was doing this for them,” Ronnie said.
“I would have never thought a person like me would be here, doing the things I’m doing today, and at the same time graduating with the friends I have developed over the past three years at Curtin.”
Indigenous Pathways Solutions (IPS), a business Ronnie started in 2009 specialises in providing services to the mining, construction and civil industries.
It sources work ready, skilled Indigenous staff through IPS training programs.
“Programs are tailored to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to obtain long-term employment across the resource sector and mining industries,” he said.
CAS Director, Associate Professor Simon Forrest said he was proud to see so many Indigenous students graduating.
“The students have worked tirelessly and achieved some fantastic results in their chosen area of study,” Associate Professor Forrest said.
Ronnie urges others to get involved and study at CAS.
“I would encourage others to contact staff at CAS, get information on the different courses they have and make a difference in your life, your community and your future ¬- just like I have,” he said.
Ronnie also graduated from CAS in 2009 with an Associate Degree in Indigenous Community Management and Development.
Dr Cheryl Kickett-Tucker from Pindi Pindi – The National Research Centre for Aboriginal Children, Families and Community was the guest speaker at the ceremony.
Curtin has one of the highest enrolments of Indigenous students studying at any university in Australia.
Note to media: Photos are available on request.
