Asian and African-Caribbean boys aim high

Male Asian and African-Caribbean students will find out what opportunities the future holds when they visit the University of Birmingham this week for the Looking Forward, Aiming High conferences.

The university, in conjunction with Aimhigher, will welcome year 10 males from schools in Birmingham and Solihull, beginning on 21 June with Asian pupils, followed by African-Caribbean students on 22 June.

The programme for both days includes interactive workshops on topics as wide ranging as rockets, music technology and psychology.  Boys will also hear talks from successful role models to find out their secrets to success.

The keynote speaker for both days is Andrew Mohammed, also known as The Investigator, who is one of the UK’s leading black history and culture specialists.  Andrew will be highlighting areas such as identity, exclusion and raising self-esteem.

Students will also get the opportunity to talk to current University of Birmingham students to find out more about what it is like to be a university student.

Previous Looking Forward, Aiming High events have included positive feedback. Eighty five per cent of boys found the conference useful, while 76 per cent said the event had influenced their future intentions/career decisions.

Conference Officer, Joanne Raybould, said: "This is a Wonderful example of partnership working, which opens up opportunities for these groups of young men."

Ends

Media information: Anna Dingley, Press Officer, on 0121 4158134/07769 952763, email a.j.dingley@bham.ac.uk 

Aimhigher is a national Government initiative to increase the number of young people entering higher education and to attract individuals from groups in society who are currently under-represented in HE.