The Northern Rivers Times
4
January 11, 2024!!!
NEWS
Government Funding Boost: SAE and ACAP Receive $1.26 Million for Byron Bay Campus By Jeff Gibbs
Northern Rivers region harbors the highest count
SAE Creative Media
of creative practitioners
Institute (SAE) and the
and enterprises outside
Australian College of
the nation’s capital
Applied Professions
cities. Fernanda
(ACAP) are pleased
Gerdes, an alumna and
to announce their
former recipient of the
collective attainment
Destination Australia
of $1.26 million in
scholarship, shared her
funding from the
transformative journey.
Australian Government’s
“Receiving the
Destination Australia
Destination Australia
program. This substantial
scholarship transformed
grant will facilitate 36
my life,” Fernanda
scholarships, fostering
shared. “It not only
educational opportunities
facilitated my relocation
in creative media and
from Brazil to Byron
counselling at the vibrant
Bay but also empowered
Byron Bay campus
me to establish a thriving
on Ewingsdale Road.
art business after
This initiative aims to
graduation.”
invigorate growth in the
This financial infusion
Northern Rivers region.
reinforces SAE and
first-generation tertiary
counselling industry.
students, individuals
“This investment
with disabilities, and
will provide financial
First Nations people.
assistance to domestic
The program covers
counselling students
various study areas at
aspiring to live and study
SAE, encompassing
in the Northern Rivers
amounting to $15,000
animation, audio, film,
region,” he remarked.
per student annually.
games, and music, while
“Furthermore, these
These scholarships
ACAP offers eligible
funds will bolster the
support students
courses like the one-year
burgeoning counselling
studying and residing
Diploma of Counselling
sector, forecasted to
in regional Australia.
Skills and the three-year
grow by 14% until
Priority will be given
Bachelor of Counselling.
2026.”
to domestic students
ACAP’s CEO, George
Dr. Luke McMillan,
from underrepresented
Garrop, emphasized the
SAE’s General Manager,
backgrounds, including
funding’s significance
expressed enthusiasm
those from low
and the anticipated
about the funding,
socio-economic status,
prospects within the
lauding the exceptional
The Destination Australia program empowers eligible tertiary education providers, like SAE and ACAP, to offer scholarships
ACAP’s dedication to delivering exceptional creative media and counselling programs, concurrently bolstering the Northern Rivers’ economy. educational experience and support offered at the Byron Bay campus. “This announcement underscores SAE’s commitment to extending financial support to new international and domestic students, enabling them to pursue their aspirations,” he
stated. “Simultaneously, it contributes to the growth of the Northern Rivers’ creative media industry.” Byron Bay boasts a thriving creative community, hosting the most significant concentration of creative industry professionals in regional Australia. The
Destination Australia scholarships will be available for new students commencing their studies in February 2024. To apply now, visit the SAE https://sae.edu. au/destination-australiascholarship/ and ACAP https://www.acap.edu. au/destination-australiascholarship/ websites.
