Title

Notre Dame’s Bright Young Mind

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Winter 24-8-2010

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

International student, Ngwawezi Emy-Jean Banda, of The University of Notre Dame Australia, has been selected by the Brightest Young Minds (BYM) Foundation as one of the top 100 most passionate and socially conscious 18-29 year olds in the country.

Invited to participate in the BYM 2010 annual summit, Ms Banda was selected for her strong academic skills, passion to improve society, leadership, creativity and ability to come up with visionary ideas.

Based on the promotion of the idea that it is possible to be successful, powerful and responsible economic players, the BYM Foundation sees exceptional students as significant change-agents who can positively affect the pressing social issues facing Australia and the world.

Ms Banda, who is studying Commerce, said her chosen role as a delegate at the BYM summit had changed her life.

“The BYM summit helped me to realise that I don’t have to wait until tomorrow to make a change. With the right people and right attitude, our world can be made a better place to live in right now,” she said.

“One person can have a vision but with the right action and a great team, that vision can be made into a reality.”

Executive Dean of Notre Dame’s Business School, Associate Professor Sonja Bogunovich, said she was delighted to support Ms Banda’s leadership opportunity.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for Ngwawezi to represent Notre Dame’s Business School and we wanted to show our support by providing a bursary for her airfare,” she said.

Ms Banda said she and each of the selected delegates were exposed to socially responsible and internationally-respected entrepreneurs and corporations who gave them the tools to turn their passion into tangible initiatives.

“I had the opportunity to meet World Vision CEO, Tim Costello, Global Poverty Project CEO, Hugh Evans, Australian Fair Pay CEO, Ian Harper and the former Premier of NSW, Bob Carr. They all gave fantastic speeches on leadership,” she said.

“The next step for me now is to create my own not-for-profit organisation in my home country of Zambia.”

Ms Banda said she would dedicate her time to learning from other young delegates who had already established their own international organisations.

“My dream is to start two initiatives involving the building of a school for disadvantaged children and developing and implementing mobile clinics for women in rural areas,” she said.

She said she could not have realised her potential without the help, support and pastoral care of key staff at The University of Notre Dame.

“They believed in me and made sure I had the support and encouragement I needed to realise my vision for the future.”

Media Contact:

Andrea Barnard (+61) 8 9433 0610, Mob (+61) 0408 959 138

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