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Karratha students will explore the world of global finance and leadership when The University of Western Australia visits their classrooms this week to help stimulate interest in exciting new opportunities for future Pilbara business careers.

The visits form part of a UWA Gives Back Pilbara Tour to celebrate the University's Centenary Year and encourage local high school students in the region to consider studying business at UWA to gain new knowledge for their resources-rich communities.

Among the visitors is UWA student Rachel Fong, who grew up in Broome with cousins in Karratha, and who is in her final year of studies for a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a major in Finance.

Rachel has secured a graduate position with global resources company BHP Billiton and will invite students at St Luke's College this morning and Karratha Senior High School tomorrow morning to draw inspiration from her own story.

"I am excited to be going to the Pilbara to personally tell all of you who come from a small town like me to get out, to experience the world, to study further and embrace all these opportunities that are only a two-hour plane trip away," Rachel said.

"Studying after Year 12 is so important - it gives you an endless amount of career opportunities, as well as the ability to make new friends and develop your independence.

"UWA is more than just a place to study - it's also a place to experience new things and make memories that would otherwise be just a daydream- I'm loving every minute of it!"

Visitors from Aspire UWA - which works with partner schools in the Pilbara to raise and support university aspirations - will host classroom activities, including a ‘Mind your Own Business' interactive competition for aspiring young CEOs.

The Aspire UWA team will also provide information on scholarships, alternative entry pathways to university and support for disadvantaged students.

Former Newman Senior High School student James McClements, who now oversees more than $3 billion in international business investments for a business he co-founded - Resource Capital Funds (RCF) - will lead informal student discussions on how to be an effective leader in the classroom, workplace and community.

The UWA Gives Back Pilbara Tour is presented by the UWA Business School as part of the University's 2013 Centenary Celebrations to encourage high school students to consider tertiary studies and stimulate local debate on important regional issues at a series of high-level Leadership Lunches in Karratha, Port Hedland and Newman.

The July 1-5 Pilbara Tour is supported by BHP Billiton, Woodside and Resource Capital Funds.

Media references

Verity Chia (UWA Business School External Relations)  (+61 8) 6488 1346
Louise Pollard (Aspire UWA)  (+61 8)  6488 3646  /  (+61 4) 12 267 148
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783