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A refugee from war-torn Afghanistan who is studying law, science and arts at The University of Western Australia has been named 2013 Young Australian of the Year.

Akram Azimi, who was born in Kabul and arrived in Australia 13 years ago, has been involved in student-led social justice initiatives at UWA and has spent five years working with True Blue Dreaming to mentor young Indigenous people from WA's Kimberley region.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said Akram's achievements showed the transformative effect of access to education in a free society.

"The University congratulates him on his outstanding achievement of being named 2013 Young Australian of the Year and commends him for his efforts to support others on campus and beyond," Professor Johnson said.

Akram has also mentored primary school students in the small WA Wheatbelt farming community of Wyalkatchem and mentored a Special Olympics athlete to help raise community awareness of disability issues.

In 2011, Akram co-founded a student-run initiative I am the Other that aims to share the nation's Indigenous heritage with non-Indigenous Australians.

He credits some of his academic success to his Warwick Senior High School teachers who he says helped nurture him from "an ostracised refugee kid with no prospects" to become the school's head boy and top the tertiary exams.

Media references

Akram Azimi (+61 4) 13 751 206
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783