Going on to start a PhD in optical physics, the 23-year-old has a bright future ahead of him, one he may not have been able to reach without the assistance of a Lift Off Education Scholarship.
Spread over three years, Mr Sulejman said the scholarship had allowed him to pursue his postgraduate studies at the University of Melbourne.
“I care for my family as my father’s unwell, the scholarship has allowed me to afford going back and forth to Melbourne to look after them,” Mr Sulejman said.
“It’s also offered me a support network, to have those people around guiding and supporting you, offering opportunities to go out into the community to present your work and story, to hopefully inspire others.
“It basically would not have been possible without it to continue my studies in a city, so far away from home.”
Graduating from Shepparton High School in 2016, Mr Sulejman did not know his career path would lead him into physics, let alone into a PhD.
His PhD studies in optical physics will start in March, in which Mr Sulejman will investigate new approaches to imaging live biological cells and objects through smoke and turbid media.
In addition to his studies, Mr Sulejman works as a School of Physics undergraduate teacher at the university, and has taken on leadership roles as a science ambassador and mentor.
“I’m really grateful for all the scholarship has offered me, I hope that others can also benefit from the support of it, too,” he said.
In a collaboration between Greater Shepparton Foundation and Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, the scholarships are a response to the increasing number of young people unable to afford the transition from secondary education to further education.
Since 2015, more than $470,000 has been allocated to 112 students.
Greater Shepparton Foundation chief executive Cheryl Hammer said assisting in breaking down barriers for rural students was incredibly rewarding.
“Of course we understand someone as talented as Shaban will receive a great deal of support along the way, but Lift Off was able to support him at a time where he needed financial resources to continue on his education dreams,” Ms Hammer said.
“With every contact we have with Shaban he is growing in confidence and is emerging as a leader and positive role model for other young people.”
Ms Hammer said past studies showed young people from regional areas in Victoria deferred university studies at twice the rate of their metropolitan counterparts.
Meanwhile, only half finish secondary school and a quarter go on to tertiary education.
Lift Off scholarships are awarded to young people aged 16 to 25 years for approved higher education courses including diplomas and bachelor programs and range from $2000 for one year and up to $10,000 over three years.
2022 Lift Off scholarship applications are being assessed and will be awarded in the coming weeks.
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