African student a shining example to community

A former refugee from the Congo is achieving her dream of becoming a positive community role model through a prestigious scholarship offered at Charles Darwin University.

Carine Kapiamba-Tshimbu has come a long way since she moved from Africa to Darwin in 2008, unable to speak English.

The mother of four has been accepted into the TIO Business Career Pathway Scholarship program, which aims to enhance the skills of future leaders in the Northern Territory.

Carine said she was amazed by the number of study opportunities available to her since she arrived in Australia on a Humanitarian Visa.

“I came from another background but was given the same opportunities (as other Australians),” Carine said.

“If I hadn’t received support from CDU and the government, I wouldn’t be where I am today. For this, I am very grateful.”

Carine has overcome numerous challenges since fleeing from the war-torn Congo in 2004 with her husband and three children - her fourth child was born during her travels.

“When you look at all of the things I have been through, you’ll see it’s not so easy to experience or overcome,” she said.

“I worked so hard to learn the language and the culture in Australia and I am still working hard.”

The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment student is now an Australian resident and has received numerous scholarships to assist with her studies over the years.

In order to improve her English and gain business skills, Carine completed a Certificate II, III and IV in Business and a Diploma in Business Administration at CDU. Carine then undertook a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Management and Human Resources, and was employed as a Business lecturer at CDU last year.

“Education takes away the veil of the unknown and transforms people to useful instruments of community development,” she said.

In the future Carine hopes to attain a career in leadership management and wants to own her own business.

Carine is also a recipient of other scholarships, including the Chief Minister’s Study Scholarship for Women (2010) and the inaugural Charles See Kee Leadership scholarship (2011). She was also named Vocational Student of the Year at the 2011 NT Training awards.

The TIO Business Career Pathway Scholarship has been established through the Charles Darwin University Foundation.