Clemenger Group’s LEVO establishes Indigenous Technology Scholarship with UTS

Clemenger Group strategic design and technology consultancy LEVO has announced its inaugural LEVO Indigenous Technology Scholarship with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

The scholarship will offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the opportunity to pursue a career in technology, with LEVO covering 100 per cent of a scholarship recipient’s tuition fees (up to $35,000) to complete an undergraduate degree in Software Engineering or Creative Industries.

The recipient will also be offered a paid internship with LEVO, where they will have the opportunity to acquire job-ready skills in a team of multi-disciplinary technologists and business practitioners who rapidly advance organisational transformation for a host of organisations in Australia.

Students will also be assigned a LEVO mentor who will help them navigate their studies and prepare for career in technology.

LEVO chief executive officer, Cale Maxwell (pictured) said the scholarship was co-designed with UTS to combat the current underrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the technology industry and promote greater diversity and inclusion across all academic fields.

Says Maxwell: “We know that with the expanding digitisation of our economy, underrepresentation in technology will further marginalise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, leading to an even greater societal inequality. To prevent the perpetuation of inequality in emerging technologies like generative AI, it’s crucial to integrate greater diversity and the perspectives of Indigenous people.

“This issue affects the entire technology industry, not just LEVO. Rather than hiding behind this fact, we are addressing these concerns by supporting Indigenous students as they take the first steps in their technology career.

“We also know that studying is just one step in building a career. By also offering scholarship recipients the opportunity to get firsthand experience and expert guidance with the LEVO team, we hope to provide them with the tools they need to meaningfully participate in our industry.”

The announcement of the scholarship coincides with NAIDOC Week, a time when Australians have the opportunity to learn more about First Nations people and celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Says Maxwell: “We are excited to support the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on their journey in the technology sector and to continue to progress indigenous representation in our field.”

Applications for the LEVO Indigenous Technology Scholarship will open in July, with the first recipient to be awarded by early September. More information will be available this month at the UTS website.