UOW student one of Australia’s top 100 Bright Young Minds

24 Jun 2008 | Kate McIlwain

21-year-old University of Wollongong student Melissa Abu-Gazaleh has been selected as one of Australia’s top 100 Bright Young Minds and will participate in a national summit in July.

The Brightest Young Minds Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in Australia in July 2007.

“The purpose of the Bright Young Minds summit is to allow these exceptional individuals to collaborate on the development of new social initiatives which they will ultimately launch and run themselves,” the Bright Young Minds Executive Team said.

“They will lead with discipline and commitment but most importantly success. They will lead by example and be emulated by others, setting off a ripple effect across Australia’s youth”.

The application and interview process for the top 100 Bright Young Minds looks beyond the IQ of the applicant. Qualities such as leadership, passion, creativity, initiative, intelligence and perseverance are sought.

“I am excited to have been chosen out of the hundreds of applicants,” Ms Abu-Gazaleh said.

“Being with the top young minds in Australia will be so powerful. I am keen to raise issues that are on the minds of young people. Most importantly I want to look at developing and implementing solutions to social issues that we are all affected by”.

Ms Abu-Gazaleh is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies. She is also the Managing Director of Best Catch Australia Ltd., a not-for-profit organisation that profiles young men who volunteer in their local community and to empower them to break stereotypes.

The National Summit will take place July 6-10 in Sydney and will be facilitated by 2004 Young Australian of the Year, Hugh Evans.

To contact Ms Abu-Gazaleh please call 0404630013 or email melissa@bestcatch.com.au