The Aspire program provides professional development and governance training for Muslim women who are:
Participants will learn how to improve governance within their community organisations while also developing their own leadership skills.
Applications for the program are currently closed. Email [email protected] to receive a notification when applications open.
Thirty-two young women completed the 2017 and 2018 Aspire programs, which were delivered by the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre in partnership with the Islamic Council of Victoria.
The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre was awarded a grant from the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation to deliver Aspire for two more cohorts of young women and, while doing so, train select past participants to progressively assume responsibility for subsequent iterations of the program.
Graduating from Aspire.
Aspire is designed for Muslim women who:
During the Aspire program you will:
"It has been great meeting such like-minded young women who are as ambitious as me and as interested in wanting to implement positive change within our communities."
– 2017 participant
Dates: 2021 dates to be advised.
Offered by: Sir Zelman Cowen Centre.
Location: City Queen Campus, Victoria University, Melbourne (plus 1–2 offsite events).
Fees: The program is free for successful applicants.*
*Course costs only. Travel costs (to and from the course) will not be covered.
Pitching ideas.
You will participate in a series of on and off campus activities.
Please note that these workshops are indicative only and subject to change.
Learning from expert mentors.
Aspire is open to high-achieving young leaders who:
We encourage you to apply if you:
Note: you do not have to be a current or past student of Victoria University. If you meet the above criteria, you are welcome to apply for the Aspire program.
Stepping outside of comfort zones.
Sixteen young women (aged 18-24) will be selected for the Aspire program each year. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.
Email [email protected] to receive a notification when applications open for 2021.
"Young Muslim women can lead big change."
– 2019 participant
Working together to create change.
Each year, the Aspire cohort creates a suite of resources. These resources are made freely available online.
Participants of the 2019 program created online interactive resources on four governance topics.
Each year, the Aspire cohort creates a suite of resources. These resources are made freely available online.
Participants of the 2018 program created training packages on four governance topics and facilitated tailored governance workshops for their respective Muslim community organisations.
Participants of the 2017 program created five governance guides which were displayed to over 300 people at the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre’s Faith Based Governance and Dispute Resolution Conference in December 2017.
The Aspire 2017 photo gallery can be viewed online.
Resources designed by the community for the community.
The Centre enlists the help of ‘model agencies’ - organisations with excellent governance - to assist with several aspects of the Aspire program, including the mentoring component.
If you have any questions about the program, or would like to become involved as a guest speaker or partner organisation, please contact [email protected].
"The program was incredible! It was a great way to meet passionate individuals who later became great friends."
– 2017 participant
