What are the Trailblazer Awards?
The Trailblazer Awards celebrates Year 12 students beyond their ATAR, recognising those who have overcome personal challenges and used their final year of school to positively impact their community.
Our Trailblazers will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, build their personal brand and profile as a future leader, get exam ready in our 1-day HSC Trials Accelerator, and so much more!
Find out how Daniya navigated Year 12 differently throughout 2022!
Introducing: Daniya Syed
Category: Science & Technology
School: Unity Grammar College
State: NSW
Career Aspiration: Pursuing something in the field of robotics, artificial intelligence or space
Achievements
- Awarded the title of 2021 Western Sydney Young Women of the Year
- Finalist for the NSW Women of the Year Award 2021 in the ‘One to Watch category’
- Won the 2021 and 2022 MacArthur Young Championship Award in the ‘Technology and Innovation’ category
- Lead programmer and technician for her school’s robotics team for the past 6 years
- Represented Australia internationally twice in the Japan Open Internationals 2020 and also in Europe 2018
- Will represent Australia in the FIRST Global Robotics competition (aka the Robotics Olympics) in Switzerland in October of this year with her robotics team
- Nominated and awarded an award of commendation by The Order of Australia Medal (2021) and Young Australian of the Year Awards 2022
- Co-founder of the Pakistani Youth Talent Awards hosted by Not-for-profit organisation Meri Pehchan Pakistan which strives to acknowledge the achievements and the talent of the Pakistani Youth in Australia
What makes Daniya a Trailblazer?
Daniya Syed is a super student who has not only excelled in her academic life, but has also achieved so much before she even graduated from high school! During the past two years, Daniya has been commended for her fantastic work in the field of robotics and technology, winning the 2021 Western Sydney Young Women of the Year Award, the 2021 and 2022 MacArthur Young Championship Award in the ‘Technology and Innovation’ category, the Order of Australia Medal (2021) award of commendation and the Young Australian of the Year Award 2022.
But wait, there is more! Daniya’s success exceeds receiving some amazing awards! She has been the head programmer and technician for her school’s robotics team for the past 6 years and has represented Australia with this team at an international stage in both the Japan Open Internationals 2020 and in Europe 2018. Not only that, but, at the end of this year, she is also representing Australia in October in Switzerland, competing against more than 180 different teams from all across the world!! Wow!!
But, Daniya has not only completed amazing things in the field of technology! She has also completed a variety of humanitarian work – one of her most proud achievements being the co-founder of the Pakistani Youth Talent Awards hosted by a non-profit organisation Meri Pehchan Pakistan!
Daniya is also the youth ambassador for an international charity Shahid Afridi Foundation! Through this, she was able to dedicate 4381 hours and initiating a Fundraiser raising funds to build an IT Lab for underprivileged girls in Pakistan to promote STEM Education as well as sponsoring education of out-of-school children in a community where young children are forced into child labour or substance abuse.
“But awards aside I think my proudest achievement was co-founding the Pakistani Youth Talent Awards hosted by not-for-profit organisation Meri Pehchan Pakistan which strives to acknowledge the achievements and the talent of the Pakistani Youth in Australia.”
In addition to her group robotics championships, Daniya has also found the time to pursue her individual robotics endeavours! She has created multiple technology projects, some of the most prominent in the past 2 years which include BionicAssist, an artificial device that allows a user to mimic the hand motions or gestures of their hand onto the robotic Hand by projecting their every movement, and EcoAssist — a personal plant care assistant which tracks the Humidity and Temperature of a plant.
Through her amazing work, Daniya has made a variety of media appearances, allowing her to encourage young girls to pursue and involve themselves in STEM if they had interest in doing so! Alongside this, Daniya has developed her own unique skill set, including teamwork, communication and programming in C++, Java, JavaScript, how to use CAD programs and develop an understanding of how to build robots!
The biggest challenge that Daniya faced in Year 12 was managing her time effectively between robotics and study. However, she has more than managed this challenge, excelling in all areas! Daniya hopes to pursue a career in the field of AI, robotics or space!
Daniya has shown exceptional drive and dedication, one of the many reasons why she is one of our Top 50 Trailblazers!
The Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer Awards
The Trailblazer Awards aim to identify and celebrate students who use their final years of school to invest holistically in the skills and experiences that will maximise their own future opportunities and make a contribution to the future of our society.
Our winners for the Year 12 Trailblazer Awards have demonstrated initiative in volunteering for their school or community, have participated in co-curricular activities, and have held leadership positions within their schools.
Learn more about who placed in the Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazers here!
About Art of Smart Education
At Art of Smart Education, we’re an award-winning provider of holistic tutoring and mentoring for students in years K-12. Our mission is to help students answer the difficult question, “What am I going to do with my life when I finish school, and how do I get there?”
We understand that true success involves mastering study, career and leadership skills while maintaining your wellbeing, not just excelling in academics and as a result, over the last decade, we’ve supported over 10,000 students to achieve their best and maximise their options for life after school.
Each year over one million young Australians, parents, and teachers access our guides, videos and resources to navigate the journey through high school.
