News, information and research on student equity in higher education from the NCSEHE Director, Professor Sue Trinidad.

The Australian Government Department of Education and Training (DET) is funding a program of Competitive grants to improve low SES student, low SES Indigenous student, and low SES regional and remote student and student influencer access to information about higher education study options, pathways, and careers.

The NCSEHE has been charged with establishing, implementing and managing the Program. Therefore, we are pleased to invite EOIs from Table A universities for up to two projects under each of the following two themes:

1. Key influencers of low socioeconomic status (SES) students, low SES regional, rural and remote students, and low SES Indigenous students towards higher education pathways and career choices.
2. Higher education careers advice for low SES students, including low SES Indigenous students and low SES regional, rural and remote students.

More information here. 

A new NCSEHE data site launched this month allows researchers, practitioners, institutions, students and policymakers to examine trends in higher education enrolment in Australia in recent years, and in relation to equity group enrolment.

Users can explore trends in equity group numbers among Australia’s undergraduate population, view outcomes by university, and make comparisons with institutions in a given state or territory, or institutional grouping.

The interactive resource is the first part of a broader project to promote public access to data about student equity outcomes in Australian higher education.

Continue reading. 

A nationwide initiative by the NCSEHE, led by Dr Nadine Zacharias and Mr Matt Brett has informed fundamental principles for shaping an equitable higher education system moving into the next decade.

The collaborative process yielded a core policy statement: The Best Chance for All.

Over 150 stakeholders across the Student Equity 2030 Project directly shaped the policy statement and key recommendations to achieve a more equitable higher education system. 

Recommendations for future policy, practice and research were directed to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training (DET) and higher education institutions.

Read the full report, The Best Chance for All: Student equity 2030 — A long-term strategic vision for student equity in higher education.

A new study has quantified participation and success of equity students undertaking courses delivered through university third party arrangements and non-university higher education institutions.

Many courses were being delivered successfully outside of universities, but better regulation and improved transparency would ensure every provider and every form of delivery effectively contributes to student equity.

The research on student equity at, and beyond, the university boundary was conducted by La Trobe University in collaboration with Victoria University, and funded by the NCSEHE.

Read the full report, Equity at and beyond the boundary of Australian universities.

Professor Sarah O’Shea (University of Wollongong) is being supported by the NCSEHE throughout 2019 to undertake research on post-graduation outcomes and employment mobility of individuals who are first in their family to complete a university degree. 

Sarah now presents an overview of the project's context, methodology, key questions and preliminary discussion.

"For many students, particularly those from more diverse backgrounds, the 'relations between higher education and work are fragmented'.

The increasing costs of attaining a degree coupled with the limited guarantee of employment post-graduation suggests that we need to carefully examine whether higher education is delivering employment objectives for our diverse student populations."

‘Mind the Gap!’ Exploring the post-graduation outcomes and employment mobility of individuals who are first in their family to complete a university degree — Context Paper

Jane Britt has overcome significant personal challenges with deteriorating vision and hearing loss in order to follow her passions and realise her goals.

"I want to be a strong voice for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. I also believe in teaching self-advocacy which might encourage others to speak up if they’ve previously felt unable to do so.

I will continue to write about my experiences and those of others to be an agent for change for all of us."

Jane writes for the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET).

Continue reading Jane's story: The Road Less Travelled. 

As a component of the DET National Regional, Rural and Remote Education Strategy, responses were invited to a framing paper published on 20 December 2018.

The paper outlined the background of the strategy formation, the problems facing regional, rural and remote education and the challenges faced by those communities.

The NCSEHE provided action-oriented responses based on Centre research and a communiqué developed from the symposium discussion at the 2018 Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA) Conference. 

Read the NCSEHE submission. 

The second World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) will be held in late November 2019.

The first WAHED, led by the National Education Opportunity Network (NEON) involved more than 100 organisations from 30 countries.

The NCSEHE hosted the 2018 WAHED Australia hub conference at Curtin University, Perth, attracting 138 delegates from across Australia.

If you would like more information about being involved in 2019, contact Access@WorldAccessHE.com.

Kind regards,
Professor Sue Trinidad
Director
National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education