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

Expressions of interest are now open to join us for World Access to Higher Education Day on 28 November 2018.

As part of a new global initiative, the NCSEHE will host an event at Curtin University, Perth WA, engaging national and international stakeholders to positively impact worldwide equitable access to higher education.

This free event will feature:

• Keynote speech by Professor Glenn Withers 
• Student panel chaired by Professor Sally Kift 
• My Story — Student Voice: personal stories of overcoming barriers to success.
• Maria Raciti — 2018 NCSEHE Research Fellowship project
• Matt Brett and Nadine Zacharias — A Vision for Student Equity 2030 report release
• Live satellite cross to launch World Access to Higher Education Day UK
• And more...

More information and registrations here. 

The NCSEHE is seeking contributions from stakeholders in preparation of a strategic long-term vision for student equity in Australian higher education.

The Student Equity 2030 Discussion Paper aims to outline the key concepts, challenges and contradictions associated with achieving student equity in higher education, and point out possible options for resolving these challenges and contradictions.

Eight big questions will prompt broad discussion and feedback from the sector. Roundtable discussions including students, staff, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and community groups will further explore these issues. If you are interested in attending a roundtable discussion, please contact ncsehe@curtin.edu.au.

View the discussion paper and submit your responses here. 

Advocating for opportunity beyond out-of-home care

Nicola-Jean is the latest contributor to the NCSEHE Student Voice series, and will be an invited speaker at World Access to Higher Education Day. 

Spending much of her childhood in foster care, Nicola-Jean is realising her personal goals at La Trobe University.

She is pursuing a career in social work, maintaining a focus on advocating for the support of others from out-of-home care.

Continue reading Nicola-Jean's story.

The Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA), in partnership with the NCSEHE, invites you to attend the 34th National SPERA Conference on 29-30 November 2018.

'Access for All: Equity Matters' will bring together a range of education professionals, school administrators, teacher educators, academics, pre-service teachers, community members and parents who are passionate about rural education.

Conference registration will also include 2019 SPERA membership; attendance at the NCSEHE World Access to Higher Education Day on Wednesday 28 November; and attendance at the SPERA Conference welcome reception.

More information and registration here. 

Access to Work Integrated Learning: Influence of Communities of Practice is one of the 13 projects selected in the 2017 NCSEHE Research Grants Program funding round.

Well on its way to completion, the project led by the University of Technology Sydney explores the impact of the local community (engineering industry and higher education communities) on increasing participation and success in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for equity students of engineering.

Continue reading...

Over the past few months, we have had the pleasure of publishing three targeted, high-profile projects through our 2017 Equity Fellows program, each focused on improving outcomes for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The reports have been very well received across the sector and are available to download from the NCSEHE website. 

• James Smith – Strengthening evaluation within Indigenous higher education contexts in Australia
• Matt Brett – Equity, performance and accountability
• Louise Pollard – Remote student university success: an analysis of policy and practice

Read the final reports here.

The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) has supported universities Australia-wide in conducting successful widening participation activities.

In 2017, the NCSEHE showcased 35 university programs in our case studies publication Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program: Seven Years On. Sharing good practice across the sector is critical in moving toward student equity, and we continue to celebrate individual initiatives throughout 2018. 

Stronger Smarter Schools Program is a partnership program designed to break down barriers to higher education for students from low SES, regional and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. It works with teachers and school leaders to build leadership capacity and enact transformational change within schools.

I Belong programs address barriers to higher education, careers and professions among regional, low SES and Indigenous secondary school students. Students explore careers through hands-on activities; learn about benefits and opportunities from tertiary education; and develop skills and knowledge to support their school achievement and transition to tertiary studies.

Strategies for Success at Swinburne University of Technology is a flagship activity in Swinburne’s overall orientation and transition strategy. The week-long program, held two weeks before the commencement of semester, aims to facilitate students’ academic transition to the university, as well as build important social connections among students.

Peer Learning Program, established in 2015, builds on the previous University of New England science Peer Assisted Study Sessions Program. It offers a suite of student-led individual and group learning opportunities for all students. Peer learning is a robust, powerful method of learning; it is not a single undifferentiated educational strategy. 

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