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UniBridges gets $ 1.3 million
A program aimed at increasing the number of disadvantaged and regional students attending university has been given a boost of $ 1.3 million dollars by the federal government.
La Trobe University’ s Curriculum Bridges program will now be expanded from three to 12 schools in North Melbourne and Bendigo, thanks to the additional funding.
The program, most commonly known amongst students as UniBridges, aims to improve access to university studies for students from groups that are under-represented in enrolments.
Victorian senator Gavin Marshall, who made the announcement, said he is excited about the program, which helps identify students who have the potential to succeed at university.
“ I think it’ s important that schools work with tertiary education to identify those kids that have the potential to go on that otherwise wouldn’ t if there wasn’ t some intervention,” Marshall said.
La Trobe deputy vice-chancellor professor Jane Long said the program, which began as a state government pilot study in late 2012, has enabled the university to engage actively with disadvantaged high school students to help them achieve in maths and science.
“ We know that for a lot of students if they don’ t have a background where parents and grandparents have gone to university it may not be something they naturally aspire to and so we are losing a lot of talent potentially,” Long said.“ Curriculum Bridges enables us to make contact with students in years 10, 11 and 12 and engage them in meaningful work.”
Students are given a problem to solve with their teachers within school hours and while participating in the world of university, where they have access to the facilities, staff and students.
The program builds understanding about the pathway through school to university and employment by helping high schoolers build familiarity with the work science and mathematics graduates undertake, as well as providing an alternative entry pathway, not based on the ATAR, to selected STEM courses at La Trobe. It also provides opportunities for the university to conciliate strong partnerships with local communities.
Dale Pearce, principal from Bendigo Senior Secondary College, said the program had provided a powerful learning experience for his students.
“ Really what that’ s doing is it is lifting the aspirations of students, so it’ s been a tremendous step forward for those kids,” Pearce said.
Long said La Trobe sees itself not only as an educational institution but as a community resource, adding“ we want to work in strong partnership with secondary schools, with TAFEs with industry, with government and community to ensure that the region in Victoria is extremely well served”. n
in federal cash
La Trobe access program to expand from three schools to 12. By Antonia Maiolo
www. campusreview. com. au Issue 9 2013 | 7