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campusreview.com.au
Flexible learning
Program aims to reconnect disadvantaged
students with education.
M
ission Australia has issued a call for long-term
commitment to a flexible learning program for
disadvantaged students.
An evaluation report from the University of Adelaide
showed the Flexible Learning Options (FLO) program in South
Australia had a “significant transformative” impact on young
disadvantaged students.
Mission Australia regional leader Adam Sherwood said the
program was designed to re-engage high school students with
learning, and assigns caseworkers to students to achieve this.
“There are very few programs like FLO that work to address
the root causes as to why a young person isn’t engaging
with learning, such as mental health concerns, bullying,
homelessness, intergenerational poverty or low literacy
levels,” he said.
An artist’s
impression
of the
innovation
precinct.
Photo:
University of
Melbourne.
‘Ambitious plan’
New Melbourne innovation precinct to link university
staff and students with businesses and startups.
T
he University of Melbourne will develop Australia’s next
innovation precinct, after the Victorian government
approved plans to transform the site of the former Royal
Women’s Hospital.
“FLO offers a flexible, person-centred, practical approach to
address the complex issues that stand between a young person
and their future aspirations, while also working to immediately
ensure stable reconnection of that young person with learning in a
way that works best for them.
“The evaluation highlighted that the tailored classroom support
provided through FLO teachers and our caseworkers has a significant
positive impact on a young person’s confidence, self-organisation
and self-reliance. This helps them to re-engage and successfully
participate with learning and achieve learning outcomes.
“This program is vital in helping vulnerable young people to build
important life skills, which increases their potential to become
productive, responsible and socially engaged and informed adults.”
Following the successful evaluation, Mission Australia has now
encouraged the South Australian go vernment to continue the FLO
program on a long-term basis.
“We encourage the South Australian government to continue the
FLO program for the long term and we urge other governments to
consider replicating this vital program so that more young people
in need can benefit from such a flexible and supportive approach
to support and learning,” he said.
“Unfortunately, there are too many young people in South
Australia and across the nation who are falling through the cracks,
which has significant impacts on our nation’s productivity and the
life and health outcomes of students.
“This is why we are calling for continued government
commitment to this evidence-based program that has clear and
positive outcomes.” ■
The new precinct, designed by architectural firm Woods
Bagot, will include facilities where university staff, students and
researchers can connect and collaborate with businesses and
startup companies.
Set to be located on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD and adjacent
to the university’s main Parkville campus, the hospital site will be
redeveloped into five connecting buildings focused on a publicly
accessible open space.
The precinct is planned to include shops, cafes, public spaces,
a childcare centre, science gallery, office space, laboratories
and accommodation for more than 500 students and visiting
academics.
Woods Bagot principal and project design leader Hazel Porter
described the precinct as unprecedented in Australia.
“For this extraordinary site to support people working together in
the creative and entrepreneurial ways envisioned by the University
of Melbourne’s ambitious plan for innovation, we needed to
completely re-think what the project could offer back to both the
university and to Melbourne’s urban innovation,” Porter said.
“What we’ve generated are new forms and, importantly,
opportunities for exceptional circulation through the site and a
great diversity of spaces at ground level, as well as maximising
sunlight for wellbeing and sustainability.
“Innovation comes from people, the way they interact, the
way they collaborate on a common purpose. Therefore, it’s
essential that every part of this scheme lives and breathes
human-centred design.”
Construction on the $425 million project is expected to start later
this year, with completion estimated for 2020. ■
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