Building on the success of UniHUBs at other colleges, the new place-based partnership between the University and the Department for Education, Children and Young People has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Education through the Emerging Priorities Program.
Speaking at an official launch at Don College, Project Manager Gemma Burns, from the Peter Underwood Centre at the University of Tasmania, said:
“A UniHUB coordinator will be embedded in each school community to provide information and experiences to students, assist them in making decisions about post-Year 12 pathways that are locally available, build the capacity of students and teachers, and work systematically to address barriers through linking services.
“It will draw on the success of the UniHUB model at Newstead College and focus on school collectives in the North-West, North-East and North of Tasmania, where COVID-19 exacerbated traditionally low participation rates in post-school education.”
St Helens District High School and its feeder schools in the North-East have also been included in the expanded model.
A locally-based UniHUB coordinator will lead a range of exciting activity, including:
- On campus masterclasses
- Visits by University and industry guest speakers
- Personalised one-on-one pathway advice
- Engagement with current university students and graduates.
Don College Principal John Thompson said students, staff and families were already benefitting from engaging with UniHUB Coordinator Andrea Crawford.
“The opportunity for students and families to engage one-on-one with a professional who has a deep knowledge and can tailor information is invaluable,” Mr Thompson said.
“University services, site visits to University campuses and visits from lecturers to Don College has made university tangible and demystified tertiary education.
“We have students with amazing capacity, who are very humble about their capabilities.
“We are hoping this increased exposure will assist in building student aspirations and confidence.”
The project will run for 12 months until December 2023.
Find out more about the Peter Underwood Centre.