$9.2 million grant for greater university access

Wednesday, 7 August 2013

South Australian universities have been awarded $9,245,000 to lift higher education participation in disadvantaged and other communities underrepresented at university.

Announced today by Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Higher Education Minister, the grant is part of a $50 million funding announcement for the latest round of the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP).

The $9,245,000 is the largest grant awarded to a university group in this national funding round.

Led by the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with Flinders University and University of South Australia, the project 'Journey to Higher Education' aims to build aspiration and access, and support retention of disadvantaged students throughout the entire student life cycle, from early primary right through to senior secondary.

There will be a strong theme of Indigenous support throughout this project.

"We want to unlock the higher education ambitions and potential of Indigenous and other disadvantaged students so that higher education becomes a viable and realistic option for them," said University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Warren Bebbington and Chair of the South Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee, which includes Professor David Lloyd, Vice Chancellor of UniSA, and Professor Michael Barber, Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University.

"Bringing together all three of the state's universities means we can implement a program that will make a difference to communities across South Australia. It will expand our reach by sharing resources and expertise, and identifying communities of greatest need.

"This sector collaboration, and working closely with local communities, will ensure we achieve positive and sustainable outcomes."

The grant will fund partnership activities with schools, families and communities, utilising the strengths and successes of each university's outreach to provide a full suite of programs to engage and support students throughout their school life.

It will operate through three key themes, Aspire, Support and Achieve, with a strong focus on community engagement and involvement in the creation and driving of activities.

The programs will include mentoring, leadership training and additional tuition to address skills and knowledge gaps through a range of outreach and support activities that facilitate retention, aspiration building and access.

 

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