Media Release
October 12 2007
National Centre for Student Equity welcomed at UniSA
UniSA
Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj has welcomed the announcement by
Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop that the
University would lead a new National Centre for Student Equity in Higher
Education in 2008.
Speaking at the opening of the Hawke Building in Adelaide yesterday Minister Bishop pledged $630,000 to establish the Centre and a further $590,000 annually towards the operational costs.
“I’m delighted with the announcement,” Prof Høj said.
“Access to education and equity for students from all backgrounds are issues of critical importance to Australia’s educational development and growth and these goals are central to UniSA’s mission."
Today Minister Bishop said the Centre would be charged with developing best practice for attracting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds and would provide outreach programs to universities, schools and the broader community.
“The number of Indigenous students in higher education increased more than five per cent between 2005 and 2006 and this new Centre will work to promote and facilitate greater access to education for students from poorer backgrounds and particularly those from rural and regional areas,” Minister Bishop said.
UniSA will work with ATN partners, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Technology, Sydney, in establishing the Centre next year.
Prof Høj said having been established with equity and access as key tenets of its foundation charter, UniSA was a logical choice to lead the new Centre.
“We’re absolutely committed to optimising access to education in parallel with our drive towards excellence in all aspects of our operation—ambitions that clearly are not mutually exclusive,” he said.
“Stronger progress in the participation of Indigenous students, the impact of increasing numbers of students with disabilities, and the provision of services for rural and isolated students, are some of the central challenges facing all universities.
“Heading the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education will allow UniSA to foster and share research and resources nationally to improve the prospects of tertiary education for all students.”
Contact for interview
- Prof Peter Høj office (08) 8302 0500
Media contact
- Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au