Media Release
June 29 2010
New UniSA College opens doors for more South Australians
The University of South Australia will open a new UniSA College from 2011,
designed to offer more opportunities for South Australians to gain
access to tertiary education.
UniSA College will provide an opportunity for students who have the capacity to take on tertiary studies but who, for a variety of reasons, have not yet entered University.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Hoj says the purpose of the College is to provide extra pathways into university and develop the talent and skills of more South Australians to underpin the depth, capacity and energy of the workforce.
“The education system does a great job already in preparing students for study and training beyond school, but we know there are always people who for many different reasons do not take the traditional path and we want to ensure they don’t miss their chance to enter higher education.”
“In South Australia about 19 per cent of its 15-64 year olds are degree-qualified, which is below the national average of 23 per cent, and while UniSA has been a successful contributor to lifting this rate over time, we believe we can do more,” he said.
The new UniSA College will bring under its umbrella a range of already successful programs run by the University to encourage Australian students to participate in higher education. It will also introduce a new foundation studies program designed specifically for 18 to 20 year olds and a special Maths and Science Centre at Mawson Lakes.
“Our long experience in successfully enhancing opportunities for people to attend university has shown that there are a variety of reasons why people miss the step between school and university,” Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic, Prof Joanne Wright says.
“An illness or unexpected difficult circumstances can make all the difference to how a student performs in their final year of school and it is not always possible to go back and try again”.
“We see a wide range of students who desperately want to find a way into higher education - from mature-age people who have already had one career, to young people who have experienced challenges in their final years at school.
“The new UniSA College is about making their ambitions possible and supporting them to develop the confidence and skills to reach their full potential.”
UniSA’s longstanding community-based participation initiatives, including the UniSA Northern Areas Partnership (UNAP) and the more recently established Centre for Participation and Community Engagement (PACE) will be amalgamated into the College structure and these activities will continue to operate to inspire students from all backgrounds to study and build their careers.
“The formation of the UniSA College is a key component in the University’s long term strategy to make a solid contribution to lifting university participation rates for South Australia while still adhering to our high standards,” Prof Wright says.
UniSA College will offer free foundation studies programs for Australian students in both the mature-age and post year 12 (18-20 year olds) cohorts and will, from 2012, introduce a suite of diploma programs that articulate into full degrees.
Prof Wright says the College will also play a lead role in the management of the new Maths and Science Centre at Mawson Lakes campus.
As a hub for the development of educational activities in science, mathematics and technology, the Maths and Science Centre will assist both school and College students by offering a flexible learning environment that promotes interactive, action based learning experiences.
“We see the Maths and Science Centre as yet another exciting opportunity to inspire young people by nurturing their talents and ambitions and highlighting the connections between maths and the sciences and some of the most rewarding and influential careers,” Prof Wright says.
Media contact
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Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au