Proud ambassadors of learning
Right now there are 53 students actively working for free to
encourage people to start and finish their degrees at UniSA. You may see
them smiling and chatting at the next open day, welcoming people to a
public lecture, or even at the next student information session at your
local high school.
They are part of UniSA’s Student Ambassadors program which includes school leavers, mature age and international students. About 85 per cent of them joined the program this year.
According to UniSA manager of domestic student recruitment Darren McInnes for most of the ambassadors, their role as student "diplomats" is both a personal development exercise and a chance to give something back to their community.
"We are seeing a real increase in interest in the program," McInnes said.
"They might get a free uni t-shirt, but they don’t get paid - so this is genuine volunteering.
"The overriding motivation seems to be a real passion for the role of learning in people’s lives.
"Every year I am so impressed by the students who join this program – they believe in education, in UniSA and in encouraging lifelong learning.
"They really are UniSA people that give you a sense of pride."
The new ambassadors were provided with a special induction and welcome at the end of April and are already active in the UniSA community and looking forward to their first 2008 visit to schools.