Education, community, government and industry representatives have come together to consider a once-in-a generation opportunity to transform educational outcomes on the Cradle Coast.
The group met at a symposium in Burnie to frame a response to the Australian Universities Accord, the federal government’s major reform package for the sector.
Among the Accord’s recommendations are increasing tertiary education participation, regional access and better student support, especially for under-represented students.
“The symposium engaged participants in a community-centred conversation around their views and experiences of education in the Cradle Coast region, exploring where are we are and where would we like to go as a community,” organiser Dr Merete Schmidt said.
“Understanding the lived experiences and views of local people is central to successfully supporting the Accord’s aim of increasing tertiary participation in regional areas.”
Hosted by the University of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast Academic Community of Practice and Burnie Works, the event included contributions from Regional Education Commissioner the Honourable Fiona Nash, Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black and Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People Isabelle Crompton.
Presentations considered key issues around place and the University’s role under the Accord’s priorities.
“The day was a reflection of the unwavering commitment to improving educational access and equity in our community,” Dr Schmidt said. “The room was buzzing with passionate conversations about how education is perceived and experienced in North West Tasmania.”
Outcomes included the identification of equity barriers and potential solutions to overcome these, and recommendations for pathways to education in the regional setting.
They will be shared with participants across the Cradle Coast region with the aim of developing the appropriate support and interventions for the future.
“The results from our first session are already providing insights into gaps in our knowledge about experiences and views of education on the North West coast, and we are now designing sessions for parents and students to be able to better understand how to improve educational access and equity for these groups,” co-coordinator Dr Deanna Hutchinson said.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Cradle Coast region Sonya Stanford said the event highlighted the value of listening to the diverse perspectives of people in the region.
“While the educational challenges that are faced in North West Tasmania were acknowledged by everyone who attended, there was still a sense of optimism about the future,” Associate Professor Stanford said.
“For that optimism to be realised though, we all need to work together in a joined-up way, and the University is looking forward to being a key partner in this work.”