Earlier this year the Vice-Chancellor set out the 2017 priorities for the University. Included in these was enhancing the quality of teaching and student experience to further deliver on our commitment of providing a world-class education at UWA. To address this priority the Education Strategy has been reviewed and expanded and is in the process of being refined and implemented. 

One of the key developments arising from the Education Strategy is the introduction of the new UWA Summer School. This comes following a comprehensive review of the current academic year resulting in the recommendation to structure a more flexible experience for our students and make better use of the University’s teaching resources and facilities. 

The Summer School will provide an opportunity to open the campus in the summer period allowing our students to accelerate, make up or redistribute the load of their studies. For academic staff it offers flexibility and innovation in teaching and an opportunity to extend courses to students from other universities, future international students as well as domestic future students. 

Some key facts about the Summer School: 

• The Summer School teaching period will start on 27 November 2017 and end on 2 February 2018, followed by an exam week.

• Units will comprise an intensive six week teaching period or another equivalent intensive format.

• Regular semesters will be shortened to a teaching period of 12 weeks from Semester 2, 2018 to accommodate the Summer School. 

An updated Academic Calendar is now available online. 

The curriculum management team is working with faculty SDCs, academics, students and external stakeholders to finalise the Summer School units to ensure an outstanding student experience. 

In addition to the Summer School, four additional projects are currently taking shape and are at different stages of implementation. These are: 

UWA collegiate system
The collegiate system project aims to foster students’ sense of belonging to UWA by providing support and networking opportunities. The first stage of stakeholder consultations is close to completion. Consultations have included a broad spectrum of stakeholders including faculties and schools, residential colleges, the Guild and staff. Analysis of other universities non-residential college models is also underway.

Enhanced and integrated orientation
The enhanced and integrated orientation project has recommended several improvements to the student orientation and the first year journey. In 2018, students will access a revamped UniStart, with a new orientation website and a portal currently in development and set to be ready for 2019. Further enhancements will be integrated as the other three projects progress and together build a better experience and transition for our students.

Research-led teaching
The research-led teaching project aims to explore the nature of research-led teaching at UWA and around the world and to offer recommendations for a suitable model of professional learning. Four interrelated approaches to research-led teaching have been proposed for a Discussion Paper that will be put out for consultation in late October. The four interrelated approaches are:

• Ensuring research-led education is informed by sound, evidence-based pedagogical strategies

• Bringing cutting-edge research into the classroom

• Learning as a research apprenticeship and,

• Developing research strategies for lifelong learning

Mentoring
The initial phase of the UWA STAFF-to-STUDENT Mentoring Scheme will begin in 2018. The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen the sense of community at UWA by improving communication between students and staff. Consultation has indicated that all staff members, including academic, professional, casual staff, and select PhD students should be encouraged to 'mentor' a group of approximately 6-10 new undergraduate students. It is intended that mentoring is factored into staff workload models. Mentoring will be phased-in over several years. Consultation is continuing.

For more information on any of the projects, contact the following project officers:

Hannah Lye (UWA collegiate system)
Anindita Karajagi (Enhanced and integrated orientation)
Dr Duc Dau (Research-led teaching)
Emma Kitching (Mentoring)