News Archive

By Simone Hewett

"Every graduate knows what an impact their university education has had on them and this is an opportunity we want to extend to more young people," said Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson at the launch of the expansion of Aspire UWA.

Aspire UWA, launched in 2009, raises awareness of tertiary education options and encourages students with academic potential who would not normally consider university to see the benefits and opportunities that university study can offer.

The expansion of the program, to include 50 State, Catholic and independent high schools from the Pilbara, Kimberley, Midwest, Gascoyne and metropolitan regions, will encourage thousands more high school students from around the State to consider a university education.

Formerly aimed at students in Years 9 to 11, Aspire UWA has also expanded to include students from Years 8 to 12.

Professor Johnson also announced a new position for a Science Teacher-in- Residence at UWA, who will work with teachers at Aspire UWA schools to deliver a ‘Thinking Science’ program to help students develop new ways of thinking to improve their achievements in studying science.

The project will be overseen by the inaugural Professor of Science Education, Professor Grady Venville, and Assistant Professor Mary Oliver, from the Graduate School of Education.

"We recognise that while ability is evenly distributed throughout the population, there remain barriers for many students who would like to attend university, particularly those in regional areas," Professor Johnson said.

"These barriers may be due to lack of resources at home, in their school or in their community. Higher education may not be viewed as an appropriate pathway because other family members have not had a university education.

"It may also be because they would have to move away from home and peers to attend university: a challenge faced by many young people growing up in regional and remote Western Australia.

"Education offers young people an opportunity for personal transformation."

In April this year, 59 Year 11 students from five Pilbara high schools had a taste of university life during a threeday Aspire UWA camp. The students took part in a range of activities across subject areas at UWA and Perth’s four other universities, including training in study skills and stress management to help them succeed in their final years at high school.

They also participated in leadership and team-building activities designed to provide students with the skills and confidence to thrive in the 21st century.

The Aspire team brings together expertise from the School of Indigenous Studies, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and Student Services, assisted by a dedicated group of student ambassadors, mostly former students of Aspire schools.

Aspire UWA is funded by the Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary

Published in UWA News , 17 September 2012