Third National Enabling Educators Conference brings national attention to USQ

Keynote speakers Professor Kerri-Lee Krause and Professor Liz Thomas with David Bull

Equity practitioners, researchers and educators from around Australia descended on USQ last month for the 3rd National Conference of Enabling Educators, raising awareness of the importance of pursuing social inclusion in higher education.

Simply themed 'Enabling Pathways' the conference provided a wonderful opportunity for teachers, equity practitioners, administrators and researchers to network, share knowledge and discuss strategies for widening participation and improving progression and retention in higher education.

Running over two and a half days, the event was organised by USQ’s Open Access College and covered all aspects of social inclusion in the tertiary education landscape.

'The conference provided a much-needed gathering for not only higher education practitioners, researchers and academics – but for all, who recognise the responsibility to support high quality teaching and learning,' Director of the Open Access College, David Bull said.

'It was particularly timely, given the Bradley Review of Higher Education which has strong recommendations and emphasis on improving the participation in higher education of persons from low socio economic backgrounds and a focus on enhancing partnerships through outreach activities.'

Throughout the conference the delegates also looked at issues such as improving access and outcomes for new students from low socio economic backgrounds, building new links between universities and disadvantaged schools, rewarding institutions for meeting agreed quality and equity outcomes, improving resourcing for research and investing in world class tertiary education infrastructure.

120 delegates ranging from those living locally to guests flying in from places as distant as the United Kingdom attended and provided an array of perspectives and ideas.

'Connections across the Tasman resulted in a strong representation from the New Zealand Association of Bridging Educators (NZABE),' Mr Bull added.

'Representatives from diverse sectors including universities, further education colleges, polytechnics, Indigenous, international, offenders in custody and disenfranchised youth programs were also here sharing their ideas.'

Keynote speakers included: Professor Liz Thomas, Senior Adviser for Widening Participation at the Higher Education Academy, United Kingdom and Director of the Widening Participation Research Centre at Edge Hill University; Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, Chair in Higher Education and Director of Griffith Institute of Higher Education, Griffith University; David Syme, Director, Equity Policy, Higher Education Group, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Canberra and Professor Glen Postle AM, Project Coordinator of Community Engagement, USQ, Toowoomba.

As well as making mention of the keynote speakers, Mr Bull also thanked all of those at USQ who had backed the conference.

'We had strong support from Pro-Vice Chancellor, (Social Justice) Professor Peter Goodall and the conference was also supported and underwritten by the USQ Social Justice Committee.'

'It operated profitably and surplus funds generated from the conference will be returned to USQ’s Social Justice budget.'

The next gathering of these professionals will be at the New Zealand Association of Bridging Educators' (NZABE) Conference in Wellington which is being held in September 2010 and preparations have already begun for the Fourth National Enabling Educators Conference to be held in South Australia in 2011.

'These future events will continue the pursuit of educational equality and social inclusion.'

Contact Details:
Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or 0400 025 429