Deniliquin’s Jess Hillier was among 10 Year 11 students given an insight into university life, thanks to a Country Education Foundation program.
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The Deni High student attended the Swinburne University open day, where students were allowed to attend course sessions of their choosing, accompanied by Swinbune student equity ambassadors.
Students were also given a tour around the campus and shown the many facilities that Swinburne has to offer including science labs and TV studios.
“We were given the opportunity to look at so may things on the campus, and we were made to feel very welcomed by our guides from Country Education Foundation and Swinburne,” Jess said.
“It was really great to have an opportunity like this, to get a chance to visit both the city and the campus was awesome.”
On the Saturday evening the students were treated to a sit down dinner with former CEF supported students who are now studying at Swinburne.
This included former Deniliquin High School student James Bould, who is a first year engineering student.
He said he recommended all Year 11 and 12 students attend at least one university open day, to get an idea of what university is like.
“I had been incredibly lucky to attend both the Swinburne and Monash open days in the latter half of my senior year and the value you gain from these experiences, especially rural students, are crucial in both encouraging university attendance and tackle the anxieties that moving from regional to urban settings present,” he said.
Swinburne has been an educational partner of CEF for seven years, providing generous funds to support regional and rural students studying at Swinburne.
It provides co-funding for Swinburne students who were awarded funding through their local CEF branch.
Swinburne student equity manager Melissa Lowe said the uni supported this initiative to improve access for young people from rural and regional Australia.
“Attending our open day enables students to immerse themselves in the university’s campus, exploring educational facilities and student residences with students just like them that have moved from a rural or regional area,” she said.
The Country Education Partnership is a not-for-profit organisation that advocates for the provision of high-quality education within rural and remote regions.
Deniliquin and district students are supported through the Edward River CEF.