May 31, 2018

Spotlight on UOW’s diversity in learning, teaching

Creating successful, engaged students at the heart of UOW experience

A new publication launched at the University of Wollongong on Tuesday (May 29) has captured the ways in which the University is creating dynamic, curious, and savvy citizens of the world.

Leadership in Education celebrates the innovation and impact of UOW’s teaching and learning landscape with a focus on the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.

The publication provides an insight into the myriad approaches to education that are underway at UOW to help students achieve success in their chosen fields and have the tools to meet real-world problems.

Leadership in Education shines a spotlight on work-integrated partnerships, collaboration across campuses, online courses, and mentoring programs, in addition to the professional development opportunities available to University staff and work with community partners.

Professor Joe Chicharo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), told the crowd gathered at the publication launch, held at the UOW Library, that Leadership in Education recognised the diverse and dynamic ways in which the University is helping students to learn.

“I started as a student at UOW in 1977, in electrical engineering, and at the time, 80 per cent of students were part-time, and many were engineering students working in local industry gaining experience whilst studying,” Professor Chicharo said. “There was a real engagement between staff and students, and Wollongong was connected to what was happening in the outside world. That has continued through to today. It has always been part of our DNA.

“This is the first time a publication has recognised and celebrated teaching and learning at UOW. It really captures the exciting, educational environment that greets students and staff when they come to UOW.

“Excellence in learning and teaching is achieved through a diversity of learning experiences that are rich, coherent, relevant, challenging, and maximise the opportunities for future success.”

Leadership in Education focuses on a number of learning initiatives that complement work being undertaken in the classroom.

These include: Recovery Camp, a unique project that sees health students spend a week at a recreational camp in the Australian bush alongside people with a mental illness; the PASS (Peer Assisted Study) program, which forms part of challenging subjects, that pairs students with peer leaders to help them with their academic journey; the online delivery of courses in the maritime law sphere, which enables students from around the world to access a world-class education without setting foot at UOW; and work internships that help create students who can step from the classroom into the workforce without missing a beat.

Last month, UOW became the only Australian university to be listed as a finalist in the prestigious Global Teaching Excellence Award for two consecutive years.

The award recognises and celebrates institution-wide commitment to the pursuit of teaching excellence.

UOW was identified among 17 leading universities from Asia, Europe, North America, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Leadership in Education: Showcasing and celebrating the special character, innovation and impact of Learning and Teaching at UOW was produced by a high-level editorial team, led by Director of UOW Library Services, Margie Jantti. It is available to read online.