Students studying Curtin University courses in the Mid-West can now access local support and 24-hour study facilities at the Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC), following the signing of a new Service Level Agreement.
The Agreement extends the partnership between GUC and Curtin University, providing local support for Curtin students, ongoing support for the Indigenous Tertiary Enabling Program (ITEC), and delivery of higher education aspiration outreach to local schools through Curtin’s award-winning AHEAD program.
Successful pilots of ITEC and AHEAD were undertaken by GUC throughout 2020 and into 2021.
Signing the new Agreement provided GUC Chair, Jody Beven, and GUC Director, Natalie Nelmes, the opportunity to meet new Curtin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Harlene Hayne, at the Bentley campus.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Hayne said the new agreement would offer more opportunities for students in the Mid-West region to study a Curtin course.
“I am delighted to be working with the Geraldton Universities Centre to expand opportunities for students to engage in a globally recognised Curtin education while still living in the Mid-West region,” Professor Haynes said.
“This new agreement builds on an existing relationship which Curtin values highly and which has seen a number of students succeed in their chosen studies.”
GUC Chair Jody Beven said he was delighted to welcome Curtin University distance education students to the GUC.
“Our motto is ‘university where you live’ and it will be great to see a new cohort of Curtin students on campus at the GUC,” Mr Beven said.
“The new agreement means local Curtin students can have an on campus experience right here in Geraldton, accessing facilities including GUC’s 24/7 study hall, general academic support and the assistance of our administrative and pastoral support services.”
GUC Director Natalie Nelmes said that continued support for Aboriginal students via Curtin’s ITEC program was very welcomed and important to build aspiration and capacity within the Aboriginal community.
Ms Nelmes also spoke of the GUC-Curtin partnership to pilot the AHEAD program with Champion Bay Senior High School (CBSHS) this year.
“Providing more than ad hoc aspiration sessions to our local schools has been difficult for the GUC to achieve, and it has been difficult for the AHEAD team to deliver their program regionally,” Ms Nelmes said.
“This partnership means that the GUC can deliver the AHEAD program here in Geraldton as a coordinated suite, with the expertise of GUC Education Academic Coordinator Michelle Bambling. We are half way through a twelve month trial with CBSHS, and we are really encouraged by the feedback we are receiving,” Ms Nelmes said.
