UNIVERSITY life came right to Leeton students’ doorstep recently.
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A roadshow from Macquarie University visited both Leeton and Griffith last week with the aim of providing students and parents a taste of what tertiary education can involve.
The idea is an initiative of Macquarie’s Learning, Education, Aspiration and Participation (LEAP) program, which aims to raise aspirations, create possibilities and actively support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully participate in higher education.
Students were able to spend hours with the crew from Macquarie, which included professors, staff members, students and alumni. Parents were also included, attending a breakfast and coffee session with the university team the following day.
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Pro vice-chancellor professor Sean Brawley said the roadshow was first trialled on the north coast before bringing it down to the MIA.
“We were able to fine-tune something of the aspects we were presented based on the feedback we received,” he said.
“While we’re speaking specifically about Macquarie University, we did want all students to know they don’t have to be the smartest kid in the room to go on to tertiary education.
“There are ways and there are scholarships that are offered in many different areas. It’s not just for those students who are the top of their classes.”
Students were able to witness and experience first hand several aspects of university life and the courses offered, while asking as many questions as they so desired to the university team.
“One of the biggest questions we were asked was around finances and how much it costs to attend university,” professor Brawley said.
“What we were able to do was ease the minds of both parents and students regarding this.
“There’s always options. I see the roadshow as an opportunity to just talk about their needs and how we can be accessible to them.
“It’s also about removing any misconceptions they may have.”
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