In the wake of last week’s Federal Budget 2024-25 announcement and its impact on the education sector, an inaugural hybrid event is bringing together government and university leaders, policymakers, youth representatives, equity practitioners, and international experts to address pressing issues around student equity.
Interested attendees can still register for access to the remaining livestream of the two-day symposium’s second and final day today (9am-3pm AEST, Wednesday 22 May), with the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) Executive Director, Professor Shamit Saggar describing the event as a chance for the sector to put the Australian Universities Accord recommendations into practice and work towards a shared goal – universities for all Australians, irrespective of background.
The Access, Achievement, Accord 2024: The Australian Student Equity Symposium at Western Sydney University – Bankstown City Campus (May 21-22), invited some of Australia’s leading minds and diverse stakeholders in Australian higher education to discuss how to widen access and improve student achievement in the coming years.
All online attendees are able to participate in Q&A sessions held throughout the Symposium in real time.
“ACSES is the national authority on student equity, and we have the solutions to help universities close their equity gaps. With the Accord signalling a new era in student equity, the Symposium is perfectly timed for all 39 universities to come together to collaborate and learn about best practice in the field so they can begin to implement the report’s recommendations,” Professor Saggar says.
The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) is a national research and policy centre with a mission to help universities close the gap for our disadvantaged and marginalised students.
ACSES Research and Policy Director Professor Ian Li told EducationDaily “it is important to tackle educational inequalities, such as the difference in opportunities to pursue higher education and differential higher education and employment outcomes”.
Education helps create better outcomes
“Education is linked to better outcomes (e.g. higher earnings, better health, safer communities) at the individual, community, and societal levels, so these benefits should be accessible to all,” Professor Li says, adding that it’s always important to have education level the playing field and address social inequalities.
“At the national level, Australia’s economy is evolving and a highly skilled and educated workforce will be needed,” he told EducationDaily.
“Harnessing the potential of the entire population, regardless of place and circumstances of birth, is in the individual and national interest.”
Across the two-day event, distinguished speakers include:
- The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Educaton
- Professor Mary O’Kane, Minist derial Accord Panel Chair
- The Hon. Fiona Nash, Regional Education Commissioner
- Professor Barney Glover AO, Jobs and Skills Commissioner
- Dr Omar Khan, Chief Executive at Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO, UK)
- Senator the Hon. Sarah Henderson, Shadow Minister for Education
The program also features panel discussions on:
- Access and Achievement: The Accord and the Road to Reform
- Hitting the Target: What’s Needed and Who’s Needed?
- Listening to the Student Voice: Challenges to Student Success at University and Beyond
- Funding an Ambitious Equity Agenda
Roadmap to education equity
There is, Professor Li says, “an ambitious roadmap to equity in the coming decades”.
Given the complexity of the higher education sector and the challenges faced in attaining equity, arriving at solutions will require a meeting of the best minds.
Ensuring that student voice is heard and listened to matters, says Professor Li.
“Listening to the student voice is crucial, as they are the most important stakeholder in Australian higher education. They have first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced and are well-placed to develop solutions in partnership with others at the table.”
