Micro-credentials may be the newest buzzword in higher education, but the philosophy behind UWA’s new offering goes back to a longstanding mission: to provide world-class education for our communities.
With a new suite of micro-credentials – ranging from medical technology and professional writing, to tackling plastic pollution, UWA’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Graham Brown, expects students from all walks of life to sign up to this newest way of learning.
“Micro-credentials generally require between 50 and 150 hours of study and many are offered online, intensively or through blended delivery modes,” Professor Brown said.
“This is a ‘low commitment’ way to study at UWA – and while micro-credentials can be used for professional development points, advanced standing or credit into full length degrees, they’re also perfect for busy professionals looking to upskill or learn something new.”
Badged under the UWA Plus brand, the micro-credentials will not have any admission requirements (although more specialised subjects may have recommended prior learning), and aim to foster lifelong learning – a key pillar of UWA’s Education Strategy 2020-25.
“We want UWA to be a place that students can return to over their lifetime, constantly learning new skills, creating new connections and seeking new opportunities,” Professor Brown said.
One new micro-credential is assisting students to quantify the benefits and costs of projects and policies.
Delivered by economist Professor David Pannell, Applied Benefit: Cost Analysis is aimed at management practitioners, business consultants, researchers and policymakers.
The Benefit: Cost Analysis approach can be used to evaluate a wide range of projects, and there’s no requirement for students to have a background in economics (although economists are welcome too).
“Governments have used this approach to assess policy responses to COVID-19 and climate change, construction of desalination plants, and the conversion of storm drains into natural streams,” Professor Pannell said.
“This course is particularly valuable as it gives students the opportunity to conduct their own Benefit: Cost Analysis on a complex project, and an understanding of how to explain the results to stakeholders.”
In the health space, History and Basic Characteristics of FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) is being delivered by psychologists Dr Kirsten Panton and Associate Professor Carmela Pestell.
The course aims to assist people who come into regular contact with FASD individuals, including school teachers, police, lawyers, family members, support staff and justice workers.
“FASD is a hidden disability that is underdiagnosed,” Dr Panton and Associate Professor Pestell said. “Even though FASD affects people from all backgrounds, it’s difficult for people to see because not all individuals will have dysmorphic facial features, and the condition is often hidden from the public eye.
“This course equips students with up-to-date, evidence-based information so that clients and families affected by FASD can be better supported at school, at work and in the general community.”
Students who successfully complete the course may gain credit towards the Graduate Certificate in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
UWA students take action on UN Sustainable Development Goals
Nearly 400 students from across UWA have created action plans to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as part of a co-curricular course.
The three-week Global Citizenship program asked students to choose one SDG on which to focus, then research the goal and create an action plan that would allow them to personally make a difference.
Some of the plans included: assisting student clubs to become more responsible in their consumption habits; promoting wellbeing within their workplace; and working towards making their business carbon neutral by 2030.
The goals varied widely, with participants coming from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including science, arts and commerce.
Director of Student Life Chris Massey said the course gave students the tools to create positive change in the world.
“Our students are passionate about improving the world,” he said.
“A large number of students already complete internships at not-for-profit organisations, volunteer their time and start their own social enterprises.
“The Global Citizenship course not only provided students with insight into the SDGs, but also gave them practice in collaborating with people from different backgrounds, evaluating their own values and confidently challenging preconceptions.
“All of these soft skills make our students more employable in the workplace.”
The most common SDGs addressed by course participants were quality education, climate action, decent work and economic growth and, good health and well-being. Course content included discussion from senior leaders of organisations such as Google, EY and the United Nations.
Almost all students said they would use the skills learned in the course in the future. Bachelor of Commerce student Jung-An Ho said she had enjoyed interacting with her peers.
“It’s always great to have a check in the mirror to remind ourselves of where we stand and whether we’re still aligned with our beliefs,” she said.
UWA welcomes hundreds of new international students
More than 1,100 international students began their studies at UWA in Semester 1 this year.
The students, from countries including China, India, Singapore and Indonesia, are joining classes online until Australia’s borders reopen.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor David Sadler said the commencement numbers were a much better result than anticipated, with only an 18 per cent decrease in international commencements compared with 2019.
“In Semester 1 we had 560 new international undergraduate enrolments and 548 new international postgraduate enrolments. There’s no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our international student recruitment forecast; however, we are pleased to report these results,” he said.
Several courses, including the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Commerce and newly created Master of Business Analytics, saw international student enrolments increase significantly.
Professor Sadler attributes the strong result to the University’s comprehensive support for international students, along with flexible study options and innovative marketing initiatives.
“Our Student Life, Admissions and Future Students teams were in constant communication with our current and commencing international students as soon as COVID-19 began to affect them,” he said.
“We were able to offer assistance with studying online or deferring commencement, issue new Certificates of Enrolment for visa purposes, and provide welfare and accommodation support, among other services.
“Additionally, we were fortunate to have support from the Student Guild’s International Students’ Department, which helped ensure our students received clear and practical information.”
UWA’s Global Engagement Office and Brand, Marketing and Recruitment continue to find new ways to connect prospective international students with the University.
Now heading into the third semester of operations, UWA has partnered with several Chinese universities to provide UWA Learning Centres in China.
Opening day of the UWA Study Centre at Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
The centres commenced operations in Semester 2, 2020 based at Southwest University in Chongqing, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Tianmuhu and Northeast Forestry University in Harbin. In 2021 UWA expanded student choice to include the UWA Learning Centres at Soochow University in Suzhou and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou.
The UWA Learning Support Centres are also available in Guangdong for students on international academic pathway programs from partner universities, which include: The South China University of Technology, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics and the Guangdong University of Finance.
“While there’s still a great deal of uncertainty, we’ve been able to show that providing strong academic and welfare support can have a really positive effect on the numbers of students continuing to choose UWA.”
Professor David Sadler, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
While it’s still unclear when international students will again be able to travel to Perth, Professor Sadler is confident UWA will continue attracting new international students.
“When the Australian borders first closed, a lot of universities were unsure whether international students would be open to studying online at Australian universities,” he said.
“While there’s still a great deal of uncertainty, we’ve been able to show that providing strong academic and welfare support can have a really positive effect on the numbers of students continuing to choose UWA.”