News Release:
UNE to reward students' participation in society
| Date 27/2/04 No 039/04 University of New England students can now document not only their academic achievements, but also their development as participants in Australian society. The New England Award, being introduced at the University this year, is for involvement and achievement in extra-curricular social, cultural, political, educational and sporting activities, and in casual work (both paid and voluntary). UNE's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ingrid Moses, launched the New England Award today. Professor Moses established the award (with a Vice-Chancellor's Strategic Initiative Grant) in response to a proposal from the University's Academic Skills Coordinator, Robyn Muldoon. The award coordinates Professor Moses' active encouragement of socially-oriented leadership qualities among students, with the University's commitment to helping its students develop the "graduate attributes" that employers require. It will allow students to record and receive recognition for participating in the many extra-curricular activities, events and training programs available at UNE, as well as for involvement in the wider community. A point system will enable students to aim for the 1,000 points they will need in order to receive the New England Award at the end of their undergraduate studies. Current students already involved in such activities can receive points in retrospect, allowing the first awards to be presented at graduation ceremonies in 2005.
|
"Our students have the chance to participate in a wide range of social, cultural, political and sporting activities," Professor Moses said. "In doing so they are developing organisational and managerial skills, communication and problem-solving skills, public relations and budgeting skills, and many other personal attributes that will stay with them for life. There are also opportunities for extra-curricular training to help with the development of these skills, such as my Leadership Course introduced in 2002. The introduction of the New England Award acknowledges the tremendous potential of all these activities in terms of student development, and their contribution to the 'graduate attributes'." Ms Muldoon said the New England Award would not only add value to UNE degrees in the employment marketplace, but would also strengthen links between the University and the New England community. Examples of eligible activities (apart from training programs) are involvement in orientation and academic-mentoring programs for students, and in outreach programs, community organisations, fund-raising for charity, and part-time work. Media contact: Robyn Muldoon, Coordinator, Academic Skills Office,
UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 2836 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE,
Armidale (02) 6773 3049. |
