More support for Indigenous and refugee students embarking on higher education
An 18-week course will help 30 Indigenous and refugee students from Bendigo prepare for tertiary study.
Higher Education and Skills Minister Peter Hall, speaking at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus, encouraged students to enrol in the Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP), part of the $20 million Regional Partnerships Facilitation Fund, which aims to increase partnerships between universities and Vocational Education and Training providers in regional Victoria.
"The Tertiary enabling Program, which was tailor-made for Indigenous and refugee students, aims to level the playing field and ensure everyone in the community has the skills and support to undertake tertiary education," Mr Hall said.
"The program helps students learn academic study skills, and includes four core introductory subjects – adult learning, social science, mathematics and science.
"TEP teachers also offer a range of support, in and outside of the classroom, to ensure students are confident and prepared for further study, and the opportunities it brings," Mr Hall said.
Led by La Trobe University in partnership with GOTAFE, Sunraysia Institute of Technology and Bendigo Institute of TAFE, the TEP with a total value of $1.49 million is offered across three campuses at Shepparton, Mildura and Bendigo thanks to more than $465,000 in Victorian Coalition Government funding.
"Not only does TEP benefit participating students and the wider Bendigo community, it also shows the value of partnerships between universities and training institutes to boost higher educational participation and attainment in rural and regional Victoria," Mr Hall said.
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