Ms Mary Ann Seow1, Ms Ewa Rutt1
1University Of Adelaide College, Adelaide, Australia
In February 2018, there were 27,498 non-award international student enrolments (AEI, February 2018) and 302,513 in Higher Education in Australia. These figures also include students enrolled in pathway programs, specifically Foundation Studies and Degree Transfer or Diploma courses that articulate into university programs.
Pathway programs are popular with international students who lack the academic entry requirements to enter into their undergraduate degrees and require skills and knowledge for higher education. Pathway education providers normally offer smaller class sizes and increased teaching and student support.
The transition for these students from a highly supportive teaching and learning environment to a more independent student-centric environment can be challenging. An ideal transition is one where there is collaboration between the two providers and a managed handover of students.
This presentation explores the challenges identified by students who have studied at a pathway college in Foundation Studies and Degree Transfer programs, the latter equivalent to first year undergraduate programs. A number of collaborative engagement activities are held for the students each year. These include students attending lectures alongside other first year students and information sessions by the respective Faculties and student services of the University. Students identify the strategies that have been useful in facilitating their transition. The information provides insight into the critical factors for successful transition to tertiary study. These will inform education providers to develop effective collaborative strategies to meet both legislative requirements as well as student expectations and institutions to maximise student retention in the handover process.
Biography:
Mary Ann Seow is the Immediate Past National President of the ISANA International Education Association. Mary Ann holds post-graduate qualifications in Politics, Psychology and Communications from Flinders University and the University of South Australia. She has worked in the higher education sector in a variety of roles. These have included industrial relations, Human Resource Management, academic teaching and research, student services and corporate training. She enjoys working in the international education sector and collaborating with agencies, student groups and peers to assist and support international students and to advance research in international education.
Ewa Aleksandra Rutt
Manager Student Services, Degree Transfer program at the University of Adelaide College.
Ewa holds Master of Teaching (History) from the University of Wroclaw, Poland and Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education from the Australian Catholic University.
Ewa has worked with international students in pathway programs ranging from English Language courses to post-graduate programs. In her current role, Ewa works in Student Services area of Degree Transfer program, a pathway program to the University of Adelaide.