Interim Announcement - February 2009
UniSA awarded grant for Student Employability Skills and Community Service Project
The University of South Australia (UniSA), as lead organisation among 39 partner HEPs, received a grant under DEEWR's DASA fund to increase university engagement with SIFE Australia Ltd. The Project funds establishment of a sector-wide project team to implement the SIFE model for student-centred experiential learning through project-based community engagement over the three years 2009-2011.
UniSA has established a Steering Group chaired by Professor Hilary Winchester, PV-C and VP: Strategy and Planning and including Judy Howard, Deputy Chairman of SIFE Australia Ltd to oversee implementation of the grant.
In practical terms, each participating Australian University will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 in each of the three years to support the costs involved in establishing and developing a SIFE team and a portfolio of student-facilitated community engagement projects.
Detailed implementation arrangements are being developed by the UniSA/SIFE Australia Steering Group but it is envisaged that the key elements will include:
1. Establishing a university SIFE team This should comprise at least 10 students in 2009 and grow to a membership of at least 50 students by 2011. The team is expected to develop a range of community engagements and is required to present project outcomes annually in July. Some travel and accommodation funding will be provided by SIFE Australia to support attendance by a representative group of at least 5 students. It is desirable that the team is inter-disciplinary.
2. Appointing a Primary Faculty Advisor A member of university continuing staff to be assigned to mentor and support the team in developing a portfolio of SIFE activities, on the basis of a 0.1 FTE release from teaching and other duties, i.e., one day per fortnight on average. This person is required to attend the project outcomes presentation in July each year and is also expected to engage actively in an in-service program held in conjunction with the project presentations. An additional modest stipend may also be paid by SIFE Australia to support this position.
3. Recruiting a Business Advisory Board This should comprise at least 3 members, 2 of whom are external to the University. The role of the BAB is to support the university SIFE team to develop and implement a portfolio of effective SIFE projects with guidance on practical issues.
4. Institutionalising an understanding of SIFE Each participating university is expected to embed development of graduate workplace readiness through project-based community engagement in its culture. Senior management, led by the V-C or DV-C A, are expected to support adoption of the program throughout their divisions or faculties, down to heads of schools and disciplines. While their individual participation is not required, their favourable opinion is most desirable.
Each participating university will be required to enter a contractual agreement with the University of South Australia and to report against performance indicators by 31 July annually. Details of the formal terms and conditions will be announced by the UniSA/SIFE Australia Steering Group soon.
Further information on the SIFE program in Australia can be found at www.sifeaustralia.org.au and enquiries made by email to ceo@sifeaustralia.org.au For local enquires, call your SIFE Australia Regional Coordinator as shown on the Contact page at www.sifeaustralia.org.au/contact.php