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If you’ve thought about studying at university but were worried about missing out on face-to-face learning because of location, work or life commitments, ECU has the answer.
Regional Learning Hubs provide support options for online students and a space to get together.
The ECU regional learning hub located at Mandurah’s Co-Working facility Make Place, gives students access to face-to face study support and weekly sessions with a local ECU Learning Hub Consultant as well as the benefits of being part of an inclusive co-working environment with WIFI and study spaces available for group work and workshops. Through local sessions, students can meet other students and ECU’s Learning Hub Consultants who can assist with assignments, provide technical support or simply be someone to talk to about their studies.
Regional Learning Hubs offer:
∙ A mix of weekly face-to-face and peer support
∙ Regular student networking opportunities
∙ Online support using email and social media
∙ Occasional lectures by ECU professors and academic staff.
ECU’s award-winning Regional Learning Hubs which earned acclaim in a national awards event honouring Australia’s most outstanding university teachers, connect regional and remote (online) students with the support they need to succeed.
What are Regional Learning Hubs?
A space for students who can’t travel to an ECU campus to connect with their peers and access one-on-one support from a Regional Learning Consultant.
Students who study online can make an appointment at one of four Regional Learning Hubs located in Mandurah, Collie, Busselton and Margaret River.
The hubs also offer regular networking opportunities for regional students to build connections with industry professionals.
Nationally acclaimed regional support program
The Regional Learning Hubs initiative run through ECU’s South West Campus and operates a learning centre at Mandurah’s Make Place in the CBD.
The Program has been recognised in the 2020 Australian Awards for University Teaching for Programs that Enhance Learning. These national
awards honour Australia’s most outstanding university teachers. The Regional Learning Hubs have a wide-ranging impact drawing students together with a connectedness that is often lacking in online and regional students’ university experiences. For example, online and regional students can usually not participate in the
‘corridor conversations’ like on-campus students. These informal in-person connections are invaluable in enabling students to assist and encourage each other by sharing information sources, organising group study sessions and contributing to a sense of community.
Regional Learning Hubs bridge the gap between the on and off-campus experience by providing general academic support, social connection, and networking opportunities with industry professionals and maker communities. This unique program enriches students’ university experience and outcomes by improving
employability and enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the skills required of industry professionals.
Helping Peel students to thrive
ECU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Angela Hill congratulated the winners.
These awards acknowledged ECU’s reputation for inclusive and dynamic teaching.
“These winners show outstanding leadership and innovation in teaching, equipping our students with support and skills to thrive in their
future careers.”
ECU’s focus on putting students first has been recognised by the 2022 Good Universities Guide, which awarded the University a five-star rating for teaching quality for 15 years in a row — one of only two public universities in Australia to achieve this.
ECU was also rated 5 stars and ranked top WA university for undergraduate overall experience, skills development, student support, learning resources and learner engagement.
For the first time, ECU has been rated 5 stars for postgraduate overall experience and the top WA university. Other postgraduate 5-star ratings included skills development, learning resources, student support and teaching quality.
MORE INFORMATION
During ECU Semesters, the regional learning hubs operate at Make Place between 10am-3pm Thursdays. They can be contact on 13 43 28. General enquiries on memberships to Make Place coworking and innovation hub located a 17/38 Mandurah Terrace can be directed to (08) 9581 4606 and info@makeplace.org.au
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2021 edition of Peel magazine – read the full article and, if you haven’t already, download the latest edition of the Peel magazine here