Country Education Foundation of Australia Manager of Partnerships, Hilary Matchett, second from the left, with CEF alumni, from left to right, Matthew Moorse, Kadee Gerhard-Scali and Laura Mannes, who are studying at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga.
Students are welcomed to Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga campus' 'Explore Day', which CEF took 25 to on Tuesday 19th March.
Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) has made it possible for dozens of aspiring country university students to experience a university campus, with a fully subsidised trip to Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga as part of its Explore Day on Tuesday 19th March.
Twenty-five students took advantage of the opportunity given to them by the CEF, which covered their costs for transport, accommodation, and meals thanks to funding from its partnership with Charles Sturt University.
Students were collected from Parkes, Forbes, Grenfell, Young and Cootamundra and transported to Wagga Wagga to learn about the university, the courses it offers, and all the benefits of studying in a regional area.
CEF Manager of Partnerships Hilary Matchett, who organised the trip, said its aim was to build motivation and aspiration for students from targeted areas and to keep them engaged with exploring their tertiary study opportunities.
It is important to deliver these sorts of opportunities for students in our regions, as with the rising cost of living, travelling to university events, such as an Explore Day, can have many barriers for a regional student
– CEF Manager of Partnerships Hilary Matchett
"Students thoroughly enjoyed seeing learning facilities, learning about application processes, accommodation and scholarships, going on campus tours and hearing from current students about what studying at a regional university could be like."
Charles Sturt University Manager, Future Student Marketing and Engagement, Sarah Stevenson, said the university's partnership with CEF demonstrated its commitment to improving access to university for rural and regional students.
The recent trip to our Explore Day at the Wagga Wagga campus with twenty five students from seven schools demonstrates the significance of the collaboration - providing regional high school students with the chance to experience university life first hand. Students were able to talk to academics about courses and careers, attend tours of facilities, accommodation and social spaces; exposing them to the possibilities and raising aspiration.
– Charles Sturt University Manager, Future Marketing and Engagement, Sarah Stevenson
Charles Sturt University is a long term partner of CEF, having offered scholarships to its students for the last six years through the Three Rivers Department of Rural Health. It provides the CEF annual funding to distribute to 18 of its its local foundations, across inland NSW, to offer to students enrolled to study a health related degree at Charles Sturt. To be eligible, students must have already been awarded a grant by their local CEF foundation.
