Aspiring teachers in the Riverina will be able to study from their hometown for an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) degree with UNSW Sydney.
The UNSW School of Education will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in teaching to Riverina locals from 2025. Locals will be able to commence their journey to a teaching degree with a top-ranking university without leaving home via a remote learning program.
Riverina students under the UNSW School of Education Riverina will have the unique support of a locally based UNSW Regional Director from when they apply until the completion of their studies. UNSW facilities in Wagga Wagga, Albury, and Griffith will be available for students to use.
Head of School in the School of Education at UNSW, Associate Professor Tony Loughland, highlighted the combination of UNSW and the local Riverina community working together will lead to an exceptional, world-class education program in the region.
"UNSW was established in 1949 as a university for the entire state of New South Wales and not just for the affluent people in Sydney," Associate Professor Loughland said. "In our 75th year as a university, the UNSW School of Education is seeking to act on that charter to establish a strong presence in the Riverina region of New South Wales.
"We propose a first-class teacher education program that combines the academic quality of a top 20 global University with the local knowledge and practical wisdom of educators employed across all school sectors in the Riverina."
Students will also be able to attend exclusive seminars locally with UNSW academics and apply for paid paraprofessional roles within local UNSW school partners during their studies. These unique opportunities embed pre-service in the education community from the start of their degree.
School partners benefit from their access to high-performing education students to teach as paraprofessionals in their schools. There is also the advantage of partner schools having access to UNSW teacher mentoring programs, networking, seminars, and education-based research opportunities.
The UNSW School of Education Riverina aims to build a strong regional-based relationship in education to produce exceptional educators who will live, study, and work in their local community. Bachelor and Master programs are offered in primary and secondary education.
