Bridging the gap

Primary or secondary school students from low-socio-economic backgrounds may not consider higher education an option. Breaking down the barrier between school students and the unknown world of tertiary education has been an ongoing crusade for universities Australia-wide.

Over the next four years, UWS will be part of the exciting Bridges to Higher Education project(opens in a new window), a $21.2 million plan designed to reach more than 100,000 students from low-economic-status communities and encourage them to undertake tertiary studies.

Five Sydney-based universities have banded together to create aspiration-building programs while expanding existing platforms that target school-age children and their parents.

Tertiary Education Minister Senator Chris Evans says the universities will work with schools to ensure all students are aware that the world of education is open to them.

“The Australian Government is committed to building a stronger, fairer nation and more accessible higher education is integral to achieving our goal,” said Senator Evans.

Funded with $21.2 million from the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Project as well as resources from the universities and their partners, Bridges to Higher Education also aims to improve students’ abilities in reading, writing, numeracy, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. To stir the students’ interest, the students will visit university campuses, attend summer schools and receive mentoring and work experience.