Students as Partners
‘Students as Partners’ is a strong theme underpinning strategic enhancements to the University’s Education Portfolio. Deakin Faculty members have been invited to share our conceptual ‘Students as Partners’ framework at multiple national forums to promote good practice more broadly.
Five Guiding Principles
Add value for students
Acknowledge different perspectives
Be respectful and inclusive
Be flexible
Evaluate and optimise
Put Your Best Foot Forward
In 2019, the Faculty Student Experience Team organised two ‘Best Foot Forward’ events in conjunction with the charity ‘Dress for Success’, offering students free business clothes, styling tips and interview skills. With expert advice provided by members of the Faculty, Dress for Success and DeakinTalent, these popular sessions gave practical support to students looking towards the job market at any stage of their studies.
- Over 50 students attended the sessions.
- $6,000 of clothing vouchers were provided to attendees in 2019, along with all of the clothing and accessories donated by Deakin staff and Dress for Success – any clothing not taken by students was given to Dress for Success to benefit job seekers in the community.
- Feedback from students in the post-event surveys was very positive, with ratings of 85% for event organisation, 92% friendliness of staff and 78% satisfaction overall.
A pack and send service to regional and remote students was also offered.
SDG focused global virtual student consultancy projects
In 2020, 34 students engaged in international consultancy experiences gaining an authentic experience of working as consultants in an international context on SDG focused projects. They developed their skills in liaising with international organisations in order to identify, understand and attempt to resolve real-world business problems, and develop an understanding of the processes and skills required to be a consultant in a business environment. Students teams worked as consultants on impactful SDG focused projects across six different organisations in USA, Japan and India.
Nirbhed Foundation—India
Nirbhed’s projects are focused on empowering the deprived and under privileged people. A strategy with different pathways to identify, connect and work with potential volunteers.
Wake Up Japan—Japan
This organisation specialises in social education. Students developed strategies to increase enrolments in programs to raise awareness of social justice in Japanese society.
Social and Development Research & Action Group (SADRAG)—India
SA DRAG aims to promote equality of life for all. Students developed strategies to create a donor base to procure at least 2000 devices, which will be distributed to underprivileged youth and children to learn online.
Ashinaga Foundation—Japan
The Ashinaga Foundation provides financial support and emotional care to young orphans. Students developed strategies to brand Ashinga as an effective organization supporting students in Africa.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Dallas Section—USA
The SWE mission is to stimulate women to achieve their full potential as engineers and leaders. Students developed strategies to promote inclusion, motivation and activation of Dallas SWE ‘ghost members’.
Srujna Charitable Trust—India
Srjuna operates with the aim of increasing workforce participation rates for women. Students created plans to increase brand awareness of Srujna via social media channels.
Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (West Bengal)—India
The organisation aims to encourage women entrepreneurs by creating a platform for networking, exchange and collaborations with like-minded women. Students developed a report and presentation on Sustainable business and women’s participation. WICCI.
Student led SDG and ERS focused initiatives
Our students are actively contributing as action and thought leaders to advance SDG agenda. For instance, at the 2019 PRME Champions Forum in Melbourne, Beau Arnfield, Shruti Verma and Girish Gupta shared their inspiring stories of having led SDG focused initiatives in the community. Shruti and Girish also contributed to a student-led session at the 2019 PRME ANZ Chapter Forum.
Shruti Verma
Vice-President, Deakin Xi Kappa Chapter, Beta Alpha Psi. (2019-2020)
Volunteer and Auditor, Deakin Green Impact Program (2019)
Participant, Student Voice Australia Symposium (2019)
Non-Executive Director, Pinewood Community Financial Services Ltd, Branch of Bendigo Bank (2019-2021)
Victorian International Education Awards, Top 3 Finalist in category ‘International Student of the Year – Research
