Educators and providers will have access to a new set of tools and resources to better support students from refugee backgrounds pursue higher education, following a national research project that examined students\u2019 transition experiences.<\/p>\n
Approximately half of Australia\u2019s refugee intake are aged between 15 and 19 years of age, an age when education is a priority.<\/p>\n
Led by the University of Newcastle, in partnership with Curtin University and Macquarie University, the three-year Office of Learning and Teaching research project identified a range of challenges this unique group of students face in the quest to achieve further education.<\/p>\n
The research project examined a number of programs that aim to better prepare students from refugee backgrounds to transition effectively to higher education through a range of methods, such as enhancing English speaking and comprehension skills, expanding cultural skills and building academic literacy.<\/p>\n
University of Newcastle Associate Professor Seamus Fagan said the findings demonstrated that students from refugee backgrounds encountered a vastly different experience to the traditional idea of transitioning into tertiary education.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe findings challenge the idea of \u2018the transition\u2019 into higher education being the same for everyone. Tracking the experiences of these students highlighted a complex web of circumstances connected not only to English language proficiency, culture and education, but also settlement, family, community and belonging,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the centre of many of the challenges faced by students from refugee backgrounds are unspoken, implied assumptions by policy-makers, institutions and educators; coupled with a lack of recognition of student strengths.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese intense demands contributed to false starts, pauses in study and movements in and out of tertiary education \u2014 strongly influenced by age, family responsibilities, clarity of future vision, support networks, and understanding of what higher education entails,\u201d Associate Professor Fagan said.<\/p>\n
In 2016, Australia had more than 3,500 students from refugee backgrounds undertaking\u00a0tertiary study. Currently, in NSW alone, there are 8000 students from refugee backgrounds\u00a0moving through the schooling system, a group that is increasing by 1500 students each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is vital that we provide this group of students, who have unique circumstances, the most\u00a0suitable support to enable them to competently progress to higher education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor of International Health, Jaya Dantas, from Curtin University\u2019s School of Nursing,\u00a0Midwifery and Paramedicine who led the WA project, said the research highlighted that newly\u00a0arrived refugees should be notified of English language programs available to them as a\u00a0matter of priority by the Departments of Education and Training, and Social Services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project documented that there is a need for both students and adults from refugee\u00a0backgrounds to have access to English language programs for a longer period of time to\u00a0ensure a smooth transition into mainstream high schools and higher education and this should\u00a0be supported by the Department of Education and Training,\u201d Professor Dantas said.<\/p>\n
Based on the outcomes, the research team developed a set of best practice\u00a0recommendations, curriculum and resources for program providers who engage with students\u00a0from refugee backgrounds, including universities, TAFEs and schools – available on the\u00a0project website: www.refugeetransitions.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The team produced a comprehensive national audit of the pathways, programs and support\u00a0into higher education available for students from refugee backgrounds. The resource,\u00a0designed for both practitioners and students, is hosted on the Refugee Council of Australia\u00a0website.<\/p>\n Engagement in this project also contributed to the establishment of a national Refugee\u00a0Education Special Interest Group, also hosted by the Refugee Council of Australia, to create\u00a0greater collaboration and networks between institutions, practitioners and providers to achieve\u00a0better outcomes for students of refugee backgrounds.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough providing the necessary support and actively eliminating barriers to successful\u00a0educational experiences and outcomes we will be benefiting all students and improving the\u00a0future outlook for the nation,\u201d Associate Professor Fagan said.<\/p>\n