In alignment with the 2025 Strategy, the Learning Centre and Careers and Employment have recently merged to form UNSW Student Academic and Career Success.
The future success of students is the key priority for the newly established UNSW Student Academic and Career Success (SACS). SACS is a result of the Learning Centre and Careers and Employment merging to expand on the existing support offered to students.
Led by Associate Professor Megan Kek, Academic Director of SACS under the Pro-Vice Chancellor Education portfolio, the new structure consists of two pillars, Student Learning and Development and Student Career-Ready Connections. Both of these are supported by the Services and Improvement team.
“From the moment they enrol through to their graduation and beyond, this merger is designed to offer the highest level of support so students feel they can accomplish their academic and career goals and gain employment in meaningful roles,” said Associate Professor Kek.
By incorporating career and employment learning opportunities into the academic curriculum, SACS anticipates this new approach will be more accessible to students. This includes more opportunities and learning and career support online.
“Success will be benchmarked by tracking and improving QILT and international employability scores, along with enhancing the integration of SACS across faculties and divisions. This includes the Library, Alumni and the Pro Vice-Chancellor International portfolio, plus more collaboration with external partners,” said Associate Professor Kek.
As well as strengthening links with industry partners, SACS will nurture collaboration and engagement with both professional and academic staff.
“The new structure provides enhanced opportunities for students’ educational pathway to be better connected to employer and industry knowledge, trends and opportunities, all of which form an integral part of their success,” said Blair Slater, Portfolio Lead, Student Career-Ready Connections.
SACS will be incorporated into the learning DNA of UNSW courses with a team devoted to facilitating student learning and development, working closely with students and course convenors. “There is a connected team of dedicated facilitators with cross-disciplinary knowledge who are agile and can respond to emerging changes in student academic and career needs,” said Eva Chan, Portfolio Lead, Student Learning and Development.
SACS will officially start on 1 November 2019. For information on integrating academic language, learning/study skills and career education, contact Eva Chan at e.chan@unsw.edu.au.
For information on employer and stakeholder engagement and global employability experiences, contact Blair Slater at b.slater@unsw.edu.au.
Photo: Student Academic and Career Success Management Team; first row, left to right: Eva Chan, Vanessa Mastro, Associate Professor Megan Kek, Valerie Caulcutt, Dennis Seo.
Back row, left to right: Daria Levachova, Blair Slater, Dr Dominic Fitzsimmons, Dr Shivaun Weybury.
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