This year's graduation at ECU celebrated a total of 20,689 hours of extra learning by the students.
This year's graduation at ECU celebrated a total of 20,689 hours of extra learning by the students. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
Hundreds of WA students aged between seven and 14 have farewelled the final semester of university, graduating from The Children's University of WA at special ceremonies held across Perth and Albany.
212 children from 14 schools donned their mortarboards and gowns on stage at two of the celebrations at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Joondalup. This year's celebration at ECU saw a total of 20,689 hours of extra learning completed by graduates outside of the formal classroom.
That is equivalent to 862 days, which is 2.4 years.
"This is such a wonderful achievement by young people and shows learning can be effective outside of a regular classroom environment," said ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Cobie Rudd, who was responsible for bringing the initiative to Western Australia.
"The Children's University is an internationally recognised program that allows children and young people often from disadvantaged backgrounds such as those who would not normally consider opportunities to undertake studies at a higher education level as realistically achievable."
The Children's University Australasia and Africa (IO) is an early intervention equity program that provides access to high quality and affordable extra-curricular learning opportunities.
Currently run by ECU and the University of Western Australia, the organisation works with children, their families, schools and communities to promote and support aspirations for lifelong learning and support the development of critical STEM and digital skills and a range of other life skills.
There are no lectures or tests, instead through a Passport to Learning children write short stories or comic books, learn coding and robotics, play sports, write book reviews, even build simple machines and conduct science experiments.
The Children's University works with children, their families, and communities to promote and support aspirations for lifelong learning. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
This year's graduating class at ECU saw the first regional graduate from Australind Primary School in the South West.
Professor Rudd also confirmed there will be a broader extension of Children's University into the South West Region as of 2023.
Western Australia's Commissioner for Children and Young People Dr Colin Pettit said the Children's University provides a unique platform for students to grow and learn in a unique and non-threatening environment.
"It is extremely important to engage children and their families in developing a love of learning beyond school encourages students to build their knowledge and skills through interacting with many organisations within their community.
"It's about developing a sense of achievement, pride and engagement is essential for a healthy lifestyle and a positive future," Dr Pettit said.
Lara Rodger's from Australind Primary School said the experience has inspired her to go to university when she finishes high school in five years. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
Changing young lives since 2017
- Since its establishment in WA in 2017 The Children's University has partnered with 14 schools and engaged with over 1370 students
- Established its first regional partner, Australind Primary School in the Southwest in 2022
- Joined with UWA in May 2020 to deliver the program across WA
- ECU and UWA have engaged with 35 schools and over 2,350 students
- Partnered with over 90 community learning destinations across WA
- Hosted 12 university graduation ceremonies.
