Friday, 01 December 2023
We are delighted to extend an exclusive invitation to your school community to embark on a transformative educational journey with ECU’s Children’s University program, now available in the South West region. This internationally acclaimed initiative, spearheaded by Children’s University Australasia & Africa Indian Ocean (CUA), has been a beacon of inspiration in fostering learning excellence since its inception in 1993.
Our program, catering to children and young minds aged 7-14, is not just an extracurricular activity—it’s a gateway to engaging additional educational opportunities. By participating in exciting and diverse learning opportunities, this program empowers members to take charge of their educational journey, setting the stage for a brighter future.
In the vast landscape of Western Australia, not all children have equal access to high-quality extracurricular opportunities. The Children’s University program aims to break down these barriers, providing a bridge to post-school learning pathways. This program aims to nurture the social, emotional, and academic development of every child, ensuring a more promising future for our greatest assets—the young minds of Western Australia.
Established in 2017 by Edith Cowan University (ECU) and further strengthened through the Children’s University Western Australia Partnership (CUWAP) with the University of Western Australia since 2020, our program has reached over 2900 students across 40 schools in Western Australia. The CUWAP collaborates with 99 community and cultural organisations, including zoos, museums, galleries, sports clubs, councils, and libraries, to provide a rich tapestry of extracurricular learning experiences.
Throughout the year, Children’s University members and their families are invited to participate in free ECU on-campus school holiday programs. These fun, hands-on workshops are delivered by academic staff and university students and are designed to have links to higher education learning and courses. These are excellent opportunities for children and their families to experience and feel welcome in a university setting.
Learning achievements of Children’s University members are then celebrated at annual graduation ceremonies held at ECU campuses. Over 1000 graduates have emerged from our program since 2017, having dedicated over 64,500 hours to extracurricular learning. These ceremonies not only acknowledge the participants learning efforts but also instil a sense of accomplishment and pride in their academic journey.
Mr Colin Pettit, Vice Chancellor of the Children’s University WA Partnership and former Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People, attests, “I believe the potential impact of the Children’s University program is enormous. Facilitating educational opportunities is the best investment that any organisation can make.”
As we extend our program to schools in the South West region of Western Australia, we invite you to explore the possibilities that Children’s University can bring to your school community. Join us in shaping a brighter future for the young minds of the South West.
For more information, please visit the ECU Children’s University website! or connect with us at childrensuniversity@ecu.edu.au