Identifying the key factors that impact on rural and remote students’ participation in higher education at USQ

Identifying the key factors that impact on rural and remote students’ participation in higher education at USQ

[Executive Summary]:
Education involves producing desirable changes in knowledge, skills and attitudes of learners and the USQ strategic plan includes providing such education to rural and remote students. To this end, USQ offers various services and facilities to rural and remote students to facilitate their pathways and access to Higher Education and to encourage them to enrol, remain and complete their degrees. However, there is also a need to evaluate whether rural and remote students are benefiting from these pathways and are readily accessing the various USQ services and facilities. If the USQ is able to identify the issues (opportunities and challenges) that impact on the admission of rural and remote students to higher education, then appropriate strategies to accommodate identified needs can be put in place. This information will inform management about issues in relation to recruitment and retention of rural and remote students.
This project therefore aimed to explore the issues relevant to the University and rural communities to facilitate effective engagement strategies with rural and remote communities where possible, and thereby enhance the enrolment and retention of rural students. This engagement is expected to enhance the equity and diversity of the University. By instituting strategies based on identified issues the USQ will be better positioned to attract and retain rural and remote students.

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