EduVenture

The EduVenture project, initiated under the Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program (Australian Government Department of Education, 2024), aims to address barriers faced by regional and remote students in aspiring to and preparing for higher education. This initiative stems from the Australian Government Department of Education’s (2019) National Regional, Rural, and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy and is led by Taree Universities Campus, a Regional University Study Hub, in partnership with the Australian National University and the University of Newcastle. By leveraging community consultation and co-design principles, the project fosters engagement between Taree Universities Campus, local high schools, universities and industries to enhance students’ aspirations and career preparedness. Phase 1 of the project emphasised gathering community insights, including perspectives from students, educators and local community members, including Indigenous leaders, while Phase 2 implements hands-on experiences, such as career workshops, industry collaboration and campus tours. Activities are tailored to address the socio-educational challenges identified in the Mid Coast region of New South Wales, where students and schools face significant socio-economic disadvantage and low attendance rates.