10 Sep Enhancing Equity Outcomes through Structured Community Engagement | Forum Recap
Engagement Australia’s latest forum, “Enhancing Equity Outcomes through Structured Community Engagement,” brought together thought leaders, university executives, and practitioners in higher education to explore the vital role of community engagement in advancing student equity outcomes across Australia. Hosted at the Australian Catholic University, the forum highlighted best practices, discussed challenges, and paved the way for future-focused strategies aimed at deepening partnerships between universities and their communities.
The event opened with a Welcome Address from Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Vice-Chancellor of Australian Catholic University, who underscored the crucial role universities play in shaping equitable educational landscapes. Professor Skrbis highlighted the need for universities to focus on inclusive policies that address the diverse needs of students from underrepresented backgrounds.
The Keynote Address, “The Universities Accord and Leveraging Community Engagement for Student Equity”
delivered by Professor Verity Firth AM, Vice-President (Equity and Engagement) at UNSW and Chair of Engagement Australia, provided a an exploration of the Australian Universities Accord’s vision to raise tertiary attainment rates from 60% to 80% by 2050. Firth emphasised the critical link between equity and innovation, advocating for a national effort that ensures students from marginalised communities are integral to the future of higher education.
Professor Firth discussed the significance of reciprocal partnerships between universities and their communities, where shared authority, mutual respect, and co-creation of goals lead to sustainable outcomes. She platformed the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, describing it as the “gold standard” for building these collaborative relationships, noting that universities must actively involve equity cohorts to foster inclusive and equitable educational environments.
Panel Discussion 1: “Best Practices and Challenges in Implementing Community-Engaged Strategies for Student Equity Outcomes”
Moderated by Professor Jessica Vanderlelie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, La Trobe Univeristy. This panel featured experts from universities across Australia who discussed how their institutions are advancing equity through community-engaged outreach. Panelists included Jennifer Tredinnick (ACU), Chris Ronan (Country University Centre), Liliane Utamuriza (Western Sydney University), and Professor Ian Li (Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success). Each panelist shared their insights on best practices in leveraging community partnerships to address the educational needs of equity student populations. They also outlined key challenges, such as maintaining long-term engagement and securing sustainable funding.
Workshop: Advancing Equity – The Pasifika Achievement to Higher Education Program
The workshop session was led by Bronwyn Williams and Jane Sio from Western Sydney University, who showcased the Pasifika Achievement to Higher Education Program. The interactive workshop demonstrated how community-driven and culturally tailored programs can support equity. Participants engaged in discussions on co-developing student equity programs “by the community for the community,” emphasising the importance of culturally sensitive frameworks in ensuring student success.
Panel Discussion 2: Institutionalisation of Equity Practices
The second panel, moderated by Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy, Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Success, Western Sydney University, focused on how the sector can better institutionalise equity practices. Panelists Professor Bruce Watson (UNSW), Nicola Cull (ACU), Katie Aguilera (WSU), and Sonal Singh (UTS) shared their experiences on institutionalizing equity initiatives and overcoming systemic barriers.
The panelists agreed that achieving equity requires a whole-of-university approach, where engagement with staff, students, and communities is continuous and supported by strong leadership. They also emphasised the need for universities to adapt policies and practices regularly to address evolving student needs.
Closing Remarks and Future Directions
Dr. Matthew Pink, Head of ACU Engagement and Deputy Chair of Engagement Australia, delivered the closing remarks, reiterating the importance of sustained commitment to community engagement for student equity. He called for universities to scale their efforts in engaging with marginalised communities and outlined future opportunities for deepening partnerships and enhancing equity outcomes across Australia. Dr. Pink emphasized that while progress has been made, there is still much to be done in terms of transforming institutional cultures to ensure equity is embedded at every level of university operations.