Community the big winner in projects announcement

Sep 26, 2006

The six winning recipients of the University-Community Engagement Projects were announced at a ceremony held at the University of Wollongong last week (Friday 22 September).

The Community Engagement Grants Scheme was introduced in 2005 to encourage and support collaborative University-community projects, which have mutually beneficial outcomes.

The scheme provides funding to UOW staff and students for projects that are collaborative, consistent with the University's Community Engagement Strategic Plan and have a clear community benefit.

"All the winning projects vary widely and involve a significant number of external partners," said Manager of the Office of Community and Partnerships, Monique Harper-Richardson. "The projects really exemplify the benefits of the University working with community groups and we were very impressed with the expressions of interest we received."

Project leaders from the six winning projects presented brief summaries of what they plan to undertake.

Mr Glen Moore received funding to provide disadvantaged children with free access to UOW's Science Centre and Planetarium.

"We are working with the Salvation Army as well as families and children who are not usually able to access such facilities. Since the opening of the Centre, we have seen over half a million children come through our doors and we want this to continue."

Mr Tim Coltman from the Faculty of Informatics received funding for a project involving Shellharbour City and the prioritisation of economic development.

"We want to identify and support new entrepreneurs in regional areas to improve employment and create more local jobs, eliminating the need for workers to travel to Sydney," he said.

Dr Ian Porter received funding for a project between the Faculty of Engineering and Girl Guides NSW, which will involve one-day workshops offered throughout the year.

"Basically we want to encourage the participation of more women in engineering and science," he said.

Dr Ken Cruickshank from the Faculty of Education received funding to develop community language schools' resources in the Illawarra.

"We will be working with over 600 students and their parents and teachers to develop language materials, resources and skills," he said.

Dr Richard Caladine from CEDIR also received funding towards a UOW web-casting service.

"We want to explore the potential of web casting to create a media-rich channel between the University and wider community."

Associate Professor Brian Cambourne from the Faculty of Education also attended the announcement, representing Dr Alison Wicks from the Centre for Health Services Development for a project to initiate a long-term partnership between UOW and Arthur and Yvonne Boyd's gift of Bundanon as a 'living arts centre'.

"Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) students at the Shoalhaven Campus will be given the opportunity to experience the creative process in campus-based master classes led by local artists."