Universities line up to see Wollongong's PASS Program

Aug 24, 2005

If the PASS Program at the University of Wollongong (UOW) is anything to go by there's little wonder why UOW this month was named the best university in the country for teaching and learning performance.

And tomorrow (Thursday 25 August) the person from the United States who directs Supplemental Instruction (SI) on which the Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS) Program is based, will make a special visit to UOW. Dr Glen Jacobs is the Director of the Center for Academic Development and the International Center for Supplemental Instruction, based at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

He will be in Wollongong to congratulate Ms Sally Rogan from UOW's Student Services who has been made the sole National Trainer for the PASS Program in Australia and New Zealand. Already this year, Ms Rogan has assisted staff at the University of Sydney, University of Newcastle and Griffith University in Brisbane in implementing PASS at their institutions.

Dr Jacobs is committed to expanding the national and international Supplemental Instruction and VSI (Video Supplemental Instruction) network through research, professional presentations, consultations, hosting conferences and conducting training workshops.In addition, representatives from other Australian universities that offer the PASS Program, including the Universities of Melbourne and Sydney will also be at UOW tomorrow.

Ms Rogan said Dr Jacobs' visit and her new level of accreditation were a clear indication that UOW PASS has been recognised by its American counterparts as running the best program of its kind in Australia.PASS has had marked effect in helping students achieve better final marks in subjects they perceive as being difficult and it also helps in the overall retention of students at the University.

Peer Leaders (senior students) direct the weekly sessions and assist students in mastering subject content and tertiary learning skills.

PASS is now in its fourth year of operation at UOW and operates across five faculties - Informatics, Commerce, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Engineering and Education.

The UOW PASS Program has made the top five in the Institutional Award category of the Australian Awards for University Teaching presented by the Australian Universities Teaching Committee.

Media please note: A photo/filming opportunity when Dr Jacobs, Ms Rogan and the visiting representatives from other universities will be together is 10.30am during the morning tea break in Function Room 2, UniCentre (Building 11).

For further information contact Ms Sally Rogan on (02) 4221 5588.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128