Pictured L to R: Chancellor Dr Martin Parkinson; Professor S Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor; the Hon Jason Clare MP; Jerome Laxale MP, Federal Member for Bennelong

Chancellor Dr Martin Parkinson and Professor S Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, welcomed Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP and Jerome Laxale MP, Federal Member for Bennelong, on a tour of Wallumattagal campus last week.

The event took place against the rich backdrop of public consultation about the Australian Universities Accord, the establishment of a teacher education expert panel and the development of a migration system for Australia’s future.

The meeting included a tour of campus facilities, such as the learning spaces in and around the Central Courtyard, the Arts Precinct and Jannawi Pavilion. Professor Chris Dixon, Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, and Professor Matt Bower, Interim Dean, Macquarie School of Education, discussed the faculty’s experience in initial teacher education and options to address the teacher skills shortage across Australia. Bower related the importance of recognising prospective students’ individual needs, prior learning and experience.

Dr Leanne Holt, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy, and Macquarie University teaching student Mel Wurramarrba briefed the Minister about Macquarie University programs that support First Nations Peoples and effective approaches to provide opportunity to students in regional and remote communities.