Fed: NUS turns its attention to uni classrooms with new survey

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2010
Fed: NUS turns its attention to uni classrooms with new survey

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - The National Union of Students (NUS) has turned its attention
from university students' financial woes to difficulties in the classroom.

NUS president Carla Drakeford on Tuesday invited tertiary students to complete the
group's nationwide survey into teaching quality at Australian universities.

Students will be asked about classroom sizes, how good their campus facilities are,
the availability of teachers and course resources.

The survey follows the federal government's recent announcement that its My School
concept would be applied to tertiary institutions, allowing students to easily compare
their services and results.

The website is scheduled to be launched by January 2012.

Having spent the last few months fighting for improved welfare benefits for students,
Ms Drakeford said it was also important to throw the spotlight on universities classroom
credentials.

"We are seeing a renewed emphasis on measuring the student experience at universities," she said.

"NUS believes in the importance of having a student voice in these dialogues."

Ms Drakeford said the survey would highlight how students felt about their tertiary
experience, and hopefully lead to a greater investment in teaching and learning.

The NUS poll can be taken online until May 30, with a final report on its results due
to be handed down in August.

AAP bsb/sb

KEYWORD: TEACHING

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