Welcome to the fifth edition of the WACE Newsletter. This newsletter is aimed at helping you stay connected to Co-operative & Work Integrated Education (CWIE) developments across the globe. WACE is the only international professional organization dedicated to developing, expanding, branding and advocating for cooperative & work-integrated education programs within industry and educational institutions.

WACE has had a remarkably busy few months with the great success of our first virtual world conference in May which brought together over 400 colleagues from across the world. Planning has also commenced for next year’s WACE International Research Symposium in Japan at Kanazawa Institute of Technology.

Many institutions have joined WACE recently and, in this newsletter, we profile one of them, Charles Sturt University in Australia. WACE membership for the next year are now available. Membership will enable institutions to take full advantage of WACE events and programmes and have a say in WACE’s future directions.

In WACE News we announce new dates for the next two Global Challenges #2 November 2021 and #3 January 2022 with dates for information sessions and open the expressions of interest. Global Challenge #1 is about to commence with 13 institutions involved from 8 countries and students located in 17 countries.

In sad news, we mourn the loss of Dr Jim Wilson who pioneered research into co-operative education and pay tribute to all he contributed to the field.

In this newsletter we also share news on professional development opportunities, regional WIL news, research updates from the WACE International Research Community, and resources including a new WIL publication.

We welcome your feedback and any updates you would like to include in future editions of the newsletter and hope everyone is staying safe in these challenging times. Many thanks to all those who have contributed to this newsletter, and to Kylie Twyford for her ongoing support of the newsletter.

Judie Kay, Norah McRae, Nancy Johnston, and Jim Stellar
WACE Secretariat

WACE NEWS

NEXT YEAR’S WACE MEMBERSHIP NOW AVAILABLE

Not a WACE member? 
Now is a great  time to consider becoming a WACE member to take full advantage of upcoming WACE events such as the International Research Symposium and for reduced rates for participation in the next Global Challenge programs (November 2021 and January 2022).

Membership also gives you an opportunity to join a vibrant WIL community and to have a voice in WACE’s future directions. Membership information is available here and please contact us with any questions you might have.

Current WACE members will be receiving membership renewal notices in the next weeks.

GLOBAL CHALLENGE PROGRAM WITH WACE AND PRACTERA

Global Challenge connects students from universities from around the world to work in multi-disciplinary, culturally diverse teams on authentic industry projects linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Global Challenge #1 June 2021: Enrolments are now closed. This programme will commence shortly with 108 students from 13 institutions in 8 countries with students located in 17 countries. Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tajikistan, UK, USA and Vietnam.

Expressions of interest for Institutions to participate in Global Challenge #2 & #3 are now open: 

Global Challenge #2 November 2021: 

• Programme dates: 15th November – 8th December 2021
• Expressions of interest by Institutions by 22nd September

Global Challenge # 3 January 2022:

• Programme dates:  31st January – Wednesday 23rd February 2022
• Expressions of interest by Institutions by 30th November

For more details and to register your institutions interest or attend an information session being held on 6th/7th September, visit here.

WACE WORLD VIRTUAL CONFERENCE 2021

Over 450 participants from 21 countries and 50 organisations attended the recent WACE World Virtual Conference in May 2021. It was wonderful to connect with colleagues from across the WACE community and meet the many colleagues joining a WACE event for the first time.

The conference was held over three days and across two-time zones Conference feedback indicated 83 % of respondents rated the conference above average or excellent with key strengths of the conference being the virtual platform, the prerecorded presentations, the live Q and A presenter sessions, Regional Spotlight and WIL Conversation sessions. All conference participants have been emailed the links to the presentations and recordings of some live sessions to continue to benefit from the global expertise in WIL.

Participants reported that they welcomed the opportunity to network with colleagues globally and to get updates on research and practice across the world. Feedback also provided a range of suggestions to assist us in planning for future events. A big thank you to all of our presenters, sponsors and participants for making it such a fantastic event.

2022 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM: KANAZAWA, JAPAN

The next WACE International Research Symposium will be held in Kanazawa Japan hosted by Kanazawa Institute of Technology. The dates are now confirmed for August 31st – September 2^nd. Call for Abstracts will commence in November 2021.

BECOME A WACE MEMBER

Consider joining WACE as members have access to member-only programmes and discounts for the many events and professional development planned for 2020 / 2021.

Memberships for the next year are now open. Full member benefits, fees and application details are here.

WACE MEMBER PROFILE

WACE WELCOMES CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA

Charles Sturt University is a regional Australian university that develops holistic, far-sighted people who help their communities grow and flourish.  Our mission is to build skills and knowledge in our regions and beyond. We offer choice and flexibility to students and work hand-in-hand with our industries and communities in teaching, research and engagement.

At Charles Sturt University, students get hands-on experience from day one. Because it’s not what we say that makes a difference. It’s what we do.

Work integrated learning (WIL) is core to Charles Sturt’s mission of delivering high quality, flexible student learning that provides students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional networks for meaningful lives and successful careers. WIL is highly valued at Charles Sturt and we offer a wide range of WIL and placement experiences. WIL experiences enhance graduate employability outcomes and facilitate formation of real connections with industry and community through meaningful and authentic education experiences. In our Faculty of Science, WIL is undertaken by students from a broad range of disciplines for example, nursing, veterinary science, agricultural science, environmental science, exercise science, dentistry, pharmacy and allied health. We facilitate more than 11,500 Science and Health student placements annually through internships, practicums, clinical placements and other forms of hands-on experience in the workplace.

The University also offers WIL opportunities in the Faculty of Arts and Education, such as those for students in teaching, creative industries and social work. Our Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences in addition to WIL activities has compulsory placement embedded in many disciplines such as policing, management, marketing, HR, accounting, engineering, psychology and law with over 2,000 hosting partnerships. Conservative estimates value these student placement contributions to regional business at over $10 million AU.

Hear about business students talk about their placement experiences at CSU.