Enhancing the Student Experience: Short Term Research Mobility

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We've all read the headlines: Enhance the student experience; increase research outputs and therefore increase the brand and reputation of the institution through rankings.

Globally we're seeing institutions develop strategies to ensure current students are offered more than just a degree! At the same time universities are desperately seeking to climb the rankings ladder and produce world class research, working collaboratively through well maintained partnerships across the globe.

As a result of the Science Without Borders program, Swinburne University of Technology saw an opportunity to enhance the study abroad program. The institution offered these students the opportunity to participate in a tailor made short term research mobility program at the duration of their study abroad program. Subsequently the program has developed and is now offered on a much wider scale.

These students nominated a research centre or project that aligned to their undergraduate degree. They spent six weeks working on a research project with a supervisor and in some cases other research students. This allowed students a taste of life as a research student whilst showcasing the university's facilities, academic staff and research strengths.

This session will focus on providing participants with:
- How the program is structured
- How to gain support from the research centres
- Development of the research
- Benefits to the institution
- Benefits to the student
- Examples of student projects
- Student Outcomes
- How the program has evolved and where it is today

Author(s):

Justine Morris    
Swinburne University of Technology
Australia