Developing Distinctive Graduates

The Community of Expertise: Developing Distinctive Graduates was set-up, with the help of CELT, because the idea of Developing Distinctive Graduates has been an embedded approach for many staff at USW; and is central to the Student Experience Plan and new 2030 Strategy. But is there a USW ‘way’? Could there be? What can we learn from your expertise and experiences? The 2030 Strategy wants students to undertake real world challenge-based curricula and develop attributes to have a positive societal impact as graduates. Are you designing your curriculum to include these challenges? Is it fit for the future and you’d like to share it? Do you work in the Professional Services and want to share your ideas? Where would staff new to this idea start? What could they try? What should they avoid? 

The primary purpose of this CommExp is for you, the experts in this area from across USW, to connect with each other and see what arises. There is such a wealth of expertise at USW to develop distinctive graduates, but, perhaps staff working in this area across the University don’t know each other – and your work could be harnessed and grown by coming together to share ideas and approaches.

In recent years a number of individual staff and groups have showcased their work internally through STARS and externally by applying for prestigious external awards. Reflecting on these submissions, the striking thing that connects them all is their Developing Distinctive Graduates ethos: empowering and enabling students to develop professionalism, learning autonomy, resilience etc to become ethical change agents and successful world citizens who are prized graduates in the workplace and beyond.

Community members can share content and collaborate using the dedicated, private CommExp: Developing Distinctive Graduates SharePoint site (new or prospective Community members can follow the link to request access to this site). 

If you're a USW colleague or student involved in work to develop distinctive graduates, join us!