A new university program started on the Border hopes to encourage more regional students into post-graduate research projects.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
La Trobe University students from the Wodonga campus were the first to get a chance to delve into the world of research thanks to a new research taster program launched by the university.
Designed to open undergraduate students up to the world of higher-degree research, the six-week program connected students with an academic based on campus, to work on a project of local significance, and beyond.
The nine projects span a range of disciplines including psychology, history, biomedical science, environmental science and sociology.
For psychology honours student Sam Lane delving into the world of research has encouraged her to study at PhD next year.
"I have had a little bit of exposure to some aspects of research through my under graduate degree but it just seemed like a better opportunity to get a better taste to see whether it was for me or not," she told The Border Mail.
"I got matched with my supervisor Heather Downey who is a social worker and her project is on the meaning of water in river communities.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"It was a great taste of research, I think it is great we don't have to travel to access that.
"I was already considering research but this program has kind of cemented that for me, so as a psych student I am considering doing a PhD next year after completing my honours year this year."
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar said the program gives undergraduate students hands-on experience in helping solve real-world problems.
"We have so much impactful research happening right here in Albury-Wodonga - and so many opportunities for students to pursue their passion for a particular topic after they graduate, by enrolling in a masters or PhD," he said.
"The program also enriches the students experience here at university which is so important, especially after the year we have had with the pandemic and having to do remote classes."
Speaking from the Wodonga campus for the first time in more than 12 months Professor Dewar said having people back on campus has been a "huge relief" for the university.
La Trobe funded the program, paying each student $1500 over the six weeks.