University of Newcastle Awarding Adjustments Points to HSC Students

BY ISABEL EVERETT

In a first for the University sector, The University of Newcastle is offering five adjustment points to school leaver students this year.

The points will be applied automatically via UAC (Universities Admission Centre) to students who preference the University of Newcastle, in recognition of the extraordinary challenges faced during the COVID-19 disrupted HSC year.

“What we’ve heard from schools is that Year 12 students are absolutely feeling the pressure and have found this year exceedingly challenging," said University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinksy.

"We want to reassure young people and their families that they will be okay.”

In addition to COVID-19 adjustment points, the University of Newcastle has offered support for Year 12 Students in a range of creative ways, including a sector-first tutoring initiative, which saw its Masters of Teaching students deliver one-on-one tutoring support for more than 300 HSC students.

Professor Zelinksy said the University of Newcastle would continue to focus on ensuring Year 12 Students did not fall through the cracks.

“We’ll continue to work with schools to understand ways we can help to ensure COVID-19 does not become a complication that results in young people giving up on their university aspirations,” said Professor Zelinsky.

University of Newcastle Launches Australian First Program, Allowing Refugees Early Access To Law Degrees

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The University of Newcastle has launched Australia’s first scheme to offer people from a refugee background the opportunity to gain early entry to study Law.

The Refugee Early Entry Scheme considers a person’s whole experience, including a range of measures beyond results at school or tertiary admission rank.

Successful applicants are accepted into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined degree program before sitting their final Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations, reducing the pressures associated with the transition to higher education. 

Associate Professor with Newcastle Law School, Amy Maguire, said people from refugee backgrounds had a range of diverse experiences to bring to legal study and practice.

“There are many people in our communities from refugee and migrant backgrounds who will benefit from legal representation by people who share lived experiences and cultural knowledge,” Associate Professor Maguire said.

“Widening participation is a core value at the University of Newcastle and we want to support motivated and talented students, regardless of their background or circumstances, who might not otherwise have gained access to our programs.

“Our whole Law School is enriched by the increasing diversity of our student body, so our early entry schemes really increase success for all.”

The sector-leading scheme is the Law School’s second offering in this space, following the establishment of the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme, which has admitted 20 Indigenous students into Law since commencing in 2017.

Indigenous students now comprise five per cent of the undergraduate Law cohort.

Gabby Hinchey, a proud Gamilaraay woman from Tamworth gained entry to Law via the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme and said it had been life changing. 

“I’ve always had my sights set on studying at the University of Newcastle so it was such a weight off my shoulders and a transformational moment to be accepted through the Early Entry Scheme,” Gabby said.

“To people considering applying for the Scheme, my advice is to go for it."

Newcastle Law School is inviting applications from eligible students currently preparing for their Higher School Certificate or enrolled in an enabling program at the University of Newcastle to apply for entry to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined.  

Law student, Gabby Hinchey

University of Newcastle Now Strongly Urging Staff and Students to Wear Masks

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The University of Newcastle is now strongly encouraging staff and students to wear masks while on campus.

Students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to use the face coverings on campus especially if they are medically ‘at risk’ or when in enclosed areas.

This includes classrooms, on public transport and in some class settings such as labs where students need to move around, and where social distancing is difficult. 

Students must use masks where they have been informed there is a professional/accreditation requirement (such as for nursing or medical practical classes). 

While students are typically required to provide their own mask, anyone who occasionally forgets can collect a disposable mask from Student Hubs or a library.

Staff and students can request a disposable mask in the following scenarios (although for sustainability reasons individuals are urged to purchase their own cloth masks):

•  Are a close contact of someone who is awaiting COVID-19 test results.
•  Returned in the last 14-days from an area of increased testing and surveillance area.
•  A staff member who is attending work but defined as medically at risk for COVID-19.

In a statement the University said "when social distancing is hard, the fourth line of defence is a mask. Masks may provide some advantage, and particularly act as a barrier should you be infected."

Staff are being encouraged to use a mask at any time while on campus, including in classrooms.

Staff should email;
 Health.Response@newcastle.edu.au to arrange a collection point.

New Pathways for Disadvantaged Students to Study Medicine at Newcastle University

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

The University of Newcastle have announced new pathways for students who have overcome major life challenges to study Medicine.

From next year, up to six places in the University’s Medical Program will be earmarked for students who apply through the Excellence through Equity Pathway to Medicine pilot.

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alex Zelinsky said the Excellence through Equity Pathway to Medicine would build on the University’s longstanding commitment to widening participation for students from all backgrounds.

“There are many examples of medical researchers and health practitioners world-wide who have used their own circumstances and background as a driver for positive change in healthcare and health outcomes for patients,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“Many people in our community will be familiar with our Open Foundation and Newstep programs, which have long provided successful pathways into undergraduate health disciplines. But until now there has been no similar program available for entry into Medicine."

As part of the pilot, students who complete Open Foundation or Newstep programs will be eligible for the pathway into Medicine if they satisfy academic and interview criteria, as well as demonstrate socioeconomic disadvantage and three additional equity indicators. 

These equity indicators are:

·         Financial hardship

·         Regional, rural, remote or isolated area

·         Carer responsibilities

·         Refugee status

·         Sole parent

·         Personal illness or disability

·         Experience of domestic and family violence

·         Out-of-home care experience

·         School status

·         Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

“This new enabling pathway to the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program) strengthens the University’s commitment to equity across our degree programs."

“Having a medical workforce that better reflects the broader community where they work will ensure that health services and approaches to care are developed and provided with the full diversity of the population in mind,” Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health and Medicine Professor Elizabeth Sullivan said.

“In turn, this can lead to greater health equity in our society.”

Students who have already graduated from an enabling program, completed an additional 12 months study, and meet the equity criteria will also be eligible for this pathway.

Open Foundation graduate Kurtis Simpson, who is currently studying medical engineering, welcomed the new pathway.

“I began my university studies at age 26, which might not seem very old but when you have spent eight years in the workforce without studying, the pathway into university seems daunting, especially if you did not excel in high school. 

I was grateful that the University of Newcastle’s enabling program and especially the teachers and support personnel who made the transition as easy as possible,” Kurtis said.

“Had the Excellence through Equity Pathway to Medicine been on offer there is no doubt that I would have jumped at the opportunity to apply for Medicine, as I think it’s a field that thrives on the diversity of experience that its practitioners bring."

Pop-Up Drive Through Covid-19 Testing Clinic Opening at University of Newcastle

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A four lane, drive-through COVID-19 clinic will open at The University of Newcastle on Tuesday.

Testing at the University clinic will operate 8am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday from Tuesday.

Those wishing to be tested must contact the drive-through clinic on 4964 7497 to arrange an appointment, prior to attending, with phone lines opening up at 8am on Tuesday morning. 

Dr Paul Craven, Medical Controller for Hunter New England Health’s COVID-19 response said that as the weather gets colder and there are more coughs and colds about, it’s important people get tested to rule out COVID-19. But what’s also important is that people get tested at the most appropriate place.

“Winter is always a busy time for our hospitals so we’re urging locals with milder cold and flu like symptoms, who do not need emergency care, to utilise other available options for testing, not just EDs” Dr Craven said.

“This will mean we have more space at our hospitals for those who need emergency care and we reduce the footfall at our facilities to protect our staff and vulnerable patients,” he said.

“The new drive-through clinic at the University will provide a fast and convenient way to access COVID-19 testing, along with the other clinics running across the District, and the free, bulk-billed testing being done in the community through other providers.”

Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath, or with symptoms such as loss of sense of smell or taste, is urged to get tested.

“If you feel under the weather and need to be tested, we urge you to try to see your GP first, use a private pathology provider or use the drive through service at University of Newcastle.” Dr Craven said.

“If you cannot get to see your GP, the online GP service Swiftdocs can see you for a five minute free online consult before providing a direct referral for bulk-billed swab close to where you live, all at the touch of a button.

“If you are really sick, never stay away from hospital, please come and see us in Emergency. We are here for you,” he said.

Image Credit: Daily Telegraph

Hunter Medical Research Organisations Receive $860,000 to Investigate Bush Fire Smoke Effects

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Researchers from the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute and Hunter New England Health have received more than $860,000 to analyse the physiological and mental health effects of hazardous bushfire smoke.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have funded  project led by conjoint Professor Peter Gibson. 

"One of the things we're particularly looking at is what did people do to avoid the exposure, and did it work," Professor Gibson said. 

"We've already started talking to people about what did and didn't work in terms of simple things such as staying inside and closing windows and did that reduce the chance of long term outcomes."

"Also not only personnel protection like masks but bigger picture stuff like should you leave the area all together, and for how long, and whether the design of the building you're in also plays a role." 

The outcomes of the two year project will be staged, with the researchers aiming to get information out before the next bush fire season. 

Other more detailed aspects like analyzing samples and understanding how the body responds to the smoke is expected to take around 18 months. 

Staff at the John Hunter Hospital, will be exploring the impacts of prolonged exposure to the smoke on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women with mild asthma, and adults with severe asthma.

The experiences of those who were suffering from asthma at the time of the devastating bushfires last year and at the beginning of this year will be examined. 

"We’ll be working to ascertain the impact on quality of life, mental health, respiratory symptoms, lung function and, in mothers with asthma, the impact on perinatal outcomes and infant feeding,” Professor Gibson said.

"We’ll be assessing the effectiveness of exposure reduction strategies. We’ll also be examining biological samples from our participants to look at the presence and extent of contaminants present."

University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Janet Nelson, said the significant funding success was critical in ensuring Australia’s preparedness into the future.

“As we continue to see more and more extreme bushfire activity, we need to be prepared to address the significant health effects on our communities,” she said.

“We have outstanding respiratory researchers here in the Hunter with a strong background in diseases of the airways,” HMRI Institute Director, Professor Tom Walley, said. 

“It’s exciting to see how their existing knowledge into respiratory diseases can be translated into finding solutions to emerging and long-term health problems around bushfire smoke.”

Newcastle University Counting Big Losses During COVID-19 Pandemic

BY IAN CROUCH

The University of Newcastle is expected to miss out on tens of millions of dollars in revenue as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an update to staff, Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinski said the loss of income from international student fees, commercial income, interest and dividends would likely be in the order of $58 million this year.

The university is currently looking at potential cost savings to cushion the economic blow,

However the National Tertiary Education Union says the university should not use the loss to justify cuts to staff positions and conditions, saying the lost revenue was the same amount as the surplus achieved in 2017.

NTEU branch president, Dan Conway says the university has significant cash reserves and investments available, along with substantial lines of credit which it can use to minimise the impact on staff.

"We believe the university will not be able to justify requiring any cuts to staff conditions or staffing levels as a result of the crisis in light of the decision to peruse $168 million capital expenditure this year," he said.

Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinski says UoN likely to lose $58 million from its bottom line in 2020 Picture: newcastleherald.com.au

More Hunter and Central Coast Suburbs Facing Disadvantage Due To COVID-19 Job Loss

BY IAN CROUCH

A joint study by the Universities of Newcastle and Griffith has found more than 100 Australian suburbs are now considered to be at high risk from COVID-19 related job loss.

Professor Bill Mitchell from the University of Newcastle and Professor Scott Baum from Griffith University have collaborated to update the Employment Vulnerability Index, which maps Australian suburbs that are susceptible to economic and social disadvantage due to COVID-19 job losses.

They include several suburbs in the Hunter and Central Coast like Blacksmiths, Belmont South, Maitland West, Summerland Point, Mannering Park, Lake Munmorah and Singleton.

These are areas where there is a high proportion of dual income households which have never before been considered to be at risk of economic or social disadvantage.

With many of these households carrying high mortgages and credit card debt, recent job losses due to COVID-19 is placing them at high risk of social and economic pain.

Professor Mitchell said across Australia, 108 locations were identified as areas of emerging disadvantage, adding to the list of 97 locations with existing disadvantage.

Those areas which are traditionally identified as being disadvantaged like Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Jesmond and Windale are likely to be even further impacted COVID-19 by job losses.

 "For disadvantaged suburbs in smaller non-metropolitan regions where the spectre of job loss is more widespread across entire towns or regions, any rise in employment disadvantage is likely to see more significant impacts," he said.

Professor Baum said the two groups, emerging and historically disadvantaged localities, raised different issues for policy makers.

"For the group we call 'existing disadvantage job loss suburbs', further labour market disadvantage will cement the social and economic malaise experienced by these communities and widen the gap with the rest of the nation," he said.

Professor Mitchell warned that withdrawing government support after the crisis is over may undo any positive outcomes.

"There is a real danger that the government will retract support mechanisms too soon. This is something we have seen before. Ultimately how these suburbs and localities fare will depend on the impact of the Federal Government's economic rescue package and the depth of the economic downturn. Outcomes may not be as bad as some have predicted," he said.

Professor Bill Mitchell, Director of the Centre of Full Employment and Equity at the University of Newcastle