Responding to Remote, Rural and Regional Tertiary Education Needs: A Conversation Between the Australian Regional Education Commissioner and the Scottish Commissioner for Fair Access

John McKendrick; Fiona Nash; John Guenther; Laurence Lasselle; Melyssa Fuqua; Carmel Hall

doi:10.47381/aijre.v34i2.749

Responding to Remote, Rural and Regional Tertiary Education Needs

A Conversation Between the Australian Regional Education Commissioner and the Scottish Commissioner for Fair Access

Authors

John McKendrick Glasgow Caledonian University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5683-7251
Fiona Nash Regional Education Commissioner
John Guenther Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0080-1698
Laurence Lasselle University of St Andrews https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4058-0719
Melyssa Fuqua University of Melbourne https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0713-8646
Carmel Hall Regional Education Commissioner Policy Secretariat

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v34i2.749

Keywords:

rural, regional, remote, fair access to tertiary education, equity, widening access

Abstract

Access to tertiary education remains a significant concern for many remote, regional and rural communities. This topic has been explored in the Australian and International Journal of Rural Education since its creation. In February 2024, the Journal went one step further by facilitating a conversation between two policy leaders whose remits include fair access to tertiary education, Ms Fiona Nash, the Australian Regional Education Commissioner and Professor John McKendrick, the Scottish Commissioner for Fair Access. They candidly discussed the importance of responding to tertiary education needs of regional, rural and remote communities from their perspectives. They reviewed a range of complex and compounding issues for remote, regional and rural students in accessing tertiary education in both countries, elaborated on their respective policy contexts.

Author Biographies

Fiona Nash, Regional Education Commissioner

Australia’s first Regional Education Commissioner is the Hon Fiona Nash.

Ms Nash has a deep love for regional Australia and an enduring interest in regional education, with strong links to the education sector. She is a champion for regional, rural and remote education, working with stakeholders and governments across sectors so all Australians can access a high-quality education, regardless of where they live.

Participation, attainment and completion in all levels of education can be more difficult the further you travel from major cities. As Commissioner, Ms Nash aims to bridge this gap and address the disparity in education outcomes.

Her broad remit to improve regional education from early childhood education to tertiary education means she can provide a national focus and direction for regional education.

Ms Nash has previously represented New South Wales in the Senate from 2004 to 2017, holding several ministerial roles including Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Regional Communications and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education.

John Guenther, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education

John is the Research Leader Education and Training, with Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, based in Darwin, Northern Territory. Over the last 20 years John has conducted research and evaluation projects which have focused on remote contexts, covering all states and territories of Australia. While his work has focused mainly on learning, the intersections between training and education with health, wellbeing, traditional knowledge systems, economic, natural resource management, mining and a range of social issues, feature in his work.
John's research expertise extends from an array of practical qualitative and quantitative methodologies for research and evaluation, through to a range of theoretical and philosophical perspectives. He is interested in the translation of empirical evidence to policy and practice settings. He has a growing publishing track record and regularly contributes to conferences and researcher forums to share his knowledge.
John supervises and mentors several higher degree research students across Australia and supports networks and collaborations in several universities across Australia.

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Published

18-07-2024

How to Cite

McKendrick, J., Nash, F., Guenther, J., Lasselle, L., Fuqua, M., & Hall, C. (2024). Responding to Remote, Rural and Regional Tertiary Education Needs: A Conversation Between the Australian Regional Education Commissioner and the Scottish Commissioner for Fair Access. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 34(2), 113–124. https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v34i2.749

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Issue

Vol. 34 No. 2 (2024): Considering Diversity in Educational Research that Explores School-Community Relationships

Section

RURAL CONNECTIONS: CELEBRATING SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

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