UniSA asks its graduates to give part-time jobs to struggling students
UniSA’s graduates have been asked to step up and offer part-time jobs to students struggling financially because of COVID-19.
Tertiary
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Graduates of UniSA have been asked to help current students who are struggling financially because of the pandemic downturn by giving them a job.
UniSA vice-chancellor David Lloyd has written to alumni to make the appeal.
“Before COVID-19 many of our 35,000-student population were already balancing study and part time work,” he said.
“With a third of UniSA students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and many students still cut off physically from family or support networks, any support through job opportunities could make a massive difference.
“No matter how small the job, with more students looking for employment, we are endeavouring to help them find opportunities.”
UniSA established a student hardship fund early in the pandemic.
The fund has distributed more than $9m to some 6000 students.
Flinders University also has an emergency fund that has given grants to about 2000 students, as well as increasing academic and wellbeing support programs.
Flinders created new Matthew Flinders scholarships of up to $2000, with about 2000 awarded.
“We have committed more than two thirds of our $12.5 million support package for 2020 and the balance will go to 2021 to ensure there’s ongoing support for current and commencing students,” a Flinders spokeswoman said.
Adelaide University said it had provided some form of assistance to 4400 students – or nearly one in five of the student body.
These included 2949 financial hardship grants and 3990 international student support grants as well as food hampers, accommodation support and IT equipment.
“Alumni, staff and friends of the university gave generously to support the initiative, including members of the executive team who donated 20 per cent of their salaries for three months,” a spokeswoman said.
The State Government in April allocated $13.8m to assist international students.
Of that $10m was allocated via the three universities and, so far, $1.8m has been given as grants directly to 3628 students.
“Supporting international students as much as possible will help maintain SA’s global reputation for international education,” a government spokesman said.
Care packages of basic food and personal products were made available by the State Government in a $320,000 initiative to support vulnerable SA residents, including students, with distribution through frontline welfare organisations.