University of New England Vice-Chancellor Professor Annabelle Duncan, left, signing an historic agreement with Minister responsible for TAFE NSW Adam Marshall today in Armidale.
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
TAFE Digital and the University of New England (UNE) have entered into an historic Memorandum of Understanding to explore current and emerging technologies to support the organisations’ vision for online education and training, according to Northern Tablelands MP and Minister Responsible for TAFE NSW Adam Marshall.
Mr Marshall and UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Annabelle Duncan signed the formal agreement today at the TAFE Digital Headquarters in Armidale, firmly establishing the city’s credentials as the education powerhouse of Australia.
Under the agreement, TAFE Digital, TAFE NSW SkillsPoints and UNE will form project teams of technology and education experts to explore opportunities to improve the connection between the merit-based approach of higher education and the skills competency-based approach of the vocational education and training sectors.
Mr Marshall said TAFE Digital was collaborating with UNE and sharing ‘best practice’ in terms of machine learning and immersive technology to create quality online educational and articulation pathways for their students.
“Dedicated project teams will examine opportunities for students with specific emphasis on the feasibility of vertical and horizontal education integration, to provide them with options of multiple entry and exit points across both Higher Education and VET within an online context,” Mr Marshall said.
“The specific education areas that have already been identified for the development of bespoke online offerings include precision agriculture, nursing and healthcare.
“The NSW Government has made significant investments in technology and facilities to deliver ‘best practice’ online education, with mutually beneficial facilities identified.”
The UNE SMART Farm and TAFE NSW Digital Learning Lab will be integral to the research and development of immersive technology learning experiences for students.
“This collaboration further establishes Armidale as an edu-tech hub for the advancement of modern learning environments,” Mr Marshall said. “Both parties will collaboratively develop and show-case world-class online education initiatives essential to the growth of Australia.”