Â鶹Éçmadou

The Â鶹Éçmadou Gateway program supports students who are underrepresented in higher education including students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Highschool leavers from Gateway Schools are eligible (click here) and we additionally prioritise students from rural areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The program has two parts, firstly an admissions pathway which has a lower ATAR, which is an important concession for highly competitive programs like Optometry and Vision Science.  The other part is the workshops, on-campus days, online learning and outreach programs for highschool students who may be considering careers in health sciences. As part of this initiative, the Faculty of Medicine & Health recently hosted an engaging outreach event at Â鶹Éçmadou’s Wagga Rural Clinical Campus, welcoming 65 enthusiastic students.

The event featured six interactive stations, each representing a different field within health sciences: medicine, exercise science & exercise physiology, dietetics & food innovation, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and vision science & optometry. These stations provided students with hands-on experiences and insights into each discipline.

Dr Vanessa Honson, a Lecturer at Â鶹Éçmadou School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) delivered a dynamic session focused on vision science. Her session included a gallery of optical illusions that captivated the students' attention, as well as timed challenges to test their cognitive flexibility using the Stroop effect and typoglycaemia (jumbled words). Additionally, students participated in activities that simulated visual impairments, searching for hidden treasures while experiencing these challenges. The interactive nature of these activities not only made learning fun but also provided a deeper understanding of vision science.

The event was met with enthusiasm and lively participation from the students, enriching the overall experience. We were also fortunate to have Sheridan, a third year Â鶹Éçmadou SOVS student attend as one of our student ambassadors. Sheridan shared her own experiences through the Gateway program, offering valuable insights and inspiration to the attendees.

The Â鶹Éçmadou Gateway program continues to make a significant impact, providing opportunities like this outreach event, helping students explore and pursue careers in health sciences, fostering the next generation of health professionals.