The 3rd National PASS Conference

The 3rd National PASS Conference will take place on Monday, 2nd July, 2007 at the Gardens Point Campus, QUT Brisbane. The event is co- hosted by the PASS National Centre at the University of Wollongong and the Queensland University of Technology.

This event aims to develop awareness of national and international developments in peer learning programs.

Whether you're a current PASS / SI practitioner or considering implementing PASS, the event provides a terrific opportunity to network with and learn from other PASS practitioners.

Guest Speaker Dr. Glen Jacobs is the Executive Director of the International Center for Supplemental Instruction (SI) and the Director of the Center for Academic Development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. SI is an academic student support program that Dr. Jacobs has expanded nationally and internationally.

He previously served as the Chairman and Director of the Department of Educational Services, as well as Professor of Medical Education, at St. George's University School of Medicine. Born in South Africa, Dr. Jacobs is an international educator. He has presented extensively on student learning and success throughout Europe, the United States, South Africa, Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, and the Caribbean. His most recent publication is a co-edited monograph - Supplemental Instruction: New Visions for Empowering Student Learning (Jossey-Bass, 2006).

Dr. Glen Jacobs will present on Supplemental Instruction (SI) / PASS, which was developed in 1973 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Center for Academic Development. SI is a nationally and internationally renowned academic support and retention program. To date, faculty and staff from over 1,500 institutions in 29 countries / territories have participated in SI training workshops. A major strength of the SI model is that it can and has been modified on an international level to meet the diverse needs of different cultures and educational systems. Additionally, SI is successfully utilized in a variety of different institutions such as medical schools, 4-year universities, 2-year community colleges, and high schools. SI has also proven to be beneficial within numerous academic disciplines including the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, business, computer science, and health. Finally, Dr. Jacobs will emphasize the institutional advantages of implementing SI and highlight effective strategies for obtaining and maintaining administrative buy-in for the program.

Other presenters will include:

• Prof. Sally Kift (Director of the First Year Experience Project at QUT) will give the opening address.
• Dr. Timothy Moss from University of Tasmania will describe the journey from training (in Semester 1 2006) to implementation (in Semester 1 2007) of PASS at the University of Tasmania. PASS at UTAS operates at institutional level, incorporating units within three faculties. He will highlight some of the key challenges and opportunities of establishing PASS and focus on the lessons learnt about planning, negotiations, recruitment, training, and the early stages of implementation.
• Dr. Irene Tan from Taylor's College Malaysia will share about the progress of PASS at Taylor's since its inception in July 2006. She will briefly describe the history, implementation, and evaluation of its first semester of PASS. Her talk will focus on the challenges of implementing PASS for different campuses and programs, strategic planning for its sustainability, and the "human stamina" needed to ensure its effectiveness.
• Sally Rogan from UOW and PASS National Trainer will give an update from the National PASS Centre.
• Phillip Dawson (PhD Candidate) from UOW will discuss his PhD research about the support of geographically dispersed PASS Leaders through online mentoring.

Registration

Details for the day

Accommodation

• Studio Room ($170 per room per night):
  Studio Rooms consist of a queen bed and sleep a maximum of two people.
• One Bedroom Suite ($210 per room per night):
  One Bedroom Suites have one queen bed and one fold out double sofa bed. Rates given are based on up to two people.

There are only ten of each room type available for conference delegates. As such, it is suggested that those interested in utilising this offer should book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In order to take advantage of this special rate, all bookings must be confirmed before 2 May 2007. To book, please call phone number below and quote "3RDN0707" or "3rd National PASS Conference". The Sebel Suites Details Cnr Albert & Charlotte Streets Brisbane, Queensland, 4000 Tel: 07 3224 3500 Fax: 07 3211 0277

Pre- Conference Networking Dinner

There will be a networking dinner on Sunday July 1st with Dr. Glen Jacobs at 7pm. The dinner will be held at Chez Laila, which is located on the boardwalk at Southbank Parklands.

If you wish to attend this dinner, be sure to indicate this on the registration form. Further details regarding this dinner will be released in the coming weeks. Please note that this dinner is not included in the conference registration costs.

Further Information

For directions to the campus from your accommodation, check out the whereis web site. It has a good search facility which will give you the exact directions to the campus.

Please visit this website for further details as they’re released. Or please feel free to contact Lidija with any queries you may have at lidija@uow.edu.au

Notices

The 10th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference "Regenerate, Engage, Experiment" is the theme of the 10th First Year in Higher Education Conference which will be held on the 4th - 6th July, 2007 at the QUT Gardens Point Campus. The conference will address issues related to the first year study experience. For more information, please visit www.fyhe.qut.edu.au