Graduates rate their education highly but work to do
Sonja Larsen
Public relations assistant
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
Ratings from graduates published in the 2012 edition of The Good Universities Guide reinforce Avondale College of Higher Education’s reputation for providing quality education.
The experience rates: Avondale is one of only two institutions to receive eight five-star ratings in “The educational experience” area of The Good Universities Guide. The area is important because most of the data comes from a survey of graduates conducted by an independent third party. Credit: Colin Chuang.
Avondale again receives five stars in the key “The educational experience” area—for student–staff ratio, staff qualifications, teaching quality, generic skills and overall satisfaction. With the addition this year of ratings from domestic graduates, Avondale receives eight five-star ratings, one of only two institutions—Bond University is the other—to do so.
The educational experience
President Dr Ray Roennfeldt describes this as “gratifying.” “While we’re working hard to increase our research intensity, we can’t afford to neglect the ‘bread and butter’ of the Avondale experience—teaching quality, generic skills and overall satisfaction. Five-star ratings for these show we remain focused on our ethos and mission.”
Ray gives two reasons for Avondale’s consistent five-star ratings in “The educational experience” area. “Our staff members are totally committed—they’re the best. And our students are service-focused and talented—I’m in awe of them.”
“The education experience” area is important because data for six of the eight ratings comes from a Course Experience Questionnaire survey of graduates conducted by Graduate Careers Australia. “Feedback from former students obtained by an independent third party—that’s credible and valuable,” says newly appointed director of advancement and marketing Colin Crabtree.
Avondale receives mixed ratings in other areas of the guide.
Characteristics
In “Characteristics,” the guide gives Avondale only one star for student demand (down one from this past year) and no stars for non-government earnings, research grants and research intensity (same).
Access and equity
Ratings are higher in “Access and equity,” with four stars for indigenous participation (same) and the proportion of students given credit for TAFE studies (up four), three stars for access by equity groups (down one) and entry flexibility (up one), two stars for the proportion of entrants who are school leavers (down one) and one star for gender balance (same).
Who’s there
In “Who’s there,” the guide rates Avondale—with a semester one enrolment of 1347—as having a “very small” number of higher education students. A “high” proportion of these are over 25 years of age, so it is not surprising an “average” proportion study off campus. A “low” proportion study part-time. Only a “small” number come from countries other than Australia and New Zealand, so the guide gives Avondale only two stars for cultural diversity (same).
Graduate outcomes
And in “Graduate outcomes,” the guide gives Avondale only one star for getting a full-time job (same) and positive graduate outcomes (same) and no stars for graduate starting salary (same)—although this rating is based only on graduates aged 25 years and under in their first full-time job.
All the ratings in this area are based on data from a Graduate Destination Survey, also conducted by Graduate Careers Australia. “Our criteria in determining excellence is different to what’s measured in ‘Graduate outcomes,’” says Colin. “It’s not about money or status but about making a difference, often through service. That’s the key to Avondale’s mission.”
Released on Friday this past week (August 19), the guide is the only publication containing independent rankings and ratings of all universities and higher education providers in Australia.—with Brenton Stacey