New deal provides discounted UNSW courses for members

The University of NSW (UNSW) and IEU have formed a mutually beneficial partnership that will provide IEU members with access to discounted courses.

UNSW Professional Learning Coordinator Jennifer Eaton and IEU Professional Officer Amy Cotton are developing three co-branded courses to be rolled out this year.

The first course that has been developed is aimed at recent graduates called Demystifying Accreditation for New Graduates. This course is open for registration on the UNSW website. The IEU logo will appear indicating the course offers a discount. The other two courses have yet to be finalised.

For IEU members the course is discounted by 50%, so it costs $125 rather than $250.

The university is offering other courses through its School of Education at a 10% discount to IEU members.

Jennifer said the arrangement suited both organisations because it allows the university to stay in touch with working teachers, and gave the IEU access to academic speakers.

“UNSW is very focussed on supporting practicing teachers. It’s not just about producing graduates,” Jennifer said.

“The partnership with the IEU allows us to be grounded and stay in touch with professional teachers, allowing our courses to be relevant to what teachers are doing and needing.

“It allows us to get our presenters to a new audience, and the IEU access to future teachers.”

UNSW’s Dr Neville Ellis will present at the IEU’s Securing Our Future: Exploring Best Practice: Induction and Mentoring in the Teaching Profession Conference on 21-22 May.

Information on courses is available from the IEU website: ieu.asn.au and the UNSW website: education.arts.unsw.edu.au/professional-learning.

Newcastle deal

The final details of a formal agreement with Newcastle University in relation to Professional Experience (practicum) were discussed at a meeting between the IEU and Professor John Fischetti, Head of the School of Education at Newcastle University recently.

While the formalisation of the understanding is significant, the closer alignment between the IEU and Newcastle University is of considerable importance. Both parties will be having ongoing discussions about accredited professional development for supervising teachers, and courses that may lead to further qualification for practising teachers.

IEU General Secretary John Quessy indicated the professional conversation was positive and the industrial understandings between the two parties provided a sound basis for a productive relationship.