Upcoming Events for Your Diary
ACEN2022 Conference – Creating the future with WIL 
24 & 25 October, 2022
Be part of the premier WIL conference in the Asia-Pacific and see Melbourne in the spring!
The ACEN National Conference is a great opportunity to revisit your WIL networks, or create new ones, in a post-COVID environment.
With a reputation built across more than a decade of leading research and practice, the ACEN community sets the international benchmark for WIL research and advances leading edge and innovative practice – creating our future with WIL.
Do not miss your opportunity to be part of ACEN 2022.
Visit www.conference.acen.edu.au to find out more about how to register and/or submit your presentation.
It is the time to reconnect and create, together, the future with WIL.
The ACEN Critical conversations are back!
Dates and topics as follows:
- A framework for managing risks in WIL studentships, 24 February 2022
- Exploring the role of WIL in progressing sustainability, 10 March 2022
- The challenge of inclusive WIL and the consequence of not prioritising it, 27 April 2022
- The impact of COVID-19 on WIL,12 May 2022
WILNZ Webinar Series – Good WIL Dialogue
Previous Webinars
Good WIL Dialogue – WILNZ Webinars 2022
Join us online on Tuesday 15 March 1-2pm for the first of a series of webinars for 2022
The topic : Implementing a University-wide management system for work-integrated learning activities
Facilitated by: Hayley Ferrier-Kerr (University of Waikato)
The University of Waikato has initiated a requirement for all undergraduates to undertake a WIL paper. To help manage this process, we have chosen to implement a student placement management system, which has enabled us to meet our Health & Safety obligations, standardise the processes and communications to our students and partner organisations across the University, and so many more benefits. This webinar outlines the process the University of Waikato took to implement this university-wide initiative, and the successes and challenges along the way.
Exploring the impact of WIL on the mental health of dietetics students: supervisor perspectives
Facilitated by Reena Soniassy-Unkovich (Massey University)
Date: Tuesday 23rd November 2021
Time: 12-1pm (New Zealand time)
Student mental health is a significant and growing concern for universities globally. Increased understanding of the mental health impact of WIL experiences is required by all stakeholders, as well as consideration of how student mental health can be better supported. This presentation will share the findings of a research project on exploring the impact of WIL on the mental health of dietetics students from the perspectives of workplace supervisors, with comparisons drawn between a New Zealand and an Australian university. Sharing experiences, as well as practices and strategies for supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing during WIL experiences, will be the focus of the small group dialogue sessions.
Understanding and managing risks in WIL: A conversation on principles and practices
Facilitated by Associate Professor Kathryn Hay (Massey University) and Dr Jenny Fleming (AUT)
Date: Thursday 21st October 2021
Time: 12-1pm (New Zealand time)
As higher education institutions respond to their duty of care to students, increased understanding of risks associated with their WIL experiences is required by all stakeholders, as well as consideration of how these risks may be appropriately mitigated and managed. This presentation will share the findings of a research project on understanding and managing risk in WIL, from the perspectives of academic and professional staff involved in WIL from eight New Zealand universities. Sharing experiences, as well as practices and strategies for managing risks related to WIL, will be the focus of the small group dialogue sessions.
The first in our series of WILNZ Webinars 2021: Good WIL Dialogue
Indigenous Employability – Facilitated by Dr. Patricia Lucas & Dr. Sally Rae, Auckland University of Technology
Date: Friday 3rd September
Time: 12-1pm (New Zealand time)
This research was conducted by Patricia Lucas, Sally Rae, Robert Hogg, Nicola Anderson and Carolyn Cairncross.
Ngā taonga hunahuna (hidden treasures) identified in WIL
Employability is an ongoing, complex developmental process. Understanding employability for Māori, the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), is an under researched area. It is not clear if employability is culturally influenced, and if it is, how and why this is so. This pilot case study begins the journey of exploring Māori employability in the context of Bachelor of Sport and Recreation (BSR) Māori students, graduates and employers in the industry. We will share our key findings and discuss how they may influence WIL programs in NZ.
The second in our series of WILNZ Webinars 2021: Good WIL Dialogue
Teaching Bi-Cultural Competency in a WIL Course Aukaha kia kaha” : this Kāi Tahu whakataukī means to strengthen the bindings (or connections). In the context of WIL, this phrase emphasises the positive outcomes that come through ensuring strong relationships and collaboration in and outside of the classroom.
Facilitated by Professor : Jeanette King & Clare Murray, University of Canterbury
Date : Tuesday 21st September
Time : 12noon – 1pm (New Zealand Time)
Building bi-cultural competence and confidence is a graduate attribute which the University of Canterbury has been committed to for some time. There are seven kaupapa identified in achieving such attribute which are met through well-articulated Learning Outcomes and related Assessments in each degree course. WIL courses often provide students with more practical opportunities to acquire this attribute – but how do we actually enable and teach our students bi-cultural competence and confidence effectively and authentically?
In this Webinar, we share practical examples from the classroom of what has and what hasn’t worked over the years, with a particular focus upon: (1) adapting the teaching to the class dynamic; (2) eliciting a greater understanding of self-identity in the context of racism and white privilege; and (3) how to share essential work-related tikanga and te reo Māori in a memorable way in a short amount of time.