Children's University expands into the South West in 2024.
Kian Milner-Jutten was in grade 1 at Swan View Primary School when he commenced university, Children's University.
"Doing the activities in this program was very interesting, as it didn't matter what was being done or what place we were visiting, there was always something new that could be learnt," Kian explained.
"It was always interesting visiting new places because you could explore and investigate for as long as you wanted and not be limited by time, unlike when you are at school."
Children's University (CU) is a program which offers an out of school opportunity for children to take part in extracurricular learning, travel and to develop valuable life skills.
"I've had lots of fun doing different things with my mum, especially cooking, I loved making and trying new foods."
Kian, like the 1000 other WA graduates who've gone through Edith Cowan University's (ECU) Children's University, has explored exciting locations and landmarks, like Perth Zoo, Caversham Wildlife Park, Kings Park, museums, WA beaches, orchards, countless libraries, and the soon-to-be home of Edith Cowan University's new campus – Perth CBD.
Kian even travelled abroad, to the UK.
"One of my favourite places that I visited was England, that is where I was born, it was good to experience the differences between the two countries, weather, temperatures, beaches, everything."
ECU Children's University is a program open to WA primary school children, specifically from disadvantaged or lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Learning achievements are celebrated each year at special graduation ceremonies held at ECU Joondalup campus.
Over 1000 graduates have emerged from ECU's Children's University since 2017.
It has seen primary school aged children dedicate over 64,500 hours to extracurricular learning.
"I personally will never forget the surprise on Kian's face each year when he first hears the total amount of hours he has completed and how proud I am of him each year," Lucy Milner, Kian's mother said.
Vice Chancellor of the Children's University WA Partnership and former Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit, said the Children's University, which also operates in England, South Africa and the US is a program that uses education at a young age to change lives for the future.
"I believe the potential impact of the Children's University program is enormous. Facilitating educational opportunities is the best investment that any organisation can make," Mr Pettit said.
Student-led learning
Children's University's unique approach supports students to take the lead in their own learning.
"The program is child-led, and we encourage students to choose activities and subjects they may never have thought of before," ECU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Regional Futures) Professor Cobie Rudd said.
"Just like university, the learning opportunities are not limited to a classroom, it offers real world, hands-on experiences.
"There's everything from museums and galleries right through to festivals, art studios and even climbing centres," she explained.
While students are encouraged to have fun, the activities link in some way to a course that can be studied through higher education.
Changing young lives for a better future
Established in 2017 by Edith Cowan University (ECU) and further strengthened through the Children's University Western Australia Partnership (CUWAP) with the University of Western Australia since 2020, the program has been reached over 2900 children, from 40 Western Australian schools.
The CUWAP collaborates with 99 community and cultural organisations, including zoos, museums, galleries, sports clubs, councils, and libraries, to provide a rich tapestry of extracurricular learning experiences.
Children's University expands in the South West
ECU is inviting school students in the South West to embark on their transformative educational journey.
"We want to see this program to children in our regional and remote areas in the future and that's why we are inviting students from the South West region to enrol for 2024 and beyond," Professor Cobie Rudd said.
And from the parent of a Children's University graduate, a single message.
"It is rewarding. It is enjoyable. You will have fun," Lucy Milner said.
"There are so many activities that you can do with your child that they can learn from, cooking, reading, arts and crafts, science experiments, after school clubs, sports, the portal, the list is endless."
For more information, please visit the ECU Children's University website or connect email childrensuniversity@ecu.edu.au
This internationally acclaimed initiative, spearheaded by Children's University Australasia & Africa Indian Ocean (CUA), has been a beacon of inspiration in fostering learning excellence since its inception in 1993.
