What is the Melbourne Student Forum?
The Melbourne Student Forum is an exciting way for a diverse group of 100 students to improve the student experience by contributing their ideas and reflecting on their own experiences at the University. The Forum is held twice a semester to provide interactive opportunities for Student Delegates to contribute to future-focused issues at the University-wide level.
Why should I be a part of it?
The Melbourne Student Forum taught me the importance of collaboration, empathy, and compromise when working towards common goals. It reinforced the idea that a diverse community of students brings unique strengths and perspectives, and it's our collective responsibility to find equilibrium in giving recommendations that benefit everyone. This experience has shaped me into a more conscientious and empathetic member of the student community, dedicated to creating a better educational environment for all.
— Student Delegate, Melbourne Student Forum
Student Delegates will gain valuable professional skills and help shape the student experience for future generations. As a Student Delegate of the Melbourne Student Forum, you will be a part of a diverse group of 100 students, enhancing your leadership skills and collaborating with fellow students and University staff members.
The Forum welcomes current coursework students from all backgrounds, degrees and levels of experience. Do you like getting involved outside of the classroom? Or do you prefer to take a back seat? Whatever your University experience has been to date, we genuinely want to hear from you! Every student has different experiences, ideas and expectations. Student Delegates with all levels of experience are welcomed and valued.
You have the power to create lasting impact and enhance the student experience for your peers and future generations.
As a Student Delegate, you will receive:
- Training to enhance your collaborations and communication skills
- A Letter of Recognition from the University
- A University of Melbourne lapel pin.
You will also be eligible for a Melbourne Plus Community Engagement digital credential.
What happens at each Forum?
At each Forum, Student Delegates participate in table discussions with other students, contribute to digital forms of engagement, hear from interesting speakers and brainstorm recommendations on topics relevant to their student experience.
Previous topics have included discussions on issues such as
- Student wellbeing
- Academic integrity
- Teaching quality
- Career readiness.
Each semester student delegates can suggest new topics and vote on what they would like to discuss next as a Forum. After each Forum, student recommendations are shared with relevant staff teams and student unions to inform enhancements to the student experience. For example, the set of student recommendations on academic integrity directly informed the development of new academic integrity resources for staff. Student recommendations from the Forum on teaching quality were a key mechanism for student input into a Framework for Educational Excellence, which will be a common frame of reference for teaching quality and impact at the University.
How do I get involved?
Student Delegates are recruited at the start of each year, with a smaller recruitment round also opening mid-year.
Expressions of interest for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed.
Dates and more information
Once selected, you will be invited to attend a training session to learn more about the program and meet other student delegates. If you cannot attend the training session, an alternative option can be arranged.
You only need to attend one training session. The training sessions will be held at Parkville campus on:
- Tuesday 12 March 2024, 12pm–2pm
- Thursday 14 March 2024, 12pm–2pm
Two Forums will be held in-person in Semester 1 at the Parkville campus on:
- Tuesday 19 March 2024, 11am–2pm
- Tuesday 9 April 2024, 11am–2pm
Food is provided at the training and Forums.
If you have any questions, please contact student-forum@unimelb.edu.au.