The McCusker Centre for Citizenship at the University of Western Australia has been recognised as one of five finalists in the Financial Review Higher Education Awards Community Engagement category, presented this week in Sydney.
The McCusker Centre for Citizenship (the Centre) has now partnered with more than 650 not-for-profit, community, local government and public sector hosts in delivery of its flagship Internship Program, which has provided over 4,600 students with opportunities to make meaningful contributions to community-focussed projects while earning academic credit.
National recognition of the Centre in the Financial Review Higher Education Awards (the Awards) follows UWA awards for teaching and learning excellence in 2018 and 2024, a rapid growth in student demand for internship roles, and 97 percent recommendation rates from interns and supervisors who have been involved in the program.
UWA McCusker Chair in Citizenship and Director of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship (the Centre), Michelle Scott OAM, said that the success of the program reflected the motivation of students to learn how they can make a positive difference during their studies, and into the future.
“Our internship program reflects the importance the University of Western Australia places on giving students opportunities to grow as active citizens and put the skills and knowledge they are developing into practice,” said Ms Scott.
“We are seeing many of our interns carrying what they learn about positive social change through our program into employment, volunteering and civic leadership.
“Through our internships and other programs, we aim to increasing connectivity and collaboration between students, the university, industry partners and the community with a view to address contemporary challenges facing our society.”
Image: Michelle Scott OAM, Dr Kate Jutsum and Joanne Somerville, from UWA Medical School, Nicole Austin, operation manager Woodside FutureLab, and Associate Professor Scott Draper, from UWA Oceans Institute and School of Engineering, at the Financial Review Higher Education Awards on 19 August 2025.