Enhancing Student Transition and Progression
The aim of this SIG is to bring together colleagues from across the College to facilitate the sharing of good practice, resources and innovative ideas for supporting student transition and progression. It will consider transition and progression in the broad sense from school to university, across years, into post-graduate studies, and into employment. These different domains of transition will allow this SIG to have a wider appeal to different stakeholders in the Imperial community.
Transition into higher education degrees, whether UG or PG, is a time of challenge for students and encompassing many areas such as academic and social integration, transferable skills development (including academic, technical and metacognition), student identity, disciplinary and professional identity. This SIG aims to create a forum where colleagues from diverse groups, including teachers, under/postgraduate liaison officers, academic support units, graduate school, careers service and the student union, can collectively contribute to a dialogue around transitions. We aim to bridge knowledge gaps by utilising institutional expertise to assist departments and others in promoting and supporting transition-related activities and initiatives. To address the multifaceted nature of transition and progression, each SIG meeting will focus on a specific theme, such as admissions, skills development, induction and continuing support for the undergraduate academic journey, supporting Imperial and non-Imperial postgraduate transitions, etc. We recognise the importance for in-depth discussions and propose a meeting format that includes panel discussions, presentations from different departments and services, and World Café-style engagement to encourage diverse perspectives. Such diverse formats will allow for a more thorough exploration of ideas and practices, fostering an environment where good practices can be shared and adapted.
If you are interested in joining this SIG, please contact the facilitators: Tiffany Chiu, Magda Charalambous, Jackie Bell and/or Jon Fenton.
Meeting history
13 February 2024
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
12.00 – Introduction and Mentimeter question: ‘What transition and progression issues are relevant in your practice/context?’
12.15 – Presentation by Andreea Cojocea (Deputy President, Welfare) and Yi Yang (Deputy President, Education) from the Student Union. Followed by Q+A.
13.00 – Small group discussion and joint discussion on ‘How have the SU presentations informed or challenged your thinking about student transition and progression?’
13.25 – SIG wrap-up
Summary
The Enhancing Student Transition and Progression SIG Launch meeting featured insights from the Student Union’s perspectives. Members shared issues and thoughts on student transition and progression and recognised the importance of fostering a platform where practices and resources can be shared and adapted. Discussions also highlighted the need for creating opportunities that enable students to succeed once they arrive at Imperial (where traditionally much of our focus has been on improving ‘access’). Members are also encouraged to use the SIG Teams space to continue sharing thoughts, resources and connecting with each other.
9 May 2024
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
12:00 - Lunch and Networking
12:15 - Presentation and Q&A: 'Faculty of Engineering New Starter's Programme for WP Students', by Dr Jackie Bell (Project Lead), Department of Computing, and Mohammed Tayyab Khalid, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
12:45 - Presentation 'Supporting the Transition of Masters' Students into their PhD Programme', by Dr Helal Ahmed, Graduate School
13:15 - Networking
Summary
Wraparound support for undergraduate and postgraduate students was discussed, following presentations by Jackie Bell and Helal Ahmed showcasing current support for undergraduate widening participation students in the Faculty of Engineering and postgraduate taught students embarking on PhD study at Imperial, led by the Graduate School. An interactive discussion followed each presentation, linking ideas with Imperial’s new Access and Participation Plan (APP) and further collaborative projects between departments and faculties.