The next generation of global citizens, leaders and changemakers

First published at Shaping Australia Awards by Western Sydney University

Academy U, delivered through Western Sydney University’s Future Student Engagement unit, is a four-year program for high potential high school students, designed to empower the next generation of global citizens, leaders and changemakers.  

Working with 15 Western Sydney high schools, Academy U challenges students to embrace sustainability and provides enriched learning opportunities including undertaking a university level subject (leadership in complexity) whilst in high school. Academy U allows Western Sydney University to embrace the core institutional value of integrity by really listening to future students and youths from Western Sydney communities and allowing their perspectives to thrive and be incorporated in the university’s ways of teaching, learning and thinking. Furthermore, the program sees students develop the skills and capabilities to take action and affect positive change across the local and global communities beyond Western Sydney University.  

The program helps school leavers prepare for a successful transition to university and beyond.