New ways of engaging students

Orientation Week at ACU is one of the busiest weeks experienced by staff from all areas of the university. Each year, we try to find creative ways to encourage new and existing students to visit our stalls so that we can present them with important course/university information. Offering treats, promotional products, and other gadgets is usually the only way we can attract the attention of the students. But is there another way?

This year, ACU Engagement tried a new approach by using the money that would normally be allocated for promotional material for this event and diverting this funding to much needed charities instead.

What did we do? An interactive quiz was designed and delivered via iPads prompting students to think about disadvantage and marginalisation in Australia and how it can impact on communities. There were 413 students who participated across all campuses. Upon completion of the quiz, students were given the opportunity to choose one of three charities to donate $4 for their participation in the quiz.

A total of $1,472 was raised using the interactive quiz - $624 to Vinnies Bushfire Appeal, $436 to Caritas, and $412 to an ACU-affiliated project in the Solomon Islands to assist in the purchasing of much-needed computers.

The interactive quiz was well received across all campuses, and ACU Engagement will continue to use this tool to maximise opportunities to engage with new and future students.