Inaugural research into the experience of postgraduate students at the University of Tasmania has shown many postgraduates have a poor relationship with the Tasmanian University Union.
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The TUU’s postgraduate president Joey Crawford conducted the research to take the temperature of students, with more than 300 postgraduate students taking the survey.
One statistic the research uncovered was only 18 per cent of postgraduates reporting they would be likely to recommend UTAS to friends, despite 64 per cent indicating they are satisfied with their experience and 13.39 per cent very satisfied.
Mr Crawford said the research showed most postgraduates had a positive experience at university, but due to the office-bound nature of postgraduate research work, were less likely to be actively involved in university communities.
Mr Crawford said there were differences in the requirements of postgraduate and undergraduate students for the union, with postgraduates wanting networking and career support more than undergraduates.
“The University needs to address their current bias towards undergraduates, and more carefully consider the diversity of experience in postgraduates and research candidates,” he said.
The organisation’s current student experience strategy treats the experience of postgraduates and undergraduates as largely synonymous.”
UTAS Deptuty Vice Chancellor Brigid Heywood said the report offered a fresh perspective on the postgraduate experience.
“The University will work more closely with the TUU postgraduate council to build a stronger culture of support and engagement with our rapidly growing postgraduate community,” she said.
