The session will be held at Wauchope Country Club from 5.15pm.

The roadshow is an initiative out of Macquarie’s LEAP (Learning, Education, Aspiration, Participation) program, which aims to raise aspirations, create possibilities and actively support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully participate in higher education.

The team of 15, including Macquarie’s Interim Pro Vice Chancellor, Programs and Pathways, Professor Sean Brawley, will visit Wauchope, Kempsey and Taree in order to host daytime sessions for high school students, and after-hours parent forums.

Local students, their families, and interested community members will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the University, its study options, and additional offerings such as overseas exchange.

There will also be a variety of interactive activities on site from a range of disciplines including robotics, a workshop with The Big History Institute, a social entrepreneurship session, a counter-terrorism role play exercise and more.

Professor Brawley said the roadshow will address inequality that exists for regionally-based students, due to their limited access to University campuses in order to demystify what university is about and the potential it can hold.

“We know that having contact with and visiting a university can influence a young person’s decision to pursue further education. Because this is not a simple outing for students in regional and rural communities, we are bringing Macquarie University to the bush,” said Professor Brawley.

“It is particularly important that both parents and students understand that ATAR is not the only pathway into university.

“For example at Macquarie we have a range of admission pathways, which might be of interest to students who had previously not considered university as an option for them. We are coming to town to answer your questions – please come and ask them.”