An organisation that helps disadvantaged students undertake higher education is disappointed with the low turnout at a recent university information night held in Dubbo but denies claims on social media that "not a single person turned up".
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The November 24 event was part of the Bridges to Higher Education program, a $21.2 million initiative funded by the federal government, aimed to boost the number of students from low socio-economic backgrounds, Aboriginal students and those from rural and remote areas in higher education.
Postings on social media suggested "not a single person turned up", the organisers had "brought lecturers and professors out on the clock from Sydney" and it had been "really awkward for all the lecturers etc who drove for six hours to get there".
Bridges to Higher Education Rural and remote Project Group chair Ruth Tregale said 17 people who became aware of the event via organisers attended, about half of whom would have been parents of prospective students.
"While we were obviously disappointed at the low turnout, though not unduly surprised given the 44-degree heat and imminent storm warnings, for us the evening was thoroughly worthwhile, providing an opportunity for more in-depth discussion with the parents and local community partners who attended," she said.
"It wasn't a recruitment exercise for the individual universities, rather, this was aimed at parents and was a collaboration of unis raising awareness about the various higher education opportunities that are on offer.
"For many people there isn't a university in their area so this allows them to ask questions about what it means for their children to go away to uni, what the transition is like and what support is available.
"We set up tables and had some fabulous discussion about things such as course choices and accommodation."
Ms Tregale said the person who had posted the comments online had not attended the event.
"No lecturers or professors travelled out from Sydney," she said.
"Instead, the evening was presented by four schools engagement staff whose core business it is to do this kind of work, and two of those were already in Dubbo at the time with other projects.
"We also did not receive a special federal government grant for this event, but it is part of the ongoing work of the Bridges to Higher Education consortium of five Sydney-based universities that aims to equip students, their families, school staff and community groups with tools and information so school leavers and others can make informed decisions about their future."
Ms Tregale said similar events run in venues such as Broken Hill (which attracted about 45 people), Lismore, Goulburn and the Central Coast had been "very successful".
Meanwhile, last week's Dubbo information night was just one of many events held each year that had helped hundreds pursue university pathways, Ms Tregale said.
Other events included outreach events in Aboriginal communities and last week's visit to Dubbo College Senior Campus by representatives from the University of Sydney's Compass program, which aimed to address the low proportion of disadvantaged students who undertake higher education.