Located in Toowoomba Ipswich, Queensland and a student population over 21,000, the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) was looking to revamp its student orientation in 2024. The aim was to house and streamline access of resources for all new student resources through a revamped university orientation program. Needing an adaptable system that worked for their specific student requirements, UniHub emerged as the ideal solution to deliver a comprehensive, 24/7 accessible digital orientation experience. In just three months, with the support of the Symplicity client team, UniSQ was able to revamp their orientation process with UniHub, to provide comprehensive support for all students with over 200 minutes of orientation content all housed in one platform.
Flexible and scalable
Facing the challenge of adapting to a trimester-based academic calendar, introduced 24 orientation periods annually, UniSQ recognized the need for a flexible, scalable platform. According to Liz Cavalli, Orientation and Transition Lead at UniSQ, the move was to ensure student completion orientation wasn’t cumbersome. “One of the challenges that we see quite often from our students is how overloaded they feel by the information that they have during orientation week and even before that,” said Cavalli. “Therefore, requiring access to this information, flexibility, and support was really paramount to us making this an online platform so the students would then be able to work through this at their own pace.” As a result, within the first and second trimester over 1,800 students successfully completed orientation registration form.
This transition was not only about meeting legislative requirements but also about setting a new standard for student engagement and success. “Having the first iteration created in three months, and then being able to continuously build the platform has been a major advantage,” said Cavalli.
Student focused
For UniSQ, UniHub’s ability to tailor the orientation experience to individual students has been paramount. From international students to those connected with military service, the platform offers personalised pathways for all types of students. This personalised approach not only makes students feel seen, but also ensures they have the resources they need to start their academic journey with confidence. The platform’s capability to integrate various resources, such as academic success tips and school-specific requirements, provides a seamless and cohesive orientation experience.
UniSQ’s digital orientation platform also emphasises continuous improvement and adaptability. UniHub’s dynamic structure allows administrators at UniSQ to refine content based on student feedback and evolving needs. “The digital-first approach means students can access the resources at any time, anywhere—via phones, tablets, desktop—however is most convenient to them.” said Cavalli. The ability to integrate insights from various stakeholders, including student representatives and first-year coordinators, ensures the platform remains student-focused.
Additionally, UniHub’s robust reporting capabilities enable UniSQ to analyze engagement metrics, helping identify areas for further enhancement and targeted support.
Integration
A cornerstone of the platform’s success is its integration with other university systems. UniHub serves as a central hub, seamlessly linking with UniSQ’s Learning Management System (LMS) and other services to create a one-stop shop for students. This integration minimises the confusion students often feel when navigating multiple systems, as students don’t really know the difference when they are accessing a resource through the LMS or through UniHub. Embedding the orientation platform within the LMS ensures ongoing accessibility throughout a student’s academic journey, making it a resource they can return to for support, even in their second or third year. This accessibility fosters a stronger connection between students and the university, ensuring they remain engaged and supported throughout their studies.
Student experiences and feedback
UniHub’s user-friendly interface also simplifies event management and participation, a vital aspect of the orientation process. Students can easily register for personalised events, access tailored resources, and track their progress. The bite-sized design of the dashboard ensures students aren’t overwhelmed. With UniHub, students can progress and return at their convenience, which boosts engagement and completion rates. The platform’s event management capabilities, such as booking tools and QR code attendance tracking, streamline the orientation process and provide valuable data for administrators. This not only enhances the student experience but also equips staff with actionable insights to improve future iterations.
Feedback has been instrumental in shaping the platform’s development. Student surveys conducted before and after the orientation process revealed a 53 percent positive shift in confidence levels among participants. These insights are invaluable to UniSQ.
“To have that all in one place was really important to us, and it's been really great. With this as well, this also meant that we would be able to enhance our reporting side of things, which is something that we're really wanting to work on is analysing the data that comes from orientation to further enhance the experience and be able to really get some insight into our students that are coming through,” said Cavalli.
This data-driven approach ensures that no student is left behind and highlights UniSQ’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment. Additionally, collaboration with external stakeholders, such as health partners and banks, has enriched the orientation content, particularly for international students.
Plus, UniSQ’s success with CareerHub helped it win the 2024 University Learning and Teaching Award!
“To have that all in one place was really important to us, and it's been really great. With this as well, this also meant that we would be able to enhance our reporting side of things, which is something that we're really wanting to work on is analysing the data that comes from orientation to further enhance the experience and be able to really get some insight into our students that are coming through."
Liz Cavalli, Orientation and Transition Lead
University of South Queensland
Looking ahead with UniHub
In the future, UniSQ plans to further enhance UniHub’s capabilities, first by automating data collection to reduce manual inputs and focusing on international students’ unique needs. This includes developing resources for everything from setting up student bank accounts, getting private health, their workplace, fair work rights, and all that,” said Cavalli. The goal is to make the transition to Australia as seamless as possible
The integration of UniHub into UniSQ’s orientation program has not only transformed the way the university engages with its students but also set a new benchmark for what digital orientation can achieve.
This transformation underscores UniSQ’s commitment to empowering its students, ensuring they not only begin their academic journey on the right foot but thrive throughout their time at the university. By leveraging UniHub’s full potential, UniSQ has created a robust orientation program that meets the needs of its diverse student body while setting the stage for long-term success.
Watch the full webinar presentation on UniSQ's success with UniHub, below.