Next Generation Learning & Skills category
Griffith University’s Community Internship course is a cross-disciplinary, inclusive learning experience that enables students to undertake real-world volunteering with not-for-profit organisations while embedding sustainability, social justice, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into academic learning. Each year, over 300 students complete at least 50 hours (undergraduate) or 80 hours (postgraduate) of service across a diverse range of sectors, including aged care and disability support, community development and social services, environmental conservation, health and human services, legal and government sectors, youth work and education, media and communications, and food security.
The course is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students regardless of GPA, and includes remote, hybrid, and flexible placement models to ensure accessibility. Supported by more than 300 community partners, the initiative builds employability, cultural competence, and ethical leadership while addressing community needs. It is a flagship program within Griffith’s Social Impact suite and a scalable model for values-driven work-integrated learning in higher education.
Impacts and Social Benefits
- Over 1,600 students since 2021 have contributed thousands of service hours to under-resourced organisations, enhancing community service delivery and social resilience.
- The program builds future-ready skills including leadership, critical reflection, communication, and ethical decision-making in diverse, real-world contexts.
- It fosters lasting community-university partnerships, catalyses student-led social impact initiatives, and contributes to students’ confidence, mental wellbeing, and career pathways.
Leadership and Engagement
- The initiative is coordinated by a multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional staff, supported by Griffith’s Careers, Equity, and Disability Services teams.
- More than 300 not-for-profit and public sector organisations across Australia and internationally provide placements, mentoring, and resources, co-creating meaningful learning experiences.
- The model supports reconciliation and social justice through placements with First Peoples organisations and tailored accessibility support for diverse student cohorts.
Wider Societal Impact
- Promotes active citizenship and intercultural understanding through service learning with refugee, Indigenous, and environmental organisations.
- Enhances social capital and sector capacity by embedding student volunteers into community organisations that address systemic disadvantage.
- Prepares graduates to lead social and environmental change across sectors by integrating the SDGs into practice-based education.
Top 3 learnings
Supported by
Category finalists
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills category
Griffith University’s Community Internship course is a cross-disciplinary, inclusive learning experience that enables students to undertake real-world volunteering with not-for-profit organisations while embedding sustainability, social justice, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into academic learning. Each year, over 300 students complete at least 50 hours (undergraduate) or 80 hours (postgraduate) of service across a diverse range of sectors, including aged care and disability support, community development and social services, environmental conservation, health and human services, legal and government sectors, youth work and education, media and communications, and food security.
The course is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students regardless of GPA, and includes remote, hybrid, and flexible placement models to ensure accessibility. Supported by more than 300 community partners, the initiative builds employability, cultural competence, and ethical leadership while addressing community needs. It is a flagship program within Griffith’s Social Impact suite and a scalable model for values-driven work-integrated learning in higher education.
Top 3 learnings
Impacts and Social Benefits
- Over 1,600 students since 2021 have contributed thousands of service hours to under-resourced organisations, enhancing community service delivery and social resilience.
- The program builds future-ready skills including leadership, critical reflection, communication, and ethical decision-making in diverse, real-world contexts.
- It fosters lasting community-university partnerships, catalyses student-led social impact initiatives, and contributes to students’ confidence, mental wellbeing, and career pathways.
Leadership and Engagement
- The initiative is coordinated by a multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional staff, supported by Griffith’s Careers, Equity, and Disability Services teams.
- More than 300 not-for-profit and public sector organisations across Australia and internationally provide placements, mentoring, and resources, co-creating meaningful learning experiences.
- The model supports reconciliation and social justice through placements with First Peoples organisations and tailored accessibility support for diverse student cohorts.
Wider Societal Impact
- Promotes active citizenship and intercultural understanding through service learning with refugee, Indigenous, and environmental organisations.
- Enhances social capital and sector capacity by embedding student volunteers into community organisations that address systemic disadvantage.
- Prepares graduates to lead social and environmental change across sectors by integrating the SDGs into practice-based education.
Supported by
Category finalists
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
Next Generation Learning & Skills
