AHEGS Recognised Co-curricular activities

Co-curricular participation recognition

Get recognised for your involvement in a wide range of activities while studying at Macquarie.

History

Since 2010, Macquarie University has issued its graduates with an Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) to distinguish them as local and global citizens.

In April 2018, the AHEGS was enhanced to include Additional Achievements under Section 4, providing for the formal recognition of student’s involvement in a range of approved co-curricular activities.

These co-curricular activities have contributed to the development of graduates’ skills and capabilities and relate to their award. They are assessed by the established AHEGS Steering Committee.

A list of approved co-curricular activities is provided below.

Student leadership and representation

Student members contribute the student voice to the University’s governance by bringing student perspectives to decision-making across academic and corporate bodies. Representation occurs at multiple levels, including Academic Senate and its committees, Faculty Boards, and University Council, with members appointed or elected in line with eligibility requirements relevant to each body.

The SRC consists of representatives that are student elected and appointed. Whatever student background you have, the SRC is designed to ensure that your voice is heard.

Criteria

Membership for over 12 months
Membership in and participation with a subcommittee
Engagement at meetings (participation in discussions, submission of agenda items)
Engagement with SRC activities (eg. being on the SRC's O-Week stall, participating in forums with student groups, etc.)

Enquiries contact: srcsecretariat@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of April 2018. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Student members on Faculty Boards are elected and must meet eligibility criteria based on their enrolment status during their term in office. There are two undergraduate or postgraduate students on each Faculty Board.

Criteria

Student members are expected to regularly attend Faculty Board meetings and set aside time to review the agenda papers prior to meetings. This is interpreted as at least two-thirds of the total number of Faculty Board meetings (which range from 6 to 9) and committing 2-3 hours prior to each meeting to read the agenda papers.

Enquiries contact: megan.kemmis@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of S1 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Student members on Academic Senate are elected to membership to be the student voice on Senate and bring students’ perspectives to the issues discussed and decided by Senate.

Academic Senate Education Committee (ASEC)

Student members on the Academic Senate Education Committee (ASEC) are appointed to membership to be the student voice on the Committee and bring students’ perspectives to the issues discussed and decided by Committee. In the case of ASEC, student membership is usually drawn from students enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate coursework courses.

Academic Senate Research Committee (ASRC)

Student members on the Academic Senate Research Committee (ASRC) are appointed to membership to be the student voice on the Committee and bring students’ perspectives to the issues discussed and decided by Committee. In the case of ASRC, student membership is restricted to students currently enrolled in an HDR course.

Academic Senate Curriculum Subcommittee (ACSC)

Student members on the Academic Senate Curriculum Subcommittee (ASCS) are appointed to membership to be the student voice on the Committee and bring students’ perspectives to the issues discussed and decided by Committee. In the case of ASCS, student membership is usually drawn from students enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate coursework courses.>

Criteria

Student members are expected to regularly attend meetings and set aside time to review the agenda papers prior to meetings. This is interpreted as at least 4 out of the 5 meetings and committing 2-3 hours prior to each meeting to read the agenda papers. Student members are encouraged to ask questions, participate in requirements, such as attending meetings, training sessions, or minimum hours of participation. discussions at meeting and raise issues on behalf of other students.

Enquiries contact: megan.kemmis@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of S1 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Student Members represent the student voice on the College Board, providing valuable insights and perspectives to the issues discussed by the Board and the operation of Macquarie University College as a whole.

Criteria

Student Members are expected to regularly attend Board meetings, held at the conclusion of each Term. Five meetings occur each year, and student members must review all proposals prior to each meeting (a commitment of 1 to 2 hours), vote on their
approval/endorsement, and report to the Board on matters important to the student body.

Enquiries contact: mqc.governance@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of S1 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

The student member is elected to membership to be the student voice on Council and to bring students’ perspectives to the issues discussed and decided by Council.

Criteria

Student members are expected to regularly attend meetings and allocate sufficient time to review agenda papers in advance. This is generally interpreted as attending at least four out of six scheduled meetings and committing approximately two to three hours prior to each meeting to read agenda materials. Student members are encouraged to actively participate by asking questions, contributing to discussions, attending any required training sessions, and raising issues on behalf of the broader student community.

Enquiries contact: megan.kemmis@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of S1 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Student Executives who are registered as Authorised Representatives act as the liaisons between the Student Group and the University. These roles are equivalent to President, Secretary, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, and Treasurer.

Criteria

You must have:

held the role a full calendar year (1 January – 31 December) in an Executive role
- the Student Group must remain affiliated for the full duration of that tenure.
completed at least four (4) Student Engagement–nominated development workshops.
This must include:
- two Macquarie-led workshops
- two externally-led workshops
- the required Responding to Disclosures training (depending on the format you attend, it may count as either a Macquarie-led or an externally-led workshop)
submitted your group’s End-of-Year Activity Report, including:
- President’s Report
- Secretary’s Report
- Diversity and Inclusion Officer's Report
- Treasurer’s Report, incl. Financial Statement

Enquiries contact:studentgroups@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of January 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Peer Support and Mentoring

The Buddy Program is a peer network providing support to students to assist their transition into university life. It aims to deliver ongoing social support to students through peer relationships and social activities on and off campus, assisting students with the transition to their new life at Macquarie University. Buddies welcome new international students to Macquarie University, wider Sydney, and Australia, and help cultivate a sense of belonging and community within Macquarie University. They deliver ongoing social support to new students and share information about various university services and supports that are available to students.

Your recognition will differ based on the following two criteria:

MQ Buddy

Buddies are expected to participate in the program throughout the whole session and must attend in-person events throughout session. Buddies must undertake at least 20 hours of activity per session and attend compulsory events such as start of session training days.

Buddies have been approved to be recognised for recognition as of January 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this date

MQ Buddy Team Leader

Buddy Team Leaders are expected to participate in the program throughout the whole session and must attend in-person events such as trainings, day trips, and on-campus events. Buddy Team Leaders must undertake at least 40 hours of activity per session and attend compulsory events such as start of session training days.

Buddy Team Leader has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of April 2018. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Enquiries contact: buddies@mq.edu.au

The Lucy Mentoring Program connects female and gender diverse students in the Macquarie Business School and Faculty of Science and Engineering, with industry professionals in a structured mentoring relationship to support career development, confidence, and employability. Over six months, students engage in:

professional goal setting
networking
and skills development through one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and events.

The program empowers students to explore career pathways, enhance communication and job-readiness skills, and build lasting industry connections. It fosters a supportive environment that champions diversity and leadership, preparing students to transition confidently from university to the workplace.

Criteria

Students are expected to commit to approximately 20 hours over a 6-month period over May to October (generally, the specific dates may change) in addition to their regular studies. This includes:

attending a mentee onboarding session
a minimum of 20 hours of mentoring sessions (in-person or online)
a mid-program networking session
an end-of-program celebration, and
at least three professional development workshops.

Students are also encouraged to engage in self-directed activities such as goal- setting, preparing questions, and reflecting on feedback. Active participation, timely communication with their mentor, and a final reflection survey are required to successfully complete the program.

Further information, including event dates.

Enquiries contact: lucymentoringprogram@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of S1 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Students join a six-week Alumni Mentoring Program and are matched one-to-one with Macquarie graduates. Following a two hour orientation, mentees complete a tailored online module (3–15 h), meet their mentor for at least five hours across the program, and join networking events. Using tools like the GROW model, they set goals, explore career paths, and log progress in MS Teams. The experience helps students clarify options, build confidence, and articulate their strengths while expanding professional networks.

Criteria

Total time: 14–26 h over six weeks.

Completion criteria

Attended orientation
Logged ≥ 5 h mentor meetings
Completed mandatory iLearn module(s)
Attended ≥ 1 networking event
Submitted final reflection form in Teams

Enquiries contact: katie.forsyth@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of S1 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

Academic enrichment and professional development

The School of Education Merit Scholar scheme is a competitive entry scheme offering some of our highest performing students extra-curricular workshops with educational experts, research seminars, and leadership opportunities. School of Education Merit Scholar with Research Internship The School of Education Merit Scholar scheme is a competitive entry scheme offering some of our highest performing students extra-curricular workshops with educational experts, research seminars, and leadership opportunities. Scholars who have completed a research internship have also spent a session of study working collaboratively with an academic on an educational research project.

Criteria

To have the activity recorded on their AHEGS statement, students must participate actively for at least one semester. Students are encouraged to participate in an internship in one semester (typically 2nd or 3rd year) Frequency and time commitment per semester: - 1 hour per week in non-internship semesters, excluding professional experience (10 hours total commitment) - 2-3 hours per week if electing to complete an internship semester (39 hours total commitment) Duration of involvement - Minimum of one semester required for AHEGS recognition. - Many scholars remain engaged with their cohort until graduation. Level of engagement required - Non-internship: Active participation in seminars and workshops (e.g., Tuesday@1), asking questions, contributing to discussions, and evaluating presented research. - Internship: In addition to seminars, students work collaboratively with a project coordinator/academic, contribute to research activities, and present or report on their project outcomes. Specific requirements -Attendance at scheduled seminars and workshops. -Completion of short reflections on learning outcomes. -For internship students: sustained involvement in a research project, including data collection/analysis or other assigned tasks, and presenting findings to peers or academics.

Enquiries contact: hye-eun.chu@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of August 2021. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

The Graduate Research Development Programs offer graduate researchers the opportunity to complete one of four structured development streams focused on

entrepreneurship
industry engagement
research leadership, or
teaching.

Each stream provides a staged pathway that supports capability building beyond disciplinary research, progressing from early exploration and skills development through to advanced application and professional impact. Through a combination of workshops, mentoring, practical experience, and reflective practice, the programs support career readiness, research translation, and the development of professional skills aligned to diverse career pathways.

Entrepreneurship skill development

This program supports graduate researchers to turn research into innovative and commercially viable ventures. Students develop skills in innovation, intellectual property, business models, and entrepreneurship through workshops, accelerators, and applied training. Advanced activities focus on pitching, patent pathways, funding strategies, and global entrepreneurship opportunities, equipping students to create real-world impact from their research.

Industry skill development

This program helps graduate researchers build industry-relevant skills and apply research expertise in professional contexts. Through industry-aligned training, bootcamps, internships, and skills development activities, students enhance communication, strategic, and technical capabilities. The program focuses on delivering practical outcomes, strengthening professional networks, and improving career readiness beyond academia.

Research leadership skill development

This program develops the skills required for research leadership and academic success. Students build expertise in publishing, academic writing, peer review, and research visibility through workshops, mentoring, and conference engagement. Advanced focus areas include high-impact publishing, grant applications, and research profiling to strengthen scholarly impact and professional standing.

Teaching skill development

This program supports graduate researchers to develop effective and reflective university teaching practice. Students gain experience through tutoring, guest lecturing, and engagement with teaching networks, supported by professional learning and mentoring. The program culminates in leadership and recognition activities, including unit design, teaching portfolios, and teaching awards.

Criteria

To successfully complete a Graduate Researcher Development Program stream, students must:

Complete all mandatory Graduate Researcher activities, including Induction, Confirmation of Candidature (CoC), and Annual Progress Review (APR).
Complete a minimum of 20 hours of activities from their chosen skill development stream, as stipulated in the Graduate Researcher Development Program.
Complete a minimum of 6 hours of career development activities.
Submit a written reflection on five (5) relevant skill development activities.

Enquiries contact: gr.development@mq.edu.au

The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers three dedicated streams to support PhD students throughout their candidature. The Entrepreneurial Stream is designed to equip graduates with the training, skills, and practical experience needed to commercialise the outcomes of their PhD research, either through licensing agreements or the creation of a start-up company. Key components include:

workshops on entrepreneurial fundamentals
case studies and guest lectures
networking sessions
mentoring opportunities
internships with successful start-ups, and
final pitching sessions to prepare for incubation programs.

Criteria

Complete mandatory Graduate Researcher activities (Induction, CoC, APR).
Attend a mandatory induction session – 2 hours.
Attend a series of workshops on entrepreneurial fundamentals and complete corresponding assessment tasks – 50 hours.
Attend networking sessions to meet entrepreneurs and to establish mentoring relationships – 6 hours.
Attend guest lectures and join discussions with guest speakers – 18 hours.
Attend regular mentoring meetings with a dedicated mentor – 20 hours.
Complete a short-term internship at a start-up company – about 70 hours.
Attend and present at a pitching session – 2 hours.

Enquiries contact: alex.fuerbach@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of January 2026. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.

As a member of the Grapeshot editorial team, responsibilities include sourcing editorial content, delegating duties to other members, and ensuring that content is fair and representative of the student body. The student publication is run entirely by students for students.

Criteria

Hold a position on the Editorial, Marketing or Creative team for at least 12 months, and contribute to at least 80% of issues/editions produced during the term.

Enquiries contact: kamil.zielinski@mq.edu.au

This activity has been approved to be recognised on AHEGS as of April 2018. No retrospective recognition will be made prior to this approval date.