These initiatives initiatives were provided for over 1000 Midtown MacPark residents – one of Sydney’s newest urban communities.

The Bachelor of Arts is designed to help students acquire the transferable and critical skills sought after by employers. In the final year capstone unit, students take part in a real-world project that provides an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in entrepreneurship, critical analysis, problem-solving, design thinking and teamwork.

This year, students teamed up with Frasers Property and Mission Australia to pitch community ideas that promote cohesion and liveability in Midtown MacPark – a housing initiative next to Macquarie’s campus. Throughout the semester, students worked with representatives from the two organisations to understand the brief, interview residents and conduct site visits to help develop their ideas. The tutoring team (Kais Al-Momani, Amin Heidari, Emily Rytmeister and Shannon Todd) provided academic and discipline-specific guidance on the project.

On Wednesday 27 December, Frasers and Mission Australia held a screening with residents and showcased five key student presentations to provide inspiration and direction for initiatives that foster cohesion and belonging. Ideas included:

• The Midtown MacPark cookbook.
• Kazek Solutions: culturally inclusive art workshops for parents with young children.
• The Social Spoon: community hub for young adults living/wanting to live independently.
• Communication Access Symbol: accessible and inclusive communication in community spaces.
• Family cooking classes.

“I thoroughly enjoyed this unit and have genuinely learnt so much,” says one student in an email. “Out of all the units I have undertaken throughout my degree, I have found that this one has prepared me best for post-BA.”

Dr Kais Al-Momani, ARTS3500 tutor, shares how the capstone project promotes a practical application of critical skills.

“The Midtown MacPark project not only empowered students to produce high-quality work but  also equipped them with invaluable skills in problem-solving and collaboration which they can use after their BA. The project helps students gain an experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice, fostering a deeper understanding of their study and enhancing their future career readiness.”

Sarah Melody, Community Development Manager at Frasers Property Australia, reflects on the significance of the project for both students and the community.

“Seeing students engage with real-world challenges and bring diverse, interdisciplinary insights and ideas to the table has been inspiring.”

“The students’ exposure to the practical complexities of urban liveability has not only enriched their learning but also contributed meaningful perspectives to our work. We believe this hands-on, student-centred approach is essential for preparing future professionals.”

The opportunity to assist Midtown has given BA students the chance to complete an authentic assessment that combines theory and practice and aligns with key capstone principles and the graduate capabilities outlined in the Faculty of Arts Strategic Plan.

The capstone project received the ‘Learning Innovation’ award at the 2024 Faculty of Arts Awards. The project team consisted of Dr James Mackenzie (course convener), Dr Catherine Fargher (MCCALL), Michael Rampe (Learning and Teaching) and Nick Galea (Education and Employability).

In 2025, students will continue to work closely with Midtown MacPark residents to further understand their needs, build on ideas and support with implementation.