The Challenge: Creating an Authentic Experience to Stay Competitive in Australia

In Australia's fiercely competitive higher education market, standing out is a constant challenge for universities. Faced with competition from institutions that have already established their credibility, along with numerous other schools vying for the attention of prospective students, the University of Canberra recognized the need to differentiate itself not just through academic excellence, but by offering something more—a unique and compelling student experience.

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As a relatively young but rapidly growing institution, the University of Canberra has already made significant strides in education, research, and community engagement. Known for its practical, student-focused approach, the university has built a strong reputation for producing work-ready graduates who excel in their fields.

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To further establish an authentic competitive advantage, the university is in need of enhancing the student journey from the very beginning. They understood that facilitating the best possible experience for offer holders, even before they set foot on campus, could make all the difference in attracting and retaining students. This approach was centered on building a sense of community and belonging early on, ensuring that students feel supported, connected, and excited about their decision to join the university.

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However, delivering this enhanced experience posed significant challenges. The university needed a solution that could add an additional social layer to the student experience—something beyond what traditional recruitment and orientation processes could offer. They sought a scalable way to help students form genuine friendships and connections, creating a strong support network even before classes began, all while managing resources efficiently.

Why Goin’ Was The Perfect Solution For Canberra

The University of Canberra recognized that to truly stand out in the competitive higher education landscape, they needed a solution that could offer more than just academic support. Goin’ was identified as the perfect platform to achieve this. The platform’s advanced capabilities were a major draw for the staff, offering tools for tracking activation, boosting engagement with prospective students, and moderating conversations with ease. This allowed the university to shift its focus from simply attracting students to ensuring they were a good fit and felt supported from the start, while enabling the staff to step back and let the community flourish organically.

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With Goin’, the University of Canberra was able to facilitate connections and engagement among prospective students through a variety of innovative features. The Discovery Module provided practical preparation tools, helping students get oriented and feel as if they had already stepped foot on campus. Advanced matchmaking capabilities allowed students to connect with peers who shared similar interests and academic goals, while group features enabled collaboration on relevant topics and hobbies. To keep the experience engaging, Goin’ incorporated gamification elements, making the process of building connections and preparing fun and exciting.

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These features not only enriched the student experience but also provided the university with valuable insights into what prospective students were looking for. The platform allowed the University of Canberra to prioritize quality in its student engagement efforts, ensuring that students felt connected, supported, and excited about joining the Canberra community.

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The Results: 89% Boost in Prospect Engagement Within the Student Community

The impact of Goin' on the University of Canberra was significant. The platform created a vibrant online community where students could engage, share, and support each other even before they arrived on campus. By the end of the first cycle, the university saw a remarkable increase in student engagement, with 89% of students reporting an improved experience leading up to their arrival. On average, prospective students built a network of 12 friends from 30 different countries, representing nearly 40% of the university’s study programs.

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With the success of their inaugural community, the University of Canberra is excited to extend its use beyond international students, incorporating domestic students as well. This decision aims to further boost integration and engagement among prospects and locals, creating a more cohesive and inclusive student community.

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“If all students could join here, we could make a big community to help each other! I’ve already met some friends too!” - Ugyen from Bhutan

“I was actually very surprised when I got the email because I was thinking about how I need to start making friends and connect to people more. That I have to push myself to open up, more because of my social anxiety. So it's nice to have a platform specifically tailored to connecting students.” - Esha from the UK

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The sentiment analysis provided by Goin' offered the university valuable insights into student needs and concerns, enabling them to tailor their support services more effectively. This not only improved the overall student experience but also contributed to higher retention rates, as students who felt connected and supported were more likely to stay and thrive at the university.

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Building Your Community For Better Results

The University of Canberra's experience with Goin' demonstrates the power of a well-crafted student engagement platform. With Goin’ facilitating engagement throughout the prospective student journey, the University of Canberra is set for success in their upscaling efforts, offering a unique approach to supporting prospective students and staying competitive in today’s higher education market.

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If you’re looking to enhance your university’s student experience, improve retention rates, and build a connected community from day one, Goin’ could be the solution you’ve been searching for. Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can help you achieve similar results. Let's start building your community together!