Engaging local students: enhancing retention

The Higher Education Academy (HEA) Learning and Teaching Summit ‘Engaging local students: enhancing retention and success’ took place on 15 and 16 May 2013 at the Park Avenue Hotel Belfast Northern Ireland. The summit brought together influential thought leaders decision makers and key stakeholders including students to provide leadership and stimulate fresh ideas in the area of retention and success of local students in higher education in Northern Ireland.

This report outlines:

• the new research commissioned by the HEA in advance of the summit
• the additional research presented during the two days
• the key reflections and priorities raised by the delegates including the ‘student jurors’
• recommendations for new research and changes to policy and practice
• guiding principles designed to specifically address the key question: ‘how can higher education institutions enhance the retention and success of local students?’
• a set of institutional reflective questions.