The University of Western Australia has graduated its first cohort of students from the Doctor of Optometry program, which commenced in 2021.
The achievements of 40 students were celebrated in December with Foundation Head Professor Garry Fitzpatrick commenting on the “fantastic sight” of the graduands “in our colours receiving their Award – it was tremendous”.
Forty-nine students originally enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry program and 40 students successfully completed it, a statistic that Prof Fitzpatrick described as not surprising, given this was the first time the degree was offered at UWA.
“You would expect 90% completions in the first year of any course – but a few less in the first year that a course is offered because there is no prior information about course content, style etc. that students can draw on when deciding whether or not to enrol.”
As indicated, the numbers are already on the rise. Assuming all pass, 58 students will graduate from UWA with a Doctor of Optometry in December this year.
The School has experienced significant change during its first three years of teaching, moving premises twice to finally arrive at a “beautiful purpose-built facility” with lecture theatres, pre-clinical skills labs and a public clinic in June 2023. Additionally, the school has taken on some impressive leaders, among them Sophia Gerritsma, Zahra Tajbakhsh, and Eden Kwok, and commenced a hub and spoke placements program that sees students gaining hands-on experience in metro areas as well as in some of the State’s most remote communities.
“Taking in and teaching the first cohort in a course is always stressful – you’re developing the teaching program, the placements, and the facilities, building a team, and working towards accreditation. I really respect my team for pulling this together so well – we have learned a lot along the way and we are incredibly proud of the academic, industry and clinical experiences we are able to offer our students,” Prof Fitzpatrick said. Acknowledging the optometric industry he said, “We have received amazing support. They have enabled the course with resources and connections that have made the journey so much easier.”