The Postgraduate Academic Enlightenment (PAE) Programme team (School of Environment, Education & Development)

The Postgraduate Academic Enlightenment (PAE) Programme team: Rui He and Stephen Rayner.

The team initiated and coordinated a new student support model/programme in September 2023 as a new support programme for PGT students in MIE. It comprises 11 bi-weekly sessions and one PGT Research Showcase (dissertation conference) in each academic year, covering a wide range of themes related to the Masters journey. In its first two years, those themes have included academic writing, self-care, time management, managing expectations, academic advising, language development, critical thinking, and preparation for life beyond the Masters.  The Postgraduate Academic Enlightenment (PAE) Team's Teaching Excellence Award submission detailed how they creatively establish a new student support model at Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) to more inclusively and flexibly support all Masters students across different programmes. PAE provides a menu of activities from which students choose according to their diverse backgrounds and study needs, learning and support are provided in flexible ways (i.e. in-person and online provisions and Blackboard ‘one-stop shop’ space) with a wide range of themes covering Masters students’ holistic one-year journey at the University of Manchester. PAE has also provided the chance for Masters students from different degree programmes to meet each other with shared needs and interests, develop long-term friendships and, importantly, learn from each other. Instead of lectures, the interactive nature of PAE sessions offer meaningful opportunities for students to be ‘enlightened’ by guest speakers’ insights and experiences. PAE is valued as a “close friend” (alumna 2023/24) accompanying them throughout their one-year Masters journey with substantial support signposted across the University.