Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander participation
We believe in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation at every level of our study, work and research. To increase that participation we are committed to providing the best access, facilities and support.
We create leaders at the University who can change the lives of their families and people in their communities, and transform our culture. Take graduates from our Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion for example. They are working with their communities to improve Indigenous health, and demonstrating that strong leadership shapes the future.
As we strive to create a positive future, we recognise that a quality education is an important building block in empowering our students. Once students join our community, we provide a safe, respectful and comfortable environment for them to learn and grow.
All our students and staff have the opportunity to develop partnerships, gain knowledge, be part of great ideas, and participate in honest and respectful discussion that helps shape Indigenous self-determination and achievement.
Progressing our integrated approach
The University’s Strategic Plan 2011–2015 and the 2009 Review of Indigenous Education highlight the importance of our work to promote Indigenous participation, engagement, education and research.
The review made 46 recommendations designed to achieve a model for Indigenous education that covers support services, teaching, research, community engagement and internationalisation. We are currently implementing more than half of those recommendations.
Our Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) Shane Houston champions this work and actively leads and promotes Indigenous education and research.
He and his team work across the University to ensure that the voices of our Indigenous staff and students are heard at all levels of our decision-making.
Supporting our community
We offer support for Indigenous students at many levels, encouraging greater participation in higher education through our Compass program, and providing help with university admissions and current student support through the Koori Centre and Yooroang Gorang.
We also give University staff advice and support on inclusive and collaborative teaching and learning.
Fulfilling our promise
We believe that Indigenous participation is as an essential part of our mission to create and sustain a university where the brightest researchers and the most promising students thrive and realise their potential.
To achieve that goal, we are committed to ensuring that our Indigenous engagement, education and research strategies are clear, well supported, carried out in full, and regularly reviewed.