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Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003

University of Western Australia

Objectives

The University of Western Australia's overall objective is "to achieve equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in all aspects of the University". This means:

  • equitable access to, participation in, and graduation from the full range of courses and research opportunities available at the University;
  • equitable participation in teaching and research;
  • effective participation in the educational decision-making processes;
  • equity in employment at the University; and
  • full participation in the community and cultural life of the University.

The University recognises and values the unique contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can make to the University and is committed to:

  • developing programs and research initiatives, which will add to the body of knowledge and experience of Indigenous peoples;
  • highlighting Indigenous issues and concerns within UWA and supporting the development of Indigenous Higher Education in all its dimensions at state, national and international levels; and
  • ensuring that all students and staff develop an awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and identity.

The University has established three Centres to enable its objectives to be met:

  • The Centre for Aboriginal Programmes (CAP), which has overall responsibility for the coordination and monitoring of the University's Indigenous Education Strategy;
  • The Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) with responsibility for Indigenous students in Medicine and Dentistry and issues in Indigenous Health; and
  • The Centre for Indigenous History and the Arts (CIHA) with a primary focus on research, oral history, the arts and intellectual property.

The University is committed to ensuring the Centres are properly resourced and integrated into mainstream educational activities while maintaining processes which recognise Indigenous rights to self-determination and cultural affirmation.

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Consultative Mechanisms

The University has established the following consultation mechanisms and processes.

  • The Aboriginal Management Advisory Board has a majority of Indigenous people, and includes representatives from regional areas and key stakeholder groups. The Board has Co-Chairs who are highly respected Indigenous community leaders.
  • The Indigenous Advisory Board (CAMDH) has an Aboriginal Chair and includes representation from Indigenous health providers.
  • The Western Australian Students Aboriginal Corporation (WASAC) provides advice on student issues.
  • Indigenous leadership and staffing in the Centres means a high degree of autonomy and control by Indigenous people with two of the Directors and 80% of staff being Indigenous.
  • Indigenous membership of University boards and committees includes the Academic Board, Berndt Foundation, ECEL Faculty Advisory Board, Aboriginal Student Selection Committee, Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee, Student Equity Committee, Board of Studies (Social Work), Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (General Staff) and relevant scholarships committees.
  • Steering Committees are convened in consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities and groups to develop new initiatives or special projects.
  • The University actively supports the involvement of the Indigenous Centres in state and national bodies.

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Current and Continuing Activities

Schools Programs

The programs aim to encourage Indigenous students to see University as a realisable goal and to enhance their ability to complete Year 12, and include the following:

  • Study Advisory Service provides advice on courses and entry options to students, families and schools through visits to schools, school visits to campus, expos and community liaison.
  • The Year 12 Seminar is a week's residential seminar for Aboriginal students in Year 12 throughout Western Australia that has been run annually by the Centre since 1992. Indigenous university students are used as supervisors and mentors for the week. In 1999, 45 students attended from 20 schools, 65% of students were from country schools. Students evaluate the program and a report is available. The seminar was recognised in the State Indigenous Education Awards in 1999. A history of the seminars with follow up interviews of ex-seminar participants will be published in the second half of 2000.
  • The Medical Camp is a four-day residential program to promote Medicine and allied health professions to Aboriginal students in Years 10 and 11. Students attend from across the State and are followed up through secondary school.
  • Science Options for Secondary Students (Year 8-10) is funded under the Health Advisory and Workforce Branch of the NHMRC, and began in 1999 by targeting Aboriginal students early in high school to encourage them to continue with maths and science. Aboriginal medical and science students act as role models visiting metropolitan and country high schools. The program is continuing in 2000. There will be an evaluation of the success of the program at its conclusion.

The Provisional Entry Scheme

The Scheme offers Indigenous people alternative entry to all degree courses at UWA. Consideration is given to relevant employment and educational background (including TAFE studies), as well as Tertiary Entrance Rank. This enables appropriate applicants to enter degree courses that normally require a higher TER for admission. This has been critical in providing access to courses such as Medicine, Law and Engineering. Evaluation and monitoring of the scheme is through the Aboriginal Student Selection Committee whose members include staff from the Centres and Faculty Sub-Deans.

Study Courses for Indigenous Students

UWA offers three study courses to equip Indigenous students with the skills and knowledge to enter and succeed in their chosen field of degree study.

  • The Aboriginal Orientation Course includes a wide range of science subjects and prepares students for entry to Bachelor degree courses at UWA.
  • The Aboriginal Pre-Law Program is a five week intensive preparatory course conducted jointly with the Law School and leading directly into Law studies (LLB).
  • The Pre-Medicine Summer School is an intensive preparatory Medical summer school for students wanting to enter Medicine (MBBS) or Science courses.

Courses have student/staff evaluation. Transition rates to degree studies are monitored.

Student Services and Facilities

The Centre for Aborginal Programmes provides a wide range of resources to support Indigenous students including computers, a photocopier, a resource library, study rooms and a common room. Support staff provide academic, administrative and personal counselling tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous students in particular study areas. Staff also provide liaison with government departments, Aboriginal organisations and employer groups; and information and assistance with sponsorship, cadetships, scholarships and employment. Designated staff within faculties and departments provide additional ongoing support. Tutorial assistance is provided through ATAS. The Centre provides support to the Western Australian Students Aboriginal Corporation (WASAC) and assistance to students to attend seminars and conferences, including in 1999, the AISEAN Conference in Alice Springs and the World Indigenous Peoples' Education conference in Hawaii. UWA provides a number of scholarships for Aboriginal students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Approximately 95% of Indigenous students regularly use the Centres' service. The Centres appointed an additional Indigenous Student Services Officer in 1999 to extend services to students. This new position was made ongoing from 2000.

Teaching and Curriculum Development

The Centres (CAP, CAMDH and CIHA) have been successfully developing Indigenous curriculum and teaching across the University to enable students to develop an awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and identity as well as to provide cultural affirmation and relevance for Indigenous students. Curriculum is developed and delivered in consultation with Aboriginal people. Continuing curriculum initiatives include Aboriginal education content in the Graduate Diploma of Education; units in Aboriginal History and Aboriginal Art; an Indigenous Design Studio in Landscape Architecture; Aboriginal studies components in Criminology, Law, Anatomy and Human Biology. Based on the successful partnership models used above, it is planned to extend this progressively until all courses have Aboriginal studies units or core components. Major achievements in 1999/2000 include the implementation of Aboriginal curriculum in Medicine (MBBS) and Social Work, and the creation of a new Lecturer position in Indigenous Health.

Cross Cultural Awareness

The University provides cross-cultural awareness training for staff and community education courses. The University has recently undertaken an Inclusivity and Diversity project which substantially increased the number of staff across all areas of employment undertaking cross-cultural courses with the Centre for Aboriginal Programmes in 1999 and 2000. A key focus for the Centre for Indigenous History and the Arts is the development of Indigenous Arts on campus. There is University-wide recognition of NAIDOC, Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week with public forums on Indigenous issues.

Research

All Centres engage in research projects and activities in their respective areas that are designed to create a research environment at the University that is culturally sensitive, responsive to Indigenous communities and recognises and enhances Indigenous research. CIHA has developed Oral History projects with Indigenous Language Centres, a research project on education and established a national Indigenous Writers Award. The inaugural Marrwarnging Award was made in 1999. CAMDH has undertaken a number of reviews and research projects in Indigenous Health in consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities and organisations. CAP is continuing research projects on Aboriginal Labour History, and oral history in the Derby area. The development of research and publications by Indigenous people is a designated priority area for the triennium; such publications provide essential resources for the curriculum developments above.

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Planned New Activities

University Aspirations Program

Due to the continued low achievement of Aboriginal secondary students the Centres are extending the schools program to reach more students in more schools earlier in their secondary education. The University Aspirations Program will incorporate a Year 11 Seminar, TEE seminars, a parent support and awareness package, a science summer school and a mentor program for maths and science.

Priority Study, Teaching and Research Areas

Environmental Studies, and Science are set as priority areas with specific programs, modelled on successful programs in Law and Medicine, developed and implemented over the triennium.

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Performance and Review

The University has a broad view of outcomes that takes account of qualitative and quantitative considerations. The University has an accurate database with 100% of Indigenous students in contact with the Centres and a strong graduate and ex-student network, which indicates a high level of satisfaction with the programs. In line with its target catchment, UWA has 80% of its enrolments from within the State (20% interstate). 70% of students are from country areas which is significant as UWA does not offer bloc release or distance study. UWA's entry requirements are the highest in the State, with 87% of Bachelors degree enrolments for Indigenous students coming through alternative entry provisions. This figure rose to 97% of enrolments in Law and 100% in Medicine. UWA continues to maintain a good balance of enrolments with 79% of students enrolled in Bachelors degrees or higher; 32% of students were in Law, 37% in Medicine, Science, Engineering, Commerce and Architecture and 31% in Arts. There has been a steady increase in postgraduate enrolments over the past three years.

Indigenous students are doing well academically in an extremely competitive climate given that UWA's retention and student load pass rates amongst the highest nationally. Individual student performance has increased with more students doing honours and progression rates through Medicine significantly improved. Two students will complete Medicine in 2000, doubling the number of Aboriginal doctors in Western Australia. However, access, as determined by the Lin Martin indicators, is declining and this is of concern. It needs to be balanced against the fact that overall enrolments at UWA have increased 30% and Indigenous enrolments, while steady, have been unable to match this growth. Indications, principally from student interviews, are that this is substantially due to Abstudy changes over the last two years disproportionately affecting UWA's Indigenous catchment which includes a high proportion of students under 25. More than 30% of Orientation Course students and 35% of degree students do not receive any Abstudy. Financial support is critical with 41% of degree enrolments at UWA in Band 3 HECS courses and 50% of students enrolled in professional degree areas requiring 4-6 years minimum study (and often an additional preparatory year). While overall access is lower, numbers are increasing in the key areas of Medicine, Law and Science.

In 1999 the University undertook a Co-operative Review of Indigenous Issues in Education and Research at UWA. The Review was completed in March 2000 and made a series of recommendations in relation to structure and funding for the Indigenous Centres and the further development of Indigenous curriculum and research at UWA. These recommendations will be considered as part of Academic Plan to ensure that the Indigenous Centres are supported and resourced to meet the future needs of Indigenous students and the overall development of Indigenous higher education at UWA.

The Aboriginal Orientation Course will be formally reviewed during Semester 2.

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Report on Expenditure

 

$

$

Income from Indigenous Support Funding(a)

 

428,000

Expenditure

   

Salaries and on costs(b)

282,295

 

General Operating costs(c)

145,705

 

Institutional Overheads(d)

Nil

 

Total Expenditure from Indigenous Support Funding

 

428,000

Additional UWA Expenditure on Indigenous Student Services(e)

94,512

 

Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS)

155,148

 

Expenditure on Indigenous Teaching, Research and Community programs(f)

1,332,870

1,582,530

Total UWA Expenditure on Indigenous Education(g)

 

2,010,530

Notes:

(a) Distribution of Income

    The total amount of Indigenous Support funding that the University receives is allocated directly to the Centre for Aboriginal Programmes which determines how funds are expended. All funds are expended on facilities, services and programs offered by the University's three Indigenous Centres, The Centre for Aboriginal Programmes (CAP), The Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) and the Centre for Indigenous History and the Arts (CIHA).

(b) Salary Costs

The Centre for Aboriginal Programmes has a number of staffing positions that work directly with Indigenous students to provide counselling and advisory services in relation to academic, administrative and personal areas. Student support is built into all staffing positions in CAP and CAMDH. Expenditure for salaries is based on the degree to which staff are involved directly in student support and includes:

  • Director (50%)
  • Academic Coordinator (100%)
  • Orientation Coordinator (100%)
  • Other Academic (computing support 30%)
  • School Liaison Officer (100%
  • Student Services Assistant (new position)
  • Administrative Secretary (100%)
  • Secretary (50%)

(c) General Operating Expenses

General expenses include:

  • Purchase and maintenance of equipment including computers and photocopier in the student computer room.
  • Student Resource Library including textbooks and video purchases.
  • Field trips and travel expenses including student representation at Conferences (including The World Indigenous People Education conference in Hawaii).
  • Social functions including an end of year Ball and graduation.
  • Promotions, publicity materials and Indigenous issues forums.
  • Other general expenses (phone, fax etc).

(d) Institutional Overheads

All overhead costs are met by the University and not taken from Indigenous Support Funding

(e) Additional UWA Expenditure on Indigenous Student Support

Refers to student services funded separately to Indigenous Support Funds. This includes The Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health which supports Indigenous students in Medicine and is funded by the University through the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry; and the Schools programs run by CAMDH and CAP. This item does not include the designated Indigenous students' liaison and support staff in faculties and departments. Mainstream students support services and equity programs provided for all students are used and accessed by Indigenous students. No expenditure is included against this as the costs are met by the University.

(f) Expenditure on Indigenous Teaching, Research and Community Programs

CAP's teaching in mainstream degrees and the Aboriginal Orientation course attract teaching EFTSU and therefore the teaching costs are not included under Indigenous Support Funding expenditure.

(g) Total UWA Expenditure on Indigenous Education

This total only includes funds that are under the control of the Indigenous Centres or were expended directly on Indigenous staff. It does not include the cost of accommodation, infrastructure support, staff development and other facilities and services provided by the University to the Centres (and where the University meets the costs).

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Contact

Ms Jill Milroy
Director
Centre for Aboriginal Programmes
Tel: (08) 9380 7829
Fax: (08) 9380 1100
Email: jmilroy@ecel.uwa.edu.au

Dr David Atkinson
Director
Centre for Aboriginal Medical & Dental Health
Tel: (08) 9380 3428
Fax: (08) 9380 1100
Email: datkinso@ecel.uwa.edu.au

 

 

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