DETYA - Commonwealth Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs

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Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003

La Trobe University

Objectives

Specific goals and objectives that relate to the provision of equity, taken from the University Strategic Plan, are to:

  • maintain a commitment to the broadest possible access for students and to equality of opportunity;
  • promote teaching and training of the highest quality relevant to the rapidly changing needs and expectations of participants;
  • provide course and programs of high academic standard that are attractive to students, well taught and relevant to the needs of the community;
  • participate in schemes that provide educational pathways for increased opportunities and access to University education of genuine quality; and
  • enhance access to University education and provide genuine opportunities for lifelong learning, career enhancement, and upgrading of qualifications by the provision of short courses, summer schools and Continuing Education programs.

Specific objectives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are to:

  • increase access and participation, success and retention of ATSI students in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs;
  • provide courses and flexible learning programs that meet the needs of Aboriginal communities; and
  • increase cultural understanding.

Faculties are requested to include specific ATSI objectives and strategies in their Faculty Plans. Each faculty has a representative on the University Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access and Participation Advisory Committee. This committee canvases initiatives and strategies.

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Consultative Mechanisms

Consultation with Indigenous people has occurred in a variety of ways. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access and Participation Advisory Committee (ATSIAPAC) has a membership which includes community representatives, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) members, Aboriginal Liaison Officers, University members from Faculties and senior management. The Committee has met regularly at community locations. Bendigo Faculty also has a Koorie Education Committee with community members. Community consultation has been conducted at Bendigo, Shepparton and at the Aboriginal Advancement League in Melbourne. A strong relationship with local Aboriginal communities exists. The Local Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group (part of VAEAI) is involved with all campuses. The Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALO) are associated with the Higher Education Sub-Committee of VAEAI. The ALO in Shepparton maintains close links with the Local Aboriginal Consultative Group, the Koori Unit at the TAFE and the Rumbalara Cooperative. The ALOs liaise with local Indigenous communities at organisational and family levels. The ALO from Bundoora is a member of the Darebin City Council Reconciliation Working Party. La Trobe actively seeks Aboriginal community initiatives and proposals. Finally an ongoing relationship with potential and current students is critical to the consultation activities of the University.

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Current and Continuing Activities

Strategies, Action and Performance against Objectives are detailed as follows:

Objective 1: To increase access and participation, success and retention of ATSI students in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs

Strategies

Action

Performance Indicators
1.1 Encourage access and participation of Indigenous students by contacting potential students and providing advice, information and support to potential and current students.
  • Further development of the ATSI website. Include profiles of current and past students, study programs and titles of projects, career paths, details of all subjects with Indigenous content at University, application, enrolment & selection procedures, Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) information Hyllus Maris lecture information and links to VTAC.
  • Number of times website is accessed Benchmarking to be established for the next triennium.
  • Site extended in 2000/2001.
  • Conduct secondary school visits.
  • Continue.
  • Maintain continuous recruitment activities.
  • Access rates.
  • Identify all new Aboriginal students, personalise introduction to the University and provide support.
  • Participation and retention rates. Koori Information Day. conducted at Mildura Campus.
  • Promote the range of subjects with Indigenous content to potential and existing students via dissemination of Indigenous subjects pamphlet.
  • Pamphlet disseminated to relevant Indigenous organisations and High schools and updated annually.
  • Continue Mentor Program for students.
  • Secure ongoing funding for scheme at Bendigo Faculty.
1.2. Implement activities that support student learning.
  • Develop forums to support and showcase the work of postgraduate student.
  • ATSI Postgraduate Forum to be repeated in 2000, members of the community and students from all campuses to be invited. Students work to be acknowledged on the ATSI website.
  • Continue to conduct ATAS program at all campuses. ALOs to inform students and the community of the Scheme.
  • Success and retention rates.
  • Utilisation rate
  • Provide computer facilities.
  • Upgrade and maintain computers and conduct computer skills sessions in 2000/2001.
  • ALOs to familiarise themselves with student profiles and provide individual assistance.
  • Profiles established and support offered.
  • ALOs consult with students, families, communities and academic staff, working closely with all other student services.
  • Success and retention rates.
  • Aboriginal Tertiary Support Unit (Bendigo) to develop ATSU Data Base of all resources.
  • Complete database in 2000.
1.3 Acknowledge the differences in ATSI communities at all campuses and provide individual, relevant services to these Communities.
  • Provision of ALOs at each of its campuses and Aboriginal Support Units at Bendigo and Bundoora campuses.
  • Continued employment of ALOs at all campuses.
  • Continued support for Aboriginal Support Units at Bendigo and Bundoora Campuses.
  • Investigate provision of dedicated areas for ALOs at all campuses.
  • Needs analysis conducted in 2000 for designated spaces for ALOs at all campuses.
1.4. Assist ATSI students by offering scholarships.
  • Darebin Health Science Scholarship developed.
  • Awarded to an ATSI recipient in 2000. Review success and discuss continuation of scholarship in 2001.
  • Access to the full range of scholarships available for students of the University.
  • Number of scholarships taken up by ATSI student analysis in 2000/2001 to determine further needs.
  • Chisholm College Accommodation award for an ATSI student.
  • Free on-campus accommodation at Chisholm College for ATSI student (under or postgraduate) for as long as study is undertaken at La Trobe.
1.5 Assist new students with transition and orientation activities.
  • Continue the successful transition program introduced at Bendigo in 1999 and offer at other campuses, VEGAS funding sought.
  • Transition program to be conducted at Bendigo and Bundoora in 2000 and VEGAS funding secured.
  • Increased success, retention and access rates.
  • Specific orientation programs to be conducted for ATSI students. Include specific advice or contact staff for Indigenous students.
  • Culturally sensitive orientation programs to be conducted.
  • Orientation Kits distributed.
  • Student feedback via survey.
  • Continued availability.

1.6 Maintain alternative selection pathways for ATSI students.
  • VTAC selection procedures explained, differences between Bendigo and Bundoora Campuses made explicit, alternative entry pathways to be maintained (Direct or VTAC), mature age students targeted and TAFE pathways developed.
  • Selection procedures to be monitored.
  • Number of ATSI entrants monitored and surveyed to ascertain entry pathways in 2000/2001.

Objective 2: To provide courses and flexible learning programs to meet the needs of Aboriginal communities

Strategies

Action

Performance Indicators
2.1 Develop courses that reflect the needs and perspectives of the ATSI community.
  • With Binjirru Regional Council, offer the Directors Training Courses at Worrawa College annually.
  • Courses conducted in 1999 and 2000 and certificates awarded.
  • Analysis of need for program in other communities and development of offering in 2001/2002 if need identified.
  • Graduate Dip. Counselling and Human Services offered in intensive block mode at the Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD), Alice Springs to be offered at other locations if viable.
  
  • Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal Studies at IAD.
  • Students enrolled for 2000 & program continuing.
  • In conjunction with Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (SIOT), develop and deliver appropriate short courses for local Koori organisations.
  • Courses conducted & certificates awarded.

2.2 Continue to develop course design to reflect the needs and perspectives of the ATSI community.
  • The Diploma of Indigenous Health to be established, and articulated with Bachelor of Public Health.
  • Course to be approved in 2000 & offered for 2001.

Objective 3: To increase cultural understanding

Strategies

Action

Performance Indicators
3.1 Establish relevant activities to assist in promoting cultural awareness at the University.
  • Cultural awareness workshops, lectures, video presentations and individual sessions offered regularly and as requested.
  • Demand and participation in programs.
  • ALOs participate in Equity and Equal Opportunity one day Staff Development programs.
  • As above.
  • School of Health and Human Services, with the Aboriginal community health organisations, offer the subject ‘Aboriginal Health ­ A Primary Health Care Field Study’ at Bendigo.
  • Number of students enrolled, evaluation of outcomes and success rates to be monitored.
  • Conduct "Sorry Day" activities.
  • "Sorry Book" on campuses publicised and functions held to acknowledge the day.
  • Participate in NAIDOC week.
  • Aboriginal flag raising ceremony to be conducted & cultural activities scheduled.
  • A Koori Awareness Week held annually.
  • Assist students to conduct activities.
  • Open Day to include Indigenous activities.
  • ALOs to organise a range of activities.
  • Appoint Indigenous Consultant to the Human Ethics Committee.
  • Human Ethics Committee to utilise Consultant on all research with Aboriginal content.
  • Ongoing participation in reconciliation process.
  • Opportunities and participation in the process.
  • Continue the La Trobe University Annual Hyllus Maris Memorial Lecture to honour the achievements of local Aboriginal women in Education and acknowledge La Trobe’s involvement in reconciliation.
  • Lecture to be conducted in 2000, lectures planned for 2001 and 2002.
3.2 Develop opportunities for mutually beneficial activities.
  • "Koori Women Mean Business" group to participate in activities at the University.
  • Opportunities for participation.
  • Links with Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD) in Alice Springs create the opportunity for two-way teaching. Masters and Dip Ed. Students undertaking studies/practicums at IAD.
  • Student evaluations, success rates and community evaluations.
  • Develop links with International Diabetes Institute to conduct local research on Koori health in Mildura.
  • Research conducted and results disseminated to local Koori agencies.
  • Develop a "Graduate Employment Program" in partnership with local community at Bendigo.
  • Successful employment of students.
3.3 Institutionalise consultative processes with Aboriginal Communities.
  • Collaboration with local communities and representative groups.
  • Consultative forums held regularly in the community and advice sought for the preparation of the Indigenous Education Strategy.
  • Conduct at least one ATSIAPAC meeting at a local community venue in each year.
  • Community involvement in ATSIAPAC ­ number of times external members attend the meeting.
  • Number of participants at meetings.

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Planned New Activities: 

As above, this section will be addressed using a strategy, action, performance indicators format. See tables.

Strategies

Action

Performance Indicators
1. Acknowledge the history of Aboriginal people and their contributions to the University and community.
  • Award the Molly Dyer Memorial Prize for outstanding work in Aboriginal Studies.
  • The presentation of the $500 prize for the next 3 years.
  • Develop a reconciliation statement for the University in consultation with the Faculties and ATSIAPAC.
  • Statement for University support to be presented to Council in 2000.
  • Memorial plaque to be placed in University grounds to acknowledge the original inhabitants of the land.
  • Plaque to be in place by 2000.
2. Continue to develop Aboriginal learning initiatives.
  • Faculty of Health Sciences to introduce an Aboriginal Health elective unit for all courses.
  • Academic Committee approval by 2000 and offered in 2001.
  • Establish University-wide "inclusive curriculum" project and advisory committee to identify principles and practices and develop workshops and resources.
  • Establish cross faculty committee and develop
    information pamphlet by end 2000.
  • Professional development workshop planned 2001.
  • School of Physiotherapy to offer clinical elective placements in WA & NT.
  • Number of students applying for elective placements & students to share experiences by posters & presentations.
  • ATSI grants established to improve access, participation, success and retention for ATSI students through innovative projects in the calendar year 2000-2001.
  • Grant funds ($7,500) available to support the developmental, pilot or introductory phase of an activity or project that can be completed in 12 months.
  • Offer the Director Training Course at other locations.
  • Review extent of offering of course and develop proposal for 2001.
  • Establish new short courses and bridging programs of interest to Indigenous communities, both at the Bundoora campus and the regional campuses.
  • Conduct needs investigation in 2000 and develop programs in 2001. Community input to provide "ownership" of the offerings.
  • Investigate the need for an "Indigenous Reference Group" to review Aboriginal content in subjects/courses.
  • Establish need.
3. Extend Aboriginal networks.
  • Expansion of Website to link nationally to Koori Education Units, community organisations and government departments.
  • Website extension to be in place by 2000/2001.
4. Develop initiatives to support students.
  • Investigate the need for a specialised Koori Employment or Careers Advisory Group.
  • Conduct needs survey and discuss with Careers Unit.
  • Investigate the provision of a residence for Koori students at Bendigo campus.
  • Survey community and investigate feasibility.

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Performance and Review

This year the University has had a 38% increase in enrolments since 1999, this dramatic rise continues a pattern of increases over the 1998-200 triennium with a 58% increase over that period. The participation rate of 0.92 in 2000 is well above the 1999 national average of 0.78 and in the context of a state figure of 0.4 representing the ATSI population this figure is encouraging. As shown in Table 1 the success rate remains high (0.93), indeed again the highest for all states, and well above the 1998 national average of 0.74 and close to the non-ATSI student success rate of 1.00. Similarly the retention rate of 0.900 is above both national and state averages of 0.767 and 0.821 respectively. ATAS will have been a major contributing factor in achieving these results. The statistics for the University are consistent with information in the 1999 DETYA publication ‘Equity in Higher Education’ that there is a negative relationship between access and success and retention. However with the increased enrolment pattern at the University there is no indication of a trend towards an associated decrease in retention and success rates.

Table 1 ATSI Results/ Lin Martin Indicators

Year

Access

Participation

Success*

Retention

1998

0.26

0.59

0.92

0.658

1999

0.31

0.64

0.93

0.89

2000

0.50

0.92

  

0.900

* Success is measured in the preceding year

Progress on specific initiatives includes the first Graduate Diploma in Counselling in Alice Springs has been completed with 6 students graduating with their Victorian colleagues in May, 2000. All students reported high levels of satisfaction and are all currently employed as counsellors. The Darebin Health Scholarship was awarded to an ATSI recipient in 2000 to undertake studies in Health Sciences. Progress will be monitored and recommendations for further scholarships discussed with the Darebin Council. Dr. Ian Anderson agreed to take on the role of Indigenous Consultant to the Human Ethics Committee, all research projects with Indigenous content will be reviewed by the Consultant as part of the Ethics approval process. The Directors Training Manual was produced and distributed in 1999 and the course conducted in 1999 and 2000 at Worrawa College. Evaluations indicate a high level of satisfaction with content, relevance, and quality. An Aboriginal consultant, Ms. Lois Peeler, has been employed to manage the program.

A survey of all subjects with Australian Indigenous content at La Trobe University was undertaken in late 1999 and a pamphlet developed for use in promoting such subjects to Indigenous and non Indigenous students. Thirty-nine subjects across all Faculties were identified as including Indigenous content, fourteen of these with a primary focus on Australian Indigenous people.

An Aboriginal Reciprocal Research Working Party is meeting with the aim to establish a Centre of Indigenous Research Partnerships/Aboriginal Reciprocal Research. The Centre would promote links through research with Indigenous communities, respond to community needs which have been identified through these links, and to develop a protocol for addressing these needs through the University

The ATSU Co-ordinator at Bendigo presented a joint paper with one of the Aboriginal students and 2 local Aboriginal Community Educators at the World Indigenous People’s Conference on Education in August, 1999 in Hawaii. The University funded the ALO and student.

All students are contacted regularly by the ALO’s offering support and assistance. On the larger campuses the Aboriginal Support Units are utilised extensively The Units provide space for socialising and support (including computer and reference support) and are culturally sensitive to the students’ needs. The Unit on the Bundoora campus is to be extended and the computers upgraded, with four new computers being purchased in 2000.

Activities to meet the objective of increasing cultural understanding were many and varied, a selection are included here.

The Inaugural Hyllus Maris Lecture was held in October 1999. The lecture was delivered by Jacqui Katona, spokesperson for the Mirrar people of Kakadu, Chief Executive Officer of the Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation. The event was a huge success with approximately 500 attendees. An academic procession of Aboriginal graduates led the proceedings. It was an evening of cultural exchange and celebration that included dancing by the Yarmuk Cultural Group and Indigenous music.

"Daughters of the Dreaming" a one-day self-development for young Aboriginal women between 16 and 24 was held at the University. The seminar, hosted by Koori Women Mean Business Incorporated, included information sessions and practical workshops.

A major "Sorry Day" event was held as part of La Trobe’s commitment to Reconciliation and acknowledging the history of our Aboriginal staff and students, past and present. The University said "Sorry". Several Patrons of the Stolen Generations spoke on the day and the "Sorry Book" was available. A collaboration between staff and students provided information on the Stolen Generations Inquiry including a photographic display from an Indigenous postgraduate student. La Trobe was one of 35 organisations nationwide selected to have their reconciliation commitment statement included in the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation’s commitments kit ‘Walking the Talk ­ Commitments to Reconciliation’. This document was distributed at Corroboree 2000 to inform participants about good practice in reconciliation on the ground.

The future challenges will be to continue and improve the range of support services for Indigenous students, to recognise and value the knowledge which Indigenous students bring with them to University and to provide appropriate curriculum models to enhance their learning opportunities.

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Report on Expenditure 

 

 

ATSI EXPENDITURE REPORT 1999

  

 

SHEPPARTON

BENDIGO

ALBURY/
WODONGA

BUNDOORA

Salaries

 

 

 

 

Base Salary

5,241

 

 

 

Oncosts

 

 

 

 

Workcare

43

 

 

 

Payroll Tax

330

 

 

 

Superannuation

325

 

 

 

Rec Leave Levy

72

 

 

 

LSL Levy

77

 

 

 

Total On costs

847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Salaries

6,088

88,931

44,687

60,971

 

 

 

 

 

Overheads

 

 

 

 

Travel & Entertainment

 

 

 

58

Travel

250

700

 

Other Expenditure

 

6,343

651

9,645

Stationery & Office Supplies

150

 

 

 

Maintenance & Repairs

 

420

 

565

General Overheads & Admin

20,260

 

45,698

Materials & Equipment

 

3,736

2,200

1,921

Property Expenses

 

 

 

861

Recoveries

 

 

 

588

Advertising

 

 

 

635

Promotion Activities

 

 

 

300

Direct Support IAD

 

 

 

37,282

G.Dip in Counselling in Alice Springs

 

 

42,256

 

 

 

 

 

Total Overheads

400

30,759

3,551

139,809

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

6,488

119,690

48,238

200,780

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

 

 

 

375,196

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Contact

Kerry Ferguson
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Equity & Access)
Tel: (03) 9479 3523
Fax: (03) 9479 1246
Email: k.ferguson@latrobe.edu.au

Jonelle Green
Acting Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Bundoora Campus
Tel: (03) 9479 3817
Fax: (03) 9479 3590
Email: j.green@latrobe.edu.au

Waddah Eltchelebi
Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Bendigo Campus
Tel: (03) 5444 7812
Fax: (03) 5444 7382
Email: atsu@bendigo.latrobe.edu.au

Judy Cue
Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Albury/Wodonga Campus
Tel: (02) 6058 3753
Email: j.cue@wodonga.tafe.edu.au

Yvonne Anderson
Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Shepparton Campus
Tel: (03) 5833 2517
Email: y.anderson@latrobe.edu.au

Ron Broadhead
Campus Manager/Contact person
Mildura Campus
Tel: (03) 5022 3704
Fax: (03) 5022 3646
Email: rbroadhe@pegasus.sunitafe.edu.au

Wendy Magee
Campus Manager
Mt. Buller Campus
Tel: 0417 522 672(Mob) 

 

 

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