Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Introduction
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education is a specialist institution delivering accredited TAFE/VET (vocational education and training) and higher education programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Institute is governed by a Council that is made up predominantly of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and seeks to assist the achievement of Indigenous Australian aspirations for self-determination, self-management and personal and community development through the provision of accredited para-professional education and vocational training. The scholarship of the institution embraces a broad profile of undergraduate personal and community development through the provision of accredited para-professional and professional education and vocational training.
Two principles underpin all aspects of the Institute’s life. A ‘both ways’ approach to cultural interaction and cross-cultural learning is followed, which brings together Aboriginal traditions of knowledge and Western academic disciplinary positions and cultural contexts.
Further, close links between the ‘both ways’ philosophy and the Aboriginal communities it serves have led the development of a ‘mixed mode’ form of conducting most courses. This methodology combines community-based study and research, field study and supervised work experience with short intensive residential workshops at Batchelor or in other regional or cluster locations.
In preparing the Indigenous Education Strategy for 2001 2003, it is noted that such strategies have been developed by DETYA to accommodate Indigenous Centres within Australian Universities and not institutions such as Batchelor. This document is being developed as the Teaching Learning (Indigenous Education) Strategy within the DETYA Profile submission.
Consultative Mechanisms
Batchelor Institute establishes its program profile and its modus operandi in response to education, training and employment aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. Underpinning this approach is consideration and acknowledgement of the social and cultural contexts through processes of on-going consultation, periodic reviews and regular dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, leaders and organisations and with employers and employing agencies.
Graduate Attributes
- a sense of personal agency and self confidence;
- a valuing of continued and independent learning, critical analysis, creativity and Indigenous scholarship;
- an ability to work in a professional/vocational context with appropriate ethical standards and defined professional/vocational skills;
- a capacity for, and understanding of, working in partnership with others;
- an ability to analyse issues, consider different options and viewpoints, and to make and implement decisions;
- an appreciation and valuing of cultural and intellectual diversity and ability to function in a multi-cultural of global environment;
- a working knowledge eof information literacy;
- an acknowledgement and acceptance of individual responsibilities and obligations and of the assertion of the rights of the individual and the community.
Goals and Strategies
- Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education will offer education
and training programs that reflect and address the education and employment
needs, the social and cultural contexts and the aspirations of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people, of their communities, organisations
and industry.
- Monitor the take up by students of course places, and to continue to meet profile targets.
- Monitor and evaluate student progress and unit completion rates.
- Expand services and facilities available to Batchelor students at community level.
- Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education will provide
academic and training pathways that allow post-school age Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people open entry to a range of articulated
programs from basic general education, vocational education and training
and higher education, leading eventually to any level of qualification
to which they might aspire.
- Monitor and evaluate the appropriateness and quality of courses on offer to students.
- Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education will be acknowledged
by Indigenous and other community groups, industry unions, other education
and training providers and government agencies as a provider of high
quality programs for Aboriginal and Islander people.
- Develop degree courses in the Institute.
- Monitor expressions of interest in enrolment.
Contact
Veronica Arbon
Director
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
c/- Post Office
BATCHELOR NT 0845
Tel: (08) 8939 7222
Fax: (08) 8939 7127
Email: veronica.arbon@nt.gov.au
Byron Davis
Assistant Director (Academic Development)
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
c/- Post Office
BATCHELOR NT 0845
Tel: (08) 8939 7392
Fax: (08) 8939 7100
Email: byron.davis@nt.gov.au
Any comments or queries should be sent to: highered@dest.gov.au
This page was
last updated on Tuesday, 04 December 2001
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