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Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003

Monash University

• Objectives
• Consultative Mechanisms
• Current and Continuing Activities
• Planned New Activities
• Performance and Review
• Report on Expenditure
• Contact

Objectives

Monash University's commitment to the education of Indigenous Australians is outlined in Leading the Way: The Monash Plan 1999 - 2003:

This commitment is further detailed in the University's Equity in Employment and Education Policy, which identifies five major aims: increase enrolments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; strengthen students' pride in their Aboriginal heritage; improve retention, progression and graduation rates; promote enrolments in all fields of study, especially business and science based courses; and promote research into Aboriginal Culture. The Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies (CAIS) has a primary role in achieving the University's objectives.

Objectives of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies

• To contribute to the development and professional practice in Indigenous affairs and to contemporary ideas and issues influencing Indigenous affairs and shaping society.
• To ensure that the research and curriculum support the above aim so that all students can benefit from this knowledge.

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Consultative Mechanisms

In November/December 1999, the University Council approved the establishment of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies (CAIS) and disestablished three pre-existing centres, Monash Orientation Scheme for Aborigines (MOSA), Koorie Research Centre and Gippsland Koorie Studies Centre. A new Advisory Group is in the process of being formed, incorporating local and regional Indigenous representatives, and will replace the three former advisory committees.

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Current and Continuing Activities

Major achievements in 1999 and to date in 2000

Following the Bourke Review (1997), the University has moved to restructure the three pre-existing centres into one single academic unit. The subsequent appointment of a Professor and Director of Monash Aboriginal Programs has led to the establishment of CAIS with a new integrated structure which includes Indigenous students, teaching and research.

• A single administrative unit has been established to support Monash Aboriginal Programs, to achieve a more effective structure to meet Indigenous students needs and ensure a more responsive and efficient University structure.
• An Indigenous Student Support Unit (ISSU) has been established, enabling Monash to provide a culturally appropriate learning environment for Indigenous students and to monitor student progress more effectively across all campuses. Unit staff will also provide advice and support to other faculties on selection matters relating to Indigenous students.
• The Monash Orientation Scheme for Aborigines re-commenced in 1999 to continue the provision of access opportunities for Indigenous students. The first semester program sought to provide a solid foundation for the understanding of issues of time management, cultural identity and university learning. Second semester consisted of two BA level units - Introduction to Koorie Society and Koorie Literature - and one other subject in the Arts faculty, which further develops the students' experience of lectures and tutorials within the wider university context.
• A part time Indigenous Professorial Fellow based at Clayton and an Indigenous lecturer at the Gippsland campus were appointed in 1999 to strengthen teaching, research, consultancy and public relations activities.
• As part of Monash University's commitment to broadening the understanding of Indigenous issues, Ms Evelyn Scott, chairperson of the Reconciliation Council, delivered a public lecture at the Gippsland campus and also delivered the 1999 Matthew Campbell Lecture (organised by the Monash Medical Students Association).
• As a strategy to broaden the fields of study within which Indigenous students participate, three scholarships for undergraduate Indigenous Engineering students have been funded by Rio Tinto.
• In 1999, the Centre introduced a Masters degree in Australian Indigenous Studies to broaden curriculum and increase post-graduate opportunities in the field.
• The Koorie Research unit continues to coordinate the Centre’s research activities, thus contributing to contemporary ideas and issues influencing Indigenous affairs. Areas of interest include: Indigenous education; Colonial history and race relations; Reconciliation; Sport; Criminal Justice; Global and Local Indigenous Studies; Aboriginal Rock Music; Family and Community Studies. There is a concurrent focus on advanced technologies in Indigenous Studies and education.
• As part of Monash University's contribution to Reconciliation, the Mullum Mullum tree project, in collaboration with local Bunerong people, is being finalised.
• The University is committed to increasing the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and has asked each faculty and division to develop plans for increasing and or consolidating the numbers of Indigenous people that are employed.

In response to changing circumstances, CAIS is planning the following changes to its current activities:

• reviewing the orientation schemes offered from Clayton and Gippsland;
• rationalising the teaching program between Clayton and Gippsland. This will include further reviewing the Diploma of Koorie Studies and undergraduate electives in the Bachelor of Arts;
• introducing a first year BA Indigenous Studies subject at Gippsland and Clayton; and
• exploring the feasibility of the existing Diploma as orientation and a pathway into an Arts degree.

The new structure of Monash Aboriginal Programs will enable CAIS and the University to:

• Increase Indigenous student enrolments.
• Provide University-wide support to Indigenous students.
• Establish quotas for Indigenous students in all faculties.
• Achieve Indigenous retention and completion rates similar to other University students.
• Ensure University curricula and activities is inclusive of Indigenous Australians.
• Heighten the research profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff within the University.
• Develop international links with overseas programs and universities, and
• Form development partnerships with Koorie communities, government and the private sector.

Monash University is monitoring CAIS's structure and programs in accordance with the 1997 Review. CAIS is located within the Faculty of Arts and is subject to the same review and monitoring mechanisms as all other Schools of the Faculty, ensuring inclusion in all regular academic planning, monitoring and evaluation activities in addition to the annual review of the Indigenous Education Strategy.

The University also employs productivity and equity indicators, student evaluations and other mechanisms such as peer review and outside consultants.

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Planned New Activities

Goals

• To maintain numbers and support of Indigenous undergraduate students.
• To increase the number of Indigenous postgraduate students.
• To develop international links.
• To employ more Indigenous research staff.
• To develop a research base to assist achieve the Centre's objectives.

New activities planned for the 2001­2003 triennium and which specifically support the above goals include:

• Developing an Indigenous Access Scheme to increase the number of Indigenous undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Indigenous Access Scheme will be a three pronged strategy and including
  • an enabling pathway, such as the Monash Orientation Scheme for Aborigines,
  • the introduction in 2001 of a strategy to identify Indigenous applicants as they apply for entry to Monash University via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre, so that affirmative action can be applied where appropriate.
  • the identification of Indigenous student places in faculties.
• Introducing a first year Indigenous Studies unit to be offered at Clayton, Gippsland and by distance in 2001.
• Planning and collaborating with the International Marketing and Recruitment Office to pursue specific international opportunities in North America and elsewhere, for example with Spellman College, the University of Arizona (where the ATSIC Fulbright Scholar, a Monash PhD student, will reside during 2000 - 2001).
• Employing an Indigenous Research Fellow to complete the oral history project based on audio material collected between 1974 and 1991.
• Utilising the unique materials within the Elizabeth Eggleston Library collection to identify and generate specific research projects.
• Introducing a biennial Monash University commemorative lecture to honour William Cooper, former Secretary of the Australian Aborigines League. This lecture will provide an opportunity for community involvement and reflection on the recent history of Indigenous politics.

The access, participation, success and retention indicators used below will continue to provide a basis for monitoring success in maintaining and supporting Indigenous undergraduate students and increasing the number of postgraduate students. The staffing profile will be tracked carefully and the range and type of research activities of the Centre will be monitored. International links will be evaluated and assessed against key guiding principles.

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Performance and Review

The following tables show Monash University's achievement against its performance indicators for Indigenous Education.

Equity performance indicators for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 1998 - 2000

Access figures indicate a slight increase on 1999 and it is expected that there will be continued improvement with more accurate identification of Monash Indigenous students and an increased student support focus. Participation levels decreased over 1998-2000, in part reflecting declining access rates. Success was above the State and National averages in 1999 as was the apparent retention rate.

Indigenous students are enrolled in all seven of the broad fields of study offered at the University. CAIS works with each of the faculties, providing advice on curricula and Indigenous student matters.

Indigenous students are also enrolled across all levels of study although the majority are undertaking undergraduate programs. The further strengthening of the Koorie Research Unit and the introduction of appropriate graduate coursework programs will ensure the continued growth of Indigenous graduate enrolments.

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Report on Expenditure

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Contact

Professor Eleanor A Bourke,
Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies, and
Director, Monash Aboriginal Programs,
Tel: (03) 9905 4205
Fax: (03) 9905 5043
Email: eleanor.bourke@arts.monash.edu.au

Ms Alison McColl,
Coordinator, Indigenous Student Support Unit,
Tel: (03) 9905 1507
Email: alison.mcoll@arts.monash.edu.au

Ms Val Campbell,
Administrative Officer,
Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies
Tel: (03) 9905 4208
Fax: (03) 9905 5043
Email: val.campbell@arts.monash.edu.au

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