Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003
University of Canberra
- Objectives
- Consultative Mechanisms
- Current and Continuing Activities
- Planned New Activities
- Performance and Review
- Report on Expenditure
- Contact
Objectives
The Ngunnawal Centre is the Indigenous Australian higher education Centre within the University of Canberra. The Centre is a dynamic learning Community dedicated to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through education. Our focus is the development of culturally appropriate learning, teaching and research. We acknowledge and respect the inherent worth of Australia’s First Nations peoples. The stated objectives for the Ngunnawal Centre are conversant with the Strategic Plan-2000 of the university.
- To enhance the learning of Indigenous students and provide appropriate academic, social and cultural support whilst at University. We acknowledge that our links (both locally and nationally) exist as a result of our students’ relationships with families and Communities. Additionally the Ngunnawal Centre actively engages with the professional community in the ACT and beyond to enhance the profile of the Centre and provide avenues for employment for our students.
- the Ngunnawal Centre operates from an Indigenous cultural and intellectual base that encourages knowledge dissemination and enquiry. This is undertaken so as to foster links with the academic community of the University of Canberra, other Australian Universities and establish international connections.
- To have appropriate human and material resources for effective operation within a higher education environment. The Ngunnawal Centre remains committed to strengthening an academic and research profile within the University for the students and the Community. In particular, research projects will be conducted for the empowerment of the Indigenous Communities and will be undertaken with the appropriate expertise and within culturally appropriate frameworks.
- As a core function, the Ngunnawal Centre aims to facilitate cultural pathways that lead to the provision of a quality service in both the social and academic environment. This objective is developed in recognition of the recent inclusion of Indigenous education to the academy.
- In negotiation with the University the Ngunnawal Centre aims to strengthen funding levels for activities within Indigenous higher education.
Consultative Mechanisms
The University of Canberra has acknowledged that the Indigenous Australian voice is integral to the activities of the institution through designating positions throughout it’s committee structure. At Council level the University has maintained a specific position for an Indigenous representative for at least five (5) years. The Director of Indigenous Education is positioned as a member of the Academic Board (University wide decision making body) and of Executive Committee at the Divisional level. In addition the Director sits with the membership of the Equity Committee. Future proposals include the formulation of a specific Indigenous committee that provides advice to the Ngunnawal Centre for the maintenance of current programs and for future developments.
Current and Continuing Activities
- Maintenence of the Foundation Studies Program. This program (operating biannually) provides the main entrée to University for Indigenous students. The program attends to the students need to develop skills for effective participation at the university. In addition the program is linked to the course that a student has nominated for undergraduate study. These factors contribute to the success of the program
- Continued development of the Ngunnawal Centre home page.
- Refurbishment of the Ngunnawal Centre has been undertaken (1999) and includes the creation of an Artifact Collection and an Indigenous Resources Library that compliments the studies of current students and will support the teaching of the proposed major in Aboriginal Studies. The student computer laboratory has been outfitted with new equipment.
- In order to progress the Major in Aboriginal Studies the Ngunnawal Centre will be working with the Division of Science and Design and other appropriate expertise of the University. Preliminary negotiations have commenced with Human Resources to effectively enhance the employment opportunities for Indigenous people throughout the University.
- The students of the Ngunnawal Centre have taken an active role in strengthening the profile of the Centre. Activities have included a cultural exchange program with the Nunavut (Inuit) students of Canada (May 2000) the hosting of the Indigenous student Games for the year 2000 (October) and facilitation of the National Indigenous Student Network meetings (1999).
- The staffing profile of the Ngunnawal Centre to be developed and particularly the Indigenous staffing profile of the Centre. Preliminary discussions have been held with executive members of the University to advance a strategy that enables an increase in the numbers of Indigenous workers in relevant positions thus allowing continuity for the activities of Indigenous education within the University.
- Maintenance of ATAS as an academic support measure for the students.
- Development of guidelines that are culturally appropriate for measuring and evaluating the activities of Indigenous higher education. The guidelines would be formulated in negotiation with Indigenous Community members and the appropriate advice of the university.
Planned New Activities
- The proposal for the implementation of the Major in Aboriginal Studies requires a transformation of the Ngunnawal Centre to the (Ngunnawal) School for Indigenous Australian Studies. This development will in the first instance be supported by relevant expertise in the University with the intention that the continuing activities of the new School be managed by an Indigenous Advisory Committee. This major activity is developmental for the life of this plan.
- The Ngunnawal Centre in association with the Equity Committee of the University will establish the Ngunnawal Lecture Series as an annual academic event of the University. It is proposed that nationally recognised Indigenous speakers will be sought to provide the Lecture. The Lecture will be published and therefore an Indigenous intellectual contribution to the University. It is proposed that the lecture series commence in 2001.
Performance and Review
TABLE 1A: EQUITY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR PROJECTIONS FOR
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER STUDENTS
|
Access |
Participation |
Success |
Retention |
|
|
1995 (Actual) |
1.3% |
1.13 |
0.78 |
0.76 |
|
1996 (Actual) |
0.99% |
1.88 |
0.84 |
0.81 |
|
1997 (Actual) |
1.88% |
2.2 |
0.69 |
0.78 |
|
1998 (Actual) |
1.7% |
1.41 |
0.76 |
0.74 |
|
1999 (Actual) |
1.32% |
1.4 |
0.80 |
0.69 |
|
2000 (Actual) |
1.3% |
1.1 |
na |
0.80 |
|
2000 (Plan) |
1.3% |
1.1 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
|
2001 (Plan) |
1.4% |
1.3 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
|
2002 (Plan) |
1.4% |
1.4 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
|
2003 (Plan) |
1.5% |
1.5 |
0.85 |
0.85 |
Comments.
There has been an improvement in success rates in 1999, and access rates have remained fairly constant in 1999 and 2000. Success rates have demonstrated a steady trend upwards. Retention has increased from 1999 to 2000.
It should be noted that completing Foundation students are not included in the past course completers file and are therefore not fully reflected in the apparent retention rates.
With regard to comparative analysis of the state indicators for success the university is performing above this level. Participation rates for the state average will be met within a relatively short time frame given that the trend for the last umber of years has moved upwards. Retention rates have improved to be comparable with the state average.
Report on Expenditure
ISF Grant for 1999 - $ 248 000
1. Operating Costs
Salaries for academic and administrative staff of the Centre (including oncosts) =
$ 216 007.27
Travel expenses, Community and staff functions, Conference attendance, Stationary, Telephone, Resource Materials = $ 31 992.73
It must be noted that the university provides additional support to the Ngunnawal Centre so that an operating budget of $300, 000 (total) is provided for Indigenous education activities. Specific activities that operate outside the Centre include the following-employment of an Indigenous academic (part-time) within the Division of Education and Communication for the operation of an Indigenous studies subject within Education, the designation of equity scholarships for Indigenous students and the management of Indigenous specific scholarships for a student on residence and the Ginninnderra Scholarship for Nursing, A library budget is provided to the Ngunnawal Centre and the Ngunnawal Centre has real opportunity to access the general array of funds operated by the university, eg. Study leave, conference attendance and equipment grants.
For the most recent calendar year the Ngunnawal Centre also increased it’s budget through consultancy work with ATSIC.
Contact
Associate Professor Tracey Bunda
Director
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Tel: (02) 6201 5028
Email: bunda@science.canberra.edu.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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