| La Trobe University Goal
La Trobe University is committed to equal
‘opportunity for excellence’ for all Australians in terms of access to, and
success in, higher education. The University aims to provide a positive environment which
is culturally appropriate and relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
and to assist them to find their time at the University academically and personally
rewarding. At the same time, it seeks to provide an opportunity for other students to
broaden their cultural experience through working with Indigenous students.
Objectives
To increase access and participation, success and
retention of Indigenous students in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs; to
provide short courses and flexible learning programs to meet the needs of Aboriginal
communities; to increase cross-cultural understanding.
Strategies and Performance
To increase access and participation
The University actively encourages the enrolment
of Indigenous students through making sustained contact with potential students, and
providing advice and information, including information on University Scholarships and
Commonwealth Equity and Merit Scholarships.
The University has developed a web site for the
Aboriginal Liaison Office which will assist prospective students to establish interest in
the University and make choices, and will provide ongoing cultural information and
awareness for all visitors to the site. The University is establishing a bulletin board
for communication between present and prospective students to encourage the exchange of
views and experiences.
The University makes provision for an Aboriginal
Liaison Officer at Bendigo, Albury/Wodonga, Mildura and Shepparton as well as at its
metropolitan campus.
The University will continue to develop and
maintain a strong relationship with local Aboriginal communities. The Local Aboriginal
Education Consultative Group—part of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association
Inc (VAEAI) policy structure—is closely involved at Bendigo, and at Mildura. The
University’s Aboriginal Liaison Officers are associated with the Higher Education
Sub-committee of VAEAI. The new appointment of an Aboriginal Liaison Officer in Shepparton
(the largest Aboriginal community in regional Victoria) allows a closer relationship with
the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, the Koori Unit at Goulburn Ovens
Institute of TAFE, and the Rumbalara cooperative. Senior officers of the University hold
periodic meetings with community representatives in Albury/Wodonga and Shepparton to
discuss ways of enhancing educational opportunities for community members.
The University will further develop its bridging
and enabling programs to provide special assistance to potential Indigenous students in
numeracy, writing skills, and basic science. One purpose is to attract Indigenous students
into nursing programs. The mode of delivery of such programs will be such as to meet
community needs, eg through delivery at Shepparton and/or Echuca.
La Trobe University is bringing the attention of
Indigenous school students (years 7–12) and their parents to the benefits of a
professional career through higher education. This program will include sponsoring visits
by Indigenous graduates to schools, and to community gatherings for potential mature age
students.
The Bendigo campus has recently completed a University transition program funded through
the Vocational and Educational Guidance for Aboriginals Scheme (VEGAS) and the feasibility
of a repeat program will be investigated. The program was held in two stages over several
weeks. Overall, around one hundred students attended the campus, including large groups
from Shepparton, Robinvale, and Mildura. The majority of these students had never before
visited a university campus. The program included attending lectures, meeting members of
staff and generally experiencing life on a higher education campus. Feedback from Stage
One assisted in planning the second stage, which included a three-day residential program.
Only seventy-eight Indigenous students completed
their VCE statewide in 1997. Following an extensive catchment area analysis last year, La
Trobe University is therefore targeting not only VCE students but also mature age
students, encouraging direct application to Faculties if preferred, together with an
interview, where the panel will include an Indigenous person; and working with TAFE
Institutes to develop pathways to higher education for their Indigenous students. The
metropolitan Aboriginal Liaison Officer has hosted a visit by a party from Bendigo TAFE.
The University actively encourages potential
Indigenous students to attend Open Days.
Evaluation of strategies to increase access and
participation: The total number of Indigenous students enrolled (undergraduate and
postgraduate) has risen each year 1995–1998. Participation rose in 1998. This year
the University has its highest level of students enrolled, with forty-eight in total
(45.27 EFTSU). All Indigenous students applying for Equity and Merit Scholarships received
an award. Activity indicators of the number of community organisations contacted, the
number of school visits, number of participants in programs (such as the VEGAS programs)
and the number of telephone enquiries show increasing interest. The number of visitors to
the website is being monitored as it is developed.
To increase success and retention
The University supports Indigenous students in
their studies with orientation and skills training, academic assistance, personal support,
and careers advice. Aboriginal Liaison Officers consult with students, families and
communities, and academic staff. They work closely with other student services, such as
academic skills, financial aid, counselling, health, and accommodation.
Some Aboriginal students identify on the
enrolment form. These students are validated by the Aboriginal Liaison Officers through
personal contact. However the University cannot identify those who do not wish to
identify. All students who identify are approached and advised of the Aboriginal Tutorial
Assistance Scheme (ATAS) and even if they do not participate they are contacted by
Aboriginal Liaison Officers three times each year. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic
Programs and Access) seeks quarterly reports from all ATAS tutors and students, to ensure
that both parties to each arrangement find it satisfactory. Lecturers are also asked to
comment on the contribution the tutorials are making to the students’ progress.
The University is working to put prospective
students in touch with an individual member of the academic staff who can assist with
choices of course and subjects, and who can take an on-going interest in the
student’s progress. At Albury/Wodonga, volunteer mentors will provide a staff
reference group for the Aboriginal Liaison Officer.
On its major campuses, the University provides
an attractive well-furnished space where Aboriginal students may gather and work, and
where others may come for information and socialising. The areas are also used for
tutorials under the ATAS scheme. The in-house computing facilities provided for student
use have recently been further enhanced. The Koori and Gubba Club meets in the Bundoora
premises. The Bundoora Aboriginal Liaison Office has recently been significantly expanded.
Evaluation of increasing success and retention:
The success measure for Indigenous students rose to 1.00 in the last year, indicating a
success rate equal to that of non-Indigenous students. A further five students graduated
while one moved into an Honours year. An Indigenous student took out the first year
science prize at Albury/Wodonga. The ATAS program is evaluated half yearly by individual
student performance. Each student, tutor, and lecturer is asked to provide feedback. In a
wide range of fields Indigenous students have passed more of the subjects for which they
are enrolled than the average of all students. Many of those contributing to these
statistics have received individual assistance under ATAS.
To develop learning programs to meet the needs of
Aboriginal communities
The University will continue to develop
curriculum content and course design so that they reflect the needs and perspectives of
the Indigenous community.
a) The University currently has an application
before ATSIC for a residential course in Community Leadership, for which a certificate of
attendance will be awarded. The University regards this as a significant initiative in
serving identified needs of the Indigenous community.
b) The University recently designed a program in
conservation and land management, where small numbers of mature age participants would
work under intensive guidance in the wildlife reserve while studying for the relevant TAFE
Diploma at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE. The University is currently seeking
external funding for this.
c) The University has just funded a survey of
Aboriginal Studies in Australia, which, in concert with a study of career opportunities
for Aboriginal Studies graduates, will allow the University to develop appropriate
courses. The University is also seeking funding for curriculum development and the
institution of flexible learning strategies to deliver courses within communities to
potential Aboriginal Health Workers in the towns of the Murray and Goulburn Valleys. This
would be articulated where possible with TAFE programs.
d) The University has undertaken to investigate
the feasibility of short courses in sports events management with the Koori community of
the Goulburn Valley.
e) The University has prepared an application for
ATSIC funding to deliver a Certificate in Public Health to Aboriginal Health Workers by
block mode at variable locations.
Evaluation of program development: All
program development has been at the instigation of, and in conjunction with, members of
Aboriginal communities.
To increase cross-cultural understanding
The University through its Aboriginal Liaison
Officers has instituted a program of Aboriginal cultural awareness workshops. There is
also an Indigenous lecture series arranged by the Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Bundoora,
while at Bendigo video sessions have proved popular and promote discussion.
The University offers one-day staff development
workshops on equal opportunity for all, across both metropolitan and regional campuses.
Other sessions are provided for enrolling students, through general orientation programs,
Faculty programs, and programs in residential colleges.
The University conducts an
Aboriginal-Writer-In-Residence program. Author Ruby Ginnibi, a previous visitor to the
University, received an honorary DLitt in May 1998.
The curriculum in Aboriginal Health developed by
the Health Sciences School at Bendigo in conjunction with Aboriginal communities has
continued. Field experience is organised in Echuca, Robinvale, and the Barmah Forest area,
providing students with the opportunity to interact at community level and to hear
lectures from Aboriginal elders and Aboriginal Health Workers.
The University’s link with the Institute
for Aboriginal Development in Alice Springs offers opportunities for two-way teaching. It
aims to make the cultural resources of the Institute available to students of the
University. Diploma of Education students have been sponsored to undertake their teaching
practicum in Alice Springs, and some have returned to begin teaching in the region.
Master’s students are able to work in the area.
A ‘Sorry Book’ was located on campus
at Albury/Wodonga for a number of days and presented with others to the local Aboriginal
community. A ‘Sorry Book’ was also available for signature on the Bundoora
campus with information provided to the University community.
The University’s Human Ethics Committee has
appointed a member to represent the interests of Indigenous communities.
Evaluation of programs to increase cross
cultural understanding: Numbers attending/enrolling in each activity. Participant
feedback surveys/quality assurance of subject surveys.
Contact Officers
Mr Ralph Gallagher,
Director (Planning) and Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor
La Trobe University
Bundoora VIC 3083
Telephone: 03 9479 2004
Facsimile: 03 9471 0093
Email: vc@latrobe.edu.au
Dr Kerry Ferguson
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equity and Access)
La Trobe University
Bundoora VIC 3083
Telephone: 03 9479 3523
Facsimile: 03 9479 1246
Email: k.ferguson@latrobe.edu.au |