Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council

The Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC) provides policy advice to the Minister and the Department on improving outcomes in higher education for Indigenous students and staff relating to their participation, progression and retention both in study and in employment.

IHEAC, in its second term, has focused on providing input to the Bradley Review of Australian Higher Education and made a submission to the Henry Review of Australia’s future tax system. IHEAC is also working directly on a number of other initiatives – including embedding Indigenous cultural competency in universities, examining Indigenous student finances and scoping the possibility of an Indigenous Learned Academy and Indigenous Centre for Researcher Development.

IHEAC'S VISION:

IHEAC’s vision is for a higher education system in which Indigenous Australians share equally in the life and career opportunities that a university education can provide.
The Council’s vision, planning and advice to government is based on five principles:

1. respect for Indigenous people, knowledge and culture
2. reciprocal responsibilities for universities, government and Indigenous people
3. integrated, cross-sectoral policies and programs
4. high expectations and
5. clear goals

At the recent Australian Financial Review – Higher Education Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP spoke about the issues facing Indigenous higher education students. In her speech the Deputy Prime Minister said:

“The pathways of Indigenous students through school and beyond are a major focus for the Rudd Government. Indigenous students are under-represented on our university campus. It is not just a question of access however. Retention rates are lower compared to other students – according to Bradley, between 19 and 26 per cent lower than non-Indigenous students during the past six years.

The Government recognises the distinct nature of the challenges facing Indigenous students. We will work closely with the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council to improve higher education access and outcomes for Indigenous Australians.” 9 March 2009.

On this page

IHEAC meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister

IHEAC’s Submission and Supplementary Submission to the Review of Australian Higher Education

2008 IHEAC Stakeholders’ Forum on Indigenous Higher Education: Our Place in the Education Revolution

Council Membership 2007 – 2009

Reports

Third Annual IHEAC Conference

Achievements of the Council 2005-2007

IHEAC meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister

On 19 November 2008 the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Prime Minister attended Council's 12th meeting in Darwin. Council updated the Deputy Prime Minister on its activities in 2008 and discussed ways forward for 2009.

L-R: Professor Jeannie Herbert, Professor Martin Nakata, Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, Associate Professor Tracey Bunda, Professor Roger Thomas (Chair), the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Kaye Price, Ms Jill Milroy (Deputy Chair), Mr Gary Shipp, Professor Boni Robertson, Professor Mark Rose, Dr Maggie Walter, Mr Graeme Gower.

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IHEAC’s Submission and Supplementary Submission to the Review of Australian Higher Education

IHEAC’s Submission to the Review of Australian Higher Education PDF Document (220 KB)

IHEAC’s Supplementary Submission to the Review of Australian Higher Education PDF Document (13.5 KB)

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2008 IHEAC Stakeholders’ Forum on Indigenous Higher Education: Our Place in the Education Revolution

The Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council’s Stakeholders’ Forum on Indigenous Higher Education: Our Place in the Education Revolution was held in Canberra on 14 August 2008. The purpose of the Forum was to identify key issues and recommendations for submission to the Review of Australian Higher Education, maintaining Council’s commitment to consultation and partnership with Indigenous centres and staff in universities and sector stakeholder groups.

Over 80 delegates from 31 universities and a number of professional organisations attended the Forum, including Heads and Directors of Indigenous centres, leading Indigenous academics and researchers and Indigenous professional staff including Indigenous student support centre staff. The Stakeholders’ Forum showcased the depth of knowledge, skills, expertise, experience and commitment of Australia’s Indigenous higher education community.

The main themes covered at the Forum were:

1.      Students (access, participation, retention, outcomes and finances)
2.      Research and Innovation
3.      Resourcing and Productivity

The Stakeholders’ Forum dinner was a chance to celebrate successes and saw the presentation of a number of awards including the Indigenous Elders and Leaders Awards, Indigenous Staff Scholarship Awards, the Neville Bonner Scholarship Award and the University Indigenous Education Partnerships Award. Professor Richard Larkins AO, 2008 Chair of Universities Australia, was the guest of honour.

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Council Membership 2007 – 2009

Professor Roger Thomas (Chair)

Professor Jillian Milroy (Deputy Chair)

Ms Clair Andersen

Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik Ed D (Harvard)

Associate Professor Tracey Bunda

Mr Graeme Gower

Professor Jeannie Herbert

Dr Tamara Mackean

Professor Martin Nakata

Dr Kaye Price

Professor Boni Robertson

Professor Mark Rose

Mr Gary Shipp

Dr Maggie Walter

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Reports

Ngapartji Ngapartji – Yerra: Stronger Futures (3.48 MB)

Principles and Practices of Cultural Competency: A Review of the Literature PDF Document (195 KB), Prepared for IHEAC by Ellen Grote, PhD, August 2008

Strengthening Indigenous Research Culture in Australian Universities and Higher Education by Professor Richard James and Associate Professor Marcia Devlin, 18 May 2007

Partnerships, Pathways and Policies - Improving Indigenous Education Outcomes by Professor Richard James and Ms Marcia Devlin, - Conference Report of the Second Annual Indigenous Higher Education Conference, 18-19 September 2006.

Improving Indigenous Outcomes and Enhancing Indigenous Culture and Knowledge in Australian Higher Education by Professor Richard James and Ms Marcia Devlin, March 2006

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