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Supporting Indigenous Educational Aspirations
6 January 2006
The number of Indigenous students enrolled at the University has
been increasing steadily in recent years and there will be over 60
students on campus in 2006. The number of graduates is poised to
grow substantially too. We anticipate four graduates for 2005 but
expect the number to be 17 in 2006. USC Indigenous student
retention and success rates have been at, or above, the national
indicators since 2002, however, participation, retention and
success rates for Indigenous students are below those of
non-Indigenous students. This is something we are committed to
changing.
Guidance on policy and strategic issues is provided by the
Indigenous Advisory Committee. Membership of the Committee includes
five Indigenous community members, the Indigenous Services Officer
and an Indigenous student. In July 2005, the University invited Mr
Michael Williams to Chair the committee. Mr Williams is a senior
member of the Indigenous community and Director of the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit at the University of
Queensland. He is also a Member of the USC Council, ensuring a
close link between University governance and the activities of the
Indigenous Advisory Committee.
Direct support for students is synchronised by the Indigenous
Services Officer (ISO). The ISO is the first point of call for most
Indigenous students and the position monitors student progress and
the success of support programs. A key role involves the
coordination of tutors under the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance
Scheme (ITAS). The Indigenous Services Officer also liaises with
schools and the community to encourage young Indigenous people to
recognise tertiary education as an option.
An initiative is the employment of an Indigenous Cadetships and
Graduate Employment Officer, funded through the Commonwealth
Government. This position will facilitate closer ties between
students and employers and through the cadetship program ensure
financial support, in addition to work experience, during degree
level study.
An Indigenous room has been established as a meeting place and
there is also a study room with computers and textbooks. With the
guidance of the Indigenous Advisory Committee, these facilities
will be further developed into the Buranga Centre, which will be
part of the new Administration Building to be constructed in 2006.
The Centre will be a focus for Indigenous student activities, as
well as a reference point for the local Indigenous community.
One program that has potential for facilitating greater
participation in post-secondary education by the Sunshine Coast's
young people is Headstart. It gives Year 11 and Year 12 students
the opportunity to study an undergraduate course while still at
school. Importantly, this program gives high school students a
taste of university life and helps prepare them for future study.
Around half USC's students are the first in their family to attend
university and the ratio must be much higher for our Indigenous
students. Headstart builds student confidence in coping
successfully with university. To date, Indigenous participation in
Headstart has been very limited but three Indigenous students have
applied, and been granted Headstart Scholarships, for Semester 1,
2006.
Another initiative that should make an impact on participation
rates is the introduction of a Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP)
in Semester 2, 2006. TPPs provide a semester of intensive study
geared at university entrance for students who have not had the
opportunity to successfully complete Year 12 in the past, or who
are not confident about their ability to manage degree level study.
The Indigenous Advisory Committee is looking at ways of providing
appropriate support to the Indigenous people who will enter this
program.
There is a lot going on at USC to improve Indigenous
participation and educational outcomes. It is an area where the
University has the potential to make a real difference to society
and the future wellbeing of the Sunshine Coast's Indigenous
peoples.
Professor Greg Hill is Acting Vice-Chancellor at the
University of the Sunshine Coast in the absence of Professor
Thomas.