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The way forward – strategies for 2005-2007

The following activities planned for 2005-2007 have been endorsed by the Riawunna Board and will also be monitored and evaluated by the Board:

Participation

Goal

Increase awareness of Riawunna's programs within the Aboriginal communities in Tasmania and on the mainland, to increase participation of Aboriginal students at the University.

Activity

  • Increase Aboriginal participation and raise the profile of Riawunna's programs at University Open Days;

  • Participate in Careers Expo activities in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie;

  • Convene regional forums to promote the University to the Aboriginal community;

  • Visit other Indigenous Higher Education centres to investigate collaborative programs and to promote unique study opportunities available in Tasmania .

  • Develop cross sector marketing strategy and products including videos and flyers to improve pathways between schooling and further education and training.

  • In association with the University's planing section, develop data reporting and analysis systems to enable more accurate understanding of Indigenous students' performance.

  • Conduct Health Careers camps for Aboriginal students in years 10-12.

  • Appoint staff to provide support to Aboriginal students in the North-West region and assist with delivery of Aboriginal Studies program.

  • Create two cadetship positions within Riawunna to assist with marketing and promotion.

Academic Success

Goal 1

Maintain and improve good performance in Aboriginal student enrolment, retention and completion.

UTAS continues to consistently perform above the national average as shown in the table below.

 
Access
Participation
Retention
Success
2000
1.9%
0.67%
0.84%
0.85%
2001
2.1%
1.94%
0.80%
0.85%
2002
2.0%
1.15%
0.94%
0.88%
2003
2.2%
1.82%
0.72%
0.77%
2004
1.60%
1.57%
0.80%
0.89%
National
1.41%
1.22%
0.77%
0.76%


Goal 2

Host a national forum to discuss Aboriginal pedagogical frameworks for teaching Aboriginal Studies.

Activity

  • Develop and progress a national network of academics concerned with the teaching of Aboriginal studies at the tertiary level.

Cultural Awareness


Goal

Increase awareness of Indigenous Australian people and their culture and history.

Activity

  • Riawunna will continue to contribute to the University staff development program aimed at increasing staff awareness of the diversity of the student population and issues that affect Indigenous success in higher education.

  • Continue to support NAIDOC and Sorry Day activities on campuses including development of a lecture series.

  • Promote Aboriginal Studies to international students through the development of Honours in Australian Studies.

  • Collaborate with state Department of Education's Aboriginal Education Unit to jointly develop an on-line Aboriginal Studies Resource for use by teachers and student teachers to assist them in preparation and delivery of Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum for years K-12.

Research

Goal

Bearing in mind the small number of staff within the Centre, expand Riawunna staff and student participation in research activity, as measured by publications, conference presentations and national competitive grants applications/awards.

Activity

  • Co-hosting of research seminar series.

  • Continue support for the Elder in Residence program to facilitate recording of oral histories.

  • 2 nd Elder in Residence publication.

  • Provide research skills workshops for Aboriginal community members.

  • Develop recruitment strategies and pathways to increase enrolment in Riawunna Research higher degree programs.

  • Upgrade staff research skills through ACSPRI summer and winter schools and EDGE Agenda opportunities as part of their staff development program.

  • Inclusion of Faculty research requirement into performance management of all staff.

  • Lodge at least two (2) grant applications annually.

  • Provide mentoring for early career researchers.

  • Support Riawunna researchers to engage in scholarly research and publication, especially on the community and change theme area.

  • Appoint Honorary Research associates to assist Riawunna staff to increase research activity.

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