The following activities planned for 2008-2010 have been developed by Riawunna staff at the February 2007 Retreat.

Indigenous Higher Education (IHE) Strategies

1. Participation

Goal

Promote awareness of Riawunna's programs in Tasmania and on the mainland, to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) students at UTAS.

Activities

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

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

1.3 Convene forums to promote UTAS to Aboriginal people;

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

1.5 Director to continue involvement in state and national fora pertaining to IHE programs

1.6 Explore the development of exchange opportunities for Indigenous students in rural and remote communities

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

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

1.9 Conduct careers camps for Aboriginal students in years 10-12

1.10 Provide staff to support Aboriginal students in the North-West region and assist with delivery of the Aboriginal Studies program.

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

1.12 Appoint Aboriginal elders as mentors

1.13 Develop foundation programs in consultation with other schools/faculties

1.14 Continue Springboard to college bursaries

1.15 Continue Riawunna accommodation bursaries and scholarships

1.16 Maintain resource centres and computing infrastructure on Hobart and Launceston Campuses

1.17 Provide resources to support students on the Cradle Coast campus

1.18 Deliver ITAS to students on all campuses

1.19 Develop recruitment strategies and pathways to increase enrolment in Research Higher Degree programs.

1.20 Director to continue involvement in state and national for a pertaining to Indigenous Higher Education.

1.21 Explore the development of exchange opportunities for ATSI students in rural/remote communities.

1.22 Continue to support and expand the Riawunna Alumni.

2. Academic Success

Goal

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

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

Activities

2.1 See 1.18

2.2 See 1.17

2.3 See 1.16

2.4 See 1.15

2.5 See 1.19

2.6 Continue the Murina program and support other pathway programs offered by UTAS.

2.7 Maintain social, cultural and educational environment conducive to engaging ATSI students.

2.8 Facilitate a range of germane extra curricula activities to enhance social networks and relationships.

2.9 Create and maintain inter-collaborative networks within and without UTAS.

3. Cultural Awareness

Goal

Promote knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Australians cultures and histories

Activities

3.1  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

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

3.3 Promote Aboriginal Studies to international students through the forthcoming Graduate Certificate in Arts

3.4  Promote Aboriginal Studies to UTAS students

3.5 Negotiate for the inclusion of core Aboriginal Studies units in other programs and courses such as Health and Education

3.6  Continued delivery of the ‘Come Walk With Us' program

3.7 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

4. Research

Goal

Expand Riawunna research activity (through publications, conference presentations and national competitive grants).

Activities

4.1 Co-hosting of research seminar series

4.2  Support 2 nd Elder in Residence publication

4.3 Provide research skills workshops for Aboriginal community members

4.4 Upgrade staff research skills as appropriate through ACSPRI summer and winter schools and EDGE Agenda opportunities.

4.5  Provide mentoring for early career researchers.

•4.6 Support Riawunna researchers to engage in scholarly research and publication, especially on relevant theme areas.

5. Aboriginal Studies Program Strategies

Teaching

Goal

Formulate and deliver an Aboriginal Studies programme committed to academic freedom, creativity, critical scholarship and rigour. We will continue to develop as a broadly based cross-disciplinary enquiry that draws on both the contemporary theories and established traditions of the Humanities and the Social Sciences.

Activities

5.1 To maintain and develop sufficient units to offer a major in Aboriginal Studies with adequate range and flexibility to be attractive to students

5.2  To maintain and further develop the Honours programme in Aboriginal Studies

5.3  Progress discussions re the inclusion of core Aboriginal Studies units in other programs and courses such as Health Sciences and Education

6. Research

Goal

Individually and collaboratively generate original research committed to the expansion of the body of knowledge pertinent to Aboriginal Studies and cognate fields.

Activities

6.1   Maintain and further develop the RHD programme

6.2  Lodge at least two (2) grant applications annually

6.2  Include Faculty research requirement into performance management of all academic staff

6.3  Appoint Honorary Research Associates to assist Riawunna staff to increase research activity

6.4 Support Riawunna researchers to engage in scholarly research and publication, especially on relevant theme areas

6.5  Introduce two dedicated scholarships under auspice of Chair, Professor Henry Reynolds.

6.6  Collaborate and participate in research projects with other Schools, Faculties, Centres, Institutes and Research units

6.7  Utilise expertise of Prof Reynolds to support Early Career Researchers.

7. Governance

Goal

Continue Riawunna's productive participation and advocacy in the broader university politik.

Activities

7.1 Ensure Riawunna representation on School, Faculty and University-wide committees

7.2  Facilitate the dissemination of information to staff from committee members

7.2  Continue regular whole-of-school staff meetings

7.3  Assist with the development of an Indigenous Governance Policy for UTAS

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