Riawunna Centre offers a wide range of services to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students and their communities in Tasmania. There are centres located on both the Hobart and Launceston campuses and student support officers are situated on the Cradle Coast Campus.
Riawunna assists all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students who are studying at the University of Tasmania.
The ITAS program provides supplementary tuition to support eligible Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students studying university award level courses.
Tutoring is available for up to two hours per week per subject, and up to five additional hours during examination preparation breaks. Tutors are usually university students at second year level or higher and many are post-graduates with expertise in their fields of study.
Once students are matched to a tutor for their subject they then arrange to meet weekly for tutoring sessions. Places are set aside for ITAS tutoring in each Riawunna Centre.
Students: Grade 11 and 12 Indigenous students who are planning to study at university can get help and support from a mentor who already a successful university student. If you would like to be matched with a mentor please contact an Indigenous Higher Education Officer at the campus closest (NEW WINDOW) to you.
Mentors: If you are a tertiary student at or above second year level and you have an understanding of and sensitivity towards the needs of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students you can express interest in becoming a mentor to grade 11 & 12 Indigenous students who are planning to come to university.
To register complete the Mentoring Expression of Interest (PDF 788.9KB) form.
Special note: ‘karni’ means talk and ‘mapali’ mans lots of. These words were provided to us by a Tasmanian Aboriginal Community member.
Murina is a preparation program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are thinking of doing university studies and who feel they might need some extra learning and support before they begin their degree studies.
Murina is designed to help beginning students in two ways. First, Murina offers ‘taster’ units to familiarise students with the types of teaching and learning they will encounter in degree subjects. Second, Murina helps to build learning, communication, and writing and computer skills and gets you ready for university study.
Murina students study the units they need in their own tailored pathway. They can take one or more Murina units, as well as University Preparation Units (UPP) to build skills and confidence. They may also be eligible to undertake first year Associate Degree units if their enrolment is accepted.
To find out more about Murina Preparation Pathway download the 2012 Murina Information Booklet (coming soon) or contact an Indigenous Higher Education Officer at the campus closest to you.
Special note: ‘Murina’ means path and has been sourced from, A Word-List of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Languages, by N.J.B. Plomley, Launceston, Foot & Playsted Pty Ltd, 1976, p.373.
Orientation marks the beginning of semester for new students and is designed to help you settle into university. During Orientation Week you will be provided with information to fully prepare you for the start of your university career, in addition to an introduction to the services and facilities available on each campus. All new UTAS students are encouraged to get involved and make the most of it.
This is a day held before Orientation Week each semester when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can visit our Centre, tour the university campus, meet the Riawunna staff and find out more about programs and support for Indigenous students. The day also provides the opportunity to assess your readiness for study and to register for support programs.
Leearway dates for 2012
Semester 1
Hobart - 15th February, 2012
Launceston - 16th February, 2012
Cradle Coast - 17th February, 2012
Semester 2
Cradle Coast - 11th July, 2012
Launceston - 12th July, 2012
Hobart - 13th July, 2012
Special note: ‘leearway’ means open and has been sourced from, A Word-List of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Languages, by N.J.B. Plomley, Launceston, Foot & Playsted Pty Ltd, 1976, p.337.
Riawunna Centres have a unique reference collection of books, articles, audiovisual and cultural materials for use by university students and staff and members of the Aboriginal community. Low cost photocopying facilities are also available.