Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic success set to inspire

Efforts to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in higher education and the workforce has been boosted with new content in the 'Make Your Mark' web site and a new television series, Indigenous Models of Achievement, that profiles current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and graduates.

The initiative continues the groundbreaking work of  'Bridges to Higher Education' a consortium of  NSW universities including UTS, the University of Western Sydney, the University of Sydney, Macquarie University and the Australian Catholic University. The latest initiative was delivered in collaboration with the Universities Admissions Centre NSW & ACT (UAC).

The online content and TV series target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with tailored information to improve education outcomes among communities and schools in NSW across metro, regional and remote areas. Make Your Mark was developed to complement and support significant on-the-ground work  universities are undertaking in partnership with schools and communities.

UTS Indigenous Bachelor of Design graduate Alison Page is featured in the new television series. Based in La Perouse in Sydney, her work explores links between cultural identity, art and the built environment, she has completed various projects in health, education, office design, exhibition design, cultural arts centres and public art.

“I am living proof that education breaks the cycle of poverty," Alison said. "Both sides of my family have suffered disadvantage for generations, but because of my university education, my kids have more opportunity and will be middle class.I am really proud of that.

"Industry benefits from having professionals from diverse backgrounds. I specialise in socially responsible design because I have experienced how good design can solve problems faced by communities.”

While the Kemp Norton Review of the Demand Driven System found that the demand driven system and other policies aimed at Indigenous and low socio-economic background or disadvantaged students had opened up opportunities, there are still significant issues in academic preparation, interest for higher education and high rates of course non-completion among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, those from low-socio-economic backgrounds and regional and rural communities.

Make Your Mark, which has received recognition from the Prime Minister, is aimed at a broad audience but features a range of information specifically addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students of all ages, including:

•    Information on further education options and pathways
•    Information on scholarships and financial support services
•    Profiles of recent graduates and current students (including the Indigenous Models of Achievement television series)
•    The benefits to the individual and the community of further education study

The website includes links to other resources such as The Aurora Project (Indigenous Scholarships) and the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence.

Chair of Bridges to Higher Education Annette Cairnduff said there were many questions facing students from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait background who may be the first in their family to study beyond school and that Make Your Mark offered answers on where to start.

"We know that for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, particularly those with no experience of further education, sending their child off to higher education can be daunting," Ms Cairnduff said. "Make Your Mark gives them information to explore their options.

“We are privileged to have the advice and contribution from members of the Bridges Indigenous Project Group, representing all the universities involved, to help us raise the participation rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in higher education."

Recent research by KPMG on Bridges activities has shown that engagement early in education clearly changes attitudes of both students and parents towards higher education. Across all projects targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, teachers reported that 97 per cent of students showed improvement in their learning progress after participating in Bridges activities. Furthermore, 84 per cent of students reported an increase in their academic abilities.

"We have started to gain momentum and it is important that we maintain it," Ms Cairnduff said.

The Indigenous Models of Achievement TV series has been produced by TVS and will be aired via community TV stations throughout Australia.

Bridges to Higher Education is a $21.2m initiative, funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), to improve the participation rates of students from disadvantaged communities in higher education. Bridges is a partnership to create new aspiration- and attainment-building programs and build on existing programs targeting school-age children and their parents.