Mike Verzosa
14 March 2024: The University of Canberra announced a new three-year Indigenous Leadership Strategy 2024-2026 this week, providing the framework for a whole-of-university approach to recognising the respect and inclusion of Indigenous people, knowledge, and cultures.
The Strategy is the result of more than 60 consultation sessions with staff, students, alumni and community members. It emphasises the importance of the Indigenous community beyond the University, and the essential role community plays in how the University approaches its governance structures, education, research and community engagement.
“As a university, UC has a proud history of seeking connection with community. We know that by these connections, we can deliver better results,” said Professor Lucy Johnston, Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra.
“Indigenous business is everyone’s business. We explicitly want to increase Indigenous enrolments and completions, attract more Indigenous staff, and deliver more research outcomes that matter to Indigenous communities.
“We expect every UC student to graduate with a better understanding of Indigenous culture as a result of their experience here, and likewise, we expect every staff member to learn and have the opportunity to engage in Indigenous leadership.”
The Strategy will showcase the University’s commitment to improving the outcomes for Indigenous students, staff, partners, and communities through an ‘Outside-In’ approach, and has been designed to align with the University’s decadal strategy, Connected.
“As part of UC’s commitment to community and as a critical element in a successful community-led strategy, we will keep talking to people inside and outside the UC community, so that we can work together to create the best pathways forward,” said Professor Maree Meredith, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership at the University.
“This Strategy marks a new future for the University, its relationship with Indigenous people and communities, and its capacity to drive positive change.
“Last year’s Referendum yet again demonstrated that Indigenous Australians can’t achieve change without our non-Indigenous allies. Indigenous Australians only make up three per cent of the population, and without building understanding, and sharing knowledge and experience, we will not achieve change.”
Images by Liam Budge, video by John Masiello.
