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  8. Beyond the Guest Paradigm

'Beyond the Guest Paradigm: Toward a new Dreaming of Australian Aboriginal Higher Education', presented by Professor Bob Morgan (16 May 2018)

This presentation explored the history of Aboriginal higher education in Australia.

Australian Aboriginal higher education has a relatively recent history, largely commencing in the early ‘80s following the establishment of academic and cultural support programs, commonly referred to as ‘Aboriginal enclaves’. Today a new era of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and research has emerged, one that has the potential to redefine the nature and scope of the relationship that Aboriginal peoples have with the academy.

The presentation revealed how universities can move beyond the ‘Guest Paradigm’ wherein hegemonic control and subtle measures of mainstreaming imperatives defines the relationship between the community and the academy.

An overview of existing and aspirational models of global Indigenous higher education was shared and options for the provision of a more culturally affirming and intellectually engaging higher education space will be considered.

The presentation concluded by advocating a new and reinvigorated model of Indigenous higher education, a model underpinned by a negotiated accord between the community and the academy by giving effect to the principles of self-determination, a negotiated partnership, reciprocity and within the framework of cultural affirmation and academic excellence.

Professor Bob MorganProfessor Morgan is a Gumilaroi man from Walgett western NSW. He is a highly respected and acknowledged Aboriginal educator/researcher who has worked extensively throughout Australia and internationally in the field of Aboriginal knowledge and learning for over thirty (40) years.  During this period Professor Morgan served as the inaugural President of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, a member of the National Aboriginal Education Committee, as Commissioner with the NSW Education Commission (1980-1986) and as a board member of the NSW Anti Discrimination Board (1980-1986).

Professor Morgan has an indivisible commitment to the principles of Aboriginal self-determination and social and restorative justice. He is a regular contributing speaker and facilitator to workshops and conferences on Aboriginal/Indigenous education and training, reconciliation and other social justice matters including Aboriginal youth suicide, community capacity strengthening and Aboriginal men's health and Indigenous health and wellbeing.

Professor Morgan is particularly interested in and advocates the need for the design and development of culturally safe, contextual and affirming environments to better accommodate and respond to the socioeconomic and cultural needs and aspirations of Aboriginal peoples. His involvement and experience with Aboriginal education and training is shaped and influenced by his many years of senior leadership at the state, national and international levels of Aboriginal education policy and programming development.

In recognition of his commitment and contributions to international Indigenous education rights and freedoms Professor Morgan has Chaired and/or served on numerous Community Boards and Committees. In 2007 Professor Morgan was invited to be a keynote speaker to the National Indian Education Association hosted in Hawaii in October 2007. He has also presented at numerous other international Aboriginal/Indigenous education seminars and conferences.

Professor Morgan is currently Chair of the Board of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Education and Research (BATSIER) with the University of Newcastle. Professor Morgan was appointed as a Visiting Professor with Minzu University , Beijing, China in 2015.

In 2014, during the World Indigenous People’s Conference: Education (WIPCE) Professor Morgan was unanimously elected to the position of inaugural Chair of the International Council of the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE). Professor Morgan was reelected to this position in 2017 at the WIPCE Conference held in Toronto, Canada.

The information provided above is a general overview of a selection of the positions and activities with which Professor Morgan has been involved during his long and distinguished history of involvement and leadership in Aboriginal/Indigenous education and training.