A first of its kind faculty for Indigenous knowledges and culture will be opening it’s doors next year.
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) says the newly announced faculty will expand current research programs into Indigenous knowledges and culture for all students.
The Australian first faculty, will have a focus on a partnership with external stakeholders, particularly with community organisations in order to ensure an environment can be created to celebrate, recognise and support Indigenous excellence.
The new faculty will sit alongside the faculties of Business and Law, Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, Engineering, Health, and Science.
It comes as the federal government has pledged funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to boost their participation in tertiary education.
QUT says it’s looking to double the current number of Indigenous students over the next five years.
QUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Sheil, says the faculty will be pivotal in engaging with students going forward.
“We recognise the importance of hearing and supporting Indigenous voices in our university and to encourage more students, we need to offer further welcoming spaces of learning and support.
The development of a dedicated Faculty of Indigenous Knowledges and Culture will be an Australian-first and further signal the QUT commitment to provide a focussed academic home to drive change and provide a high-profile connection point for community, scholars and students.”
Quandamooka woman, and Queensland’s Minister for Treaty and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts, Leanne Enoch, says she is looking forward to working with the University to ensure the faculty’s succsess.
Woppaburra woman, and QUT’s Indigenous Australians Vice-Chancellor Angela Barney-Leitch, says the new faculty will incubate and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence and innovation.
The faculty will launch next year and will start taking students in 2025.
Image Credit Kgbo Via Wikimedia Commons
