Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

University participation and success rates for Indigenous Australians are less than 50% of those of their non-indigenous peers. Three years of structural change in one university enabled strong improvements in outcomes. This paper reports a case study of practice and initiatives at one Australian university which established a university-wide program of activity and engagement in response to the poor educational experience of students, communities, and staff. Increasing awareness, knowledge, education, and engaged experience of all staff and students at the university required radical change in structures, practices, goals, and physical infrastructure. The resulting improvements in enrolments, educational outcomes, staff numbers, and experience of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is reported. This paper explores the research about Aboriginal engagement and success and adds to this research with new insights about practices and outcomes which enhance education and work for Indigenous peoples.