Media Release

Wednesday, 25 October 2006

The University of Adelaide today is launching a strategy to help boost indigenous participation and employment across the full range of University activities.

The key objective of the strategy is to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment at all levels of academic and professional positions.

As an initial boost to the strategy, the University will fund the appointment of three academic and four professional indigenous staff and a package of postgraduate scholarships and graduate and career opportunities for indigenous people.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha, who will launch the strategy at a special celebration today, said: "The social, educational and economic disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is apparent in the continuing under-representation of indigenous people across the higher education sector.

"With our campuses on Kaurna land, with the relationships we have already forged with indigenous communities and our work through the Centre for Australian Indigenous Research and Studies, the University of Adelaide is in a unique position to take a leadership role in re-dressing this under-representation. And as one of the State's largest employers we have a responsibility to further the employment and career opportunities for indigenous people within our own organisation."

A key component of the strategy is a strong commitment to consultation and collaboration with indigenous staff and communities, external organisations and agencies representing the interests of indigenous people.

"This will be crucial in maximising employment and career development outcomes, particularly in involving communities from regional areas," said Professor McWha. "We want to ensure indigenous employees have ownership of the program, so it will be relevant and successful for others."