PVC- Indigenous Strategy UNSWIS_Final_SIGN OFF_18 October 2018 low res for | Page 12

A place of learning
and innovation…
Grow our Own
Australia-wide there is momentum towards increasing
the numbers of Indigenous students and staff
at university. State funding from the department
responsible for Indigenous Affairs, Prime Minister and
Cabinet, requires universities to set targets to increase
Indigenous student and staff numbers.
UNSW is successful in student enrolment because it is
measured in its approach to recruitment and retention.
Nura Gili pioneered the best-practice nationally to
ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
are recruited and graduate. This includes a substantial
commitment to pastoral care. Research and university
administration often require decades of hands-on
experience for qualification including support for
Indigenous researchers and recognition of service to
the community.
It is not easy to meet targets, and for this reason,
UNSW has adopted a Grow our Own strategy.
PVCI will work closely with Nura Gili and faculties to
ensure the increase of students and staff occurs at
a sustainable rate and that we are “growing our own”
Indigenous academics and technical staff. The other
pillars of the strategy complement this by creating a
supportive environment for Indigenous students and
staff. Focusing solely on hard targets for recruitment of
students and staff will not lead to substantive change
in universities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people. A holistic approach is required.
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