The Federal Government has opened the Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal ad Torres Strait Islander People for public consultation.

 

Minister for Tertiary Education Senator Chris Evans and Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr today launched public consultations for the Review, saying the Government recognises that this participation is well below acceptable levels.

 

“I look forward to hearing from the higher education sector and broader community on how they view the current outcomes, on what’s working and what they think needs to change,” Senator Evans said.

 

“Higher education is central to building the capacity of Indigenous communities and facilitating the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the professional life of the nation.”

 

The feedback received during the consultation process will inform the panel which is currently leading the review. The panel has been tasked with examining the participation rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people In the higher education sector, both as students and as staff.

 

The panel wll report back to the Federal Government with planned measures to improve outcomes for students, researchers and academic and non-academic staff.

 

Research will focus on approaches to increasing participation, retention and completion of Indigenous students. It will also focus on the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in universities, particularly in academic and research roles, and the recognition of Indigenous knowledges within the academy.

 

Submissions close on Friday 18 November 2011. Information on how to make a submission can be found at: http://deewr.gov.au/IHER.