Curtin University’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS) is partnering with UniReady to transform its enabling courses, ensuring Indigenous students have access to the support they need to succeed at university.
The partnership will see CAS Indigenous Tertiary Enabling Program students undertaking a number of units with UniReady, Curtin’s largest enabling program. The new one-semester course is designed to help prepare Indigenous students for university degree programs.
Linking with Curtin’s existing Bridging the Gap project, the new support program will include cultural exchange field trips, camps, life coaching and tutoring, along with scholarships and emergency funds for urgent financial assistance.
Part funding for the Bridging the Gap project is coming from Curtin Foundation’s Give to Change program. The Foundation aims to provide $30,000 towards the project, with $18,000 already raised through staff donations.
CAS Director, Professor Marion Kickett said the program would add value to students’ first university experiences, so they were better equipped when entering degree courses.
“Education is the single largest factor that improves Indigenous employment and career outcomes, so it is important we have the right resources to attract Indigenous people into tertiary education,” Professor Kickett said.
“The partnership will also see other UniReady students complete an Aboriginal Studies unit within CAS to develop their own awareness of the Aboriginal culture, something which is becoming increasingly important to leading employers.”
CAS is also working with Curtin’s Faculty of Science and Engineering to increase its number of Indigenous students. A maths unit is now included in the program and students who successfully complete the unit may be able to enter certain science undergraduate courses, which lead to engineering studies at Curtin.
For more information on the Centre for Aboriginal Studies and its courses visit www.karda.curtin.edu.au
