30 May 2016
Developing more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to advance their business careers and become a new generation of leaders is the key goal of a new MBA scholarship launched at the University of South Australia this week.
The UniSA Business School initiative is a first in Australia and will be offered in partnership with industry, with costs shared 50/50.
UniSA Vice Chancellor, Professor David Lloyd says the scholarships present real opportunities for Aboriginal Australians to develop careers as leaders and senior managers in business, government and industry.
“I’m delighted to be able to announce this important initiative during Reconciliation Week,” Prof Lloyd says.
“The scholarship has been designed in close collaboration with industry to cover all tuition fees but also, to ensure employers commit to providing flexibility in working arrangements to support a study commitment and to include a career mentor and supportive career pathway options for the successful scholarship recipients.
“This gives Aboriginal people who have already shown potential, the opportunity and support to gain the skills to lead in business and also to bring some of their best ideas and plans to the table.”
Pro Vice Chancellor UniSA Business School, Prof Marie Wilson says the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MBA Scholarship is an active move to address leadership inequality and to strengthen UniSA’s role as Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander University of Choice.
“As one of Australia’s leading Business Schools this innovative offering is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering excellence, diversity and equity,” Prof Wilson says.
“It follows the launch of our Women in MBA scholarships program in 2015 and will continue to advance leadership diversity in business and industry in SA and beyond.
“If we are to deliver better opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities, we need to nurture their leaders.
“The scholarship will also ensure that we benefit from the skills and knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can bring to management and business.
“The strongest cultures are those that embrace diversity and we believe more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in the management sector will be of benefit, not only to Indigenous communities, but also to the wider community.”
UniSA’s MBA has been named in the top 10 Australian MBA programs every year since 2007 and was awarded five stars in the 2015 QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) ratings of business schools globally.
More information about the scholarships is available online.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli mobile: +61 418 823 673 email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
