We respectfully acknowledge the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla First Nations Peoples and their Elders past and present, who are the First Nations’ traditional owners of the lands that are now home to the University of South Australia’s campuses in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Whyalla.
Throughout this page, the term ‘Aboriginal’ refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, collectively.
UniSA is the University of Choice for Aboriginal People. Since its founding, UniSA has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to Aboriginal engagement through its founding act and important initiatives such as the Aboriginal Taskforce, Australia’s first Aboriginal Tertiary Program, and Aboriginal Studies programs. UniSA was the first university in South Australia to have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), a guiding document to advance reconciliation across the organisation. Professor Irene Watson, the University’s inaugural Pro Vice Chancellor: Aboriginal Leadership and Strategy and David Unaipon Chair has led the development of our second RAP, in which we commit to the objectives of the Universities Australia Indigenous Strategy, 2017-2020.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
At its core, the Stretch RAP is student-centric. Supporting Aboriginal students to achieve success which is centred on providing a culturally safe and appropriate environment, one in which students can see tangible evidence of the University’s commitment to a two-way relationship with Aboriginal People. The breadth of deliverables, from advancing student outcomes, building cultural awareness amongst staff and students, and enhancing Aboriginal research and its impact, speak to the whole of university approach that is fundamental to providing a culturally safe space in which our students can succeed.
UniSA is committed to strengthening our position as the University of Choice for Aboriginal People by creating an environment where both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people can learn, teach, research and engage with each other in a place that acknowledges, respects and learns from Aboriginal People and their unique knowledges. We understand that this requires an authentic two-way approach to engagement and relationships with Aboriginal People and organisations.
Aboriginal Research Strategy
The Aboriginal Research Strategy 2019 - 2025 is a significant milestone for the University and one of the cornerstone commitments within our Reconciliation Action Plan. The Aboriginal Research Strategy is designed to grow Aboriginal Research and guide staff engagement with Aboriginal Peoples. It has been informed and shaped by engagement with both Aboriginal Elders across South Australia and UniSA staff.
The Strategy was launched at UniSA Research Day in November 2019, at which UniSA Elder in Residence, David Rathman, AM, PSM, FIML gave the keynote speech. An audio recording of Uncle David's speech is available here.
The Strategy positions UniSA nationally, by clearly articulating a two-way knowledges approach and identifying actions which enable the strategy to be embedded across the research space. The Aboriginal Research Strategy supports the inspired and partnered excellence in the University's Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation for 2016 - 2020.
View UniSA's Aboriginal Research Strategy
Yurirka: Proppa Engagement with Aboriginal Peoples
Yurirka: Proppa Engagement with Aboriginal Peoples is a guide designed for the University of South Australia’s staff and students. It is a valuable resource in our shared commitment to work, engage and partner respectfully with Aboriginal Peoples.
We hope that users of this guide will take away a better understanding of respectful ways of being and a strong grasp of the proppa protocols of engagement with Aboriginal Peoples, to allow the space and opportunity for improved and genuine relationships.
We hope that the educational resource will inform users’ knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, cultures, and Peoples.
The creation of this document was a collaborative initiative that involved Aboriginal Elders groups, and many members of the UniSA Community; and we thank everyone involved for their valuable contributions. This guide is a beginning and has potential to grow in the future.
Student Engagement
Wirringka Student Services offers Aboriginal students a friendly, comfortable and supportive place to study on each campus. There is an Aboriginal Student Engagement Officer on each campus who is available to answer questions and provide assistance with navigating your University experience, applying for scholarships, and pursuing your academic goals.
The Aboriginal Tutoring Program (ATP) offers Aboriginal students free access to qualified tutors with skills and experience in a wide range of study and research areas. Tuition includes areas including program content, time management, academic writing, essay planning and referencing skills.
Aboriginal Pathway Program (APP) is a one and a half year program that supports students with no previous qualifications for university study. The program is open to all people who identify as Aboriginal and can lead to entry into a university degree at the University of South Australia.
Our Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) Performance Reports
Previous reports:
2020 ISSP Report | 2019 ISSP Report | 2018 ISSP Report | 2017 ISSP Report
Staff and Employment
UniSA has a long-standing aim that Aboriginal Peoples comprise at least 2% of its workforce and is committed to improving employment opportunities, supporting professional development, and creating a culturally safe and supportive workplace for Aboriginal staff members. Our workforce participation target is guided by an array of policies and a rolling employment strategy; Yaitya Warpulai Tappa (Aboriginal Work Path).
Partnerships
Aboriginal MBA Scholarships
UniSA is proud to offer the Aboriginal MBA (AMBA) Scholarship in partnership with industry. It is well known that a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a pathway to leadership and career progression. Our dedicated scholarships actively address leadership inequality and champion Aboriginal Australians with leadership potential, to advance their careers into senior management and executive roles.
Organisations that partner with us on this initiative show their commitment to achieve equality in leadership, support the growth of the talent pipeline and foster positive economic growth for the nation.
AIME
Since 2013, UniSA has partnered with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) to provide a mentoring program that supports Aboriginal high school students to develop the skills, opportunities, belief and confidence in their cultural safety to finish school. Every year, hundreds of Aboriginal high school students are mentored by UniSA volunteer mentors. Guided by the values of ‘Indigenous = Success’ and ‘No Shame at AIME’, AIME have demonstrated their ability to dramatically improve the number of Aboriginal students that finish school. In 2015, UniSA’s long-term commitment to the partnership with AIME was consolidated through the signing of a 10-year Mutual Statement of Commitment.
GO Foundation
UniSA GO Scholarships recognise outstanding academic merit by high-achieving Aboriginal students seeking to study at the University in a range of programs. Adam Goodes’ and Mick O’Loughlin’s GO Foundation partners with organisations to create opportunities for Aboriginal youth through education. The UniSA GO scholarship ($6000 a year, up to four years) expands the work of GO Foundation with the support of the South Australian Government.
Indigenous Defence Consortium
UniSA and the Indigenous Defence Consortium are collaborating to create opportunities and pipelines for Aboriginal students to enter the Aboriginal business sector. Through this partnership, UniSA is supporting skills development in areas such as science and systems engineering, business administration, supply chain management, business marketing and growth and entrepreneurship.
Reconciliation
UniSA is committed to promoting reconciliation to deepen the respect and relationships between Aboriginal People and other groups within the university. We understand that reconciliation encourages cultural change that will deliver better opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal staff and students.
The first time a Vice Chancellor has been welcomed to South Australian lands by the traditional owners at a university graduation ceremony.
