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Friday, 29 June 2012

With NAIDOC Week to be celebrated throughout Australia from the first Sunday in July, it is fitting to reflect on our University's commitment to Indigenous Australians and to building a dynamic partnership between the University, the Aboriginal community and the broader society.

Many of you will be aware of NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) celebrations during this important week in the national calendar, recognised in some form since 1957. At its core is a celebration of Indigenous culture and heritage, but it also puts the focus on the achievements of many Indigenous Australians.

At UWA , we are serious about encouraging Indigenous students to reach their full potential. Since the establishment of our School of Indigenous Studies in 1988, more than 200 Indigenous students have graduated with degrees in Arts, Commerce, Science, Social Work, Psychology, Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences, Education and Architecture. And we have one of the best success rates nationally for encouraging Indigenous students to undertake and complete Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science.

In part that outstanding success in health-related fields is due to the comprehensive recruitment and retention program run by our Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) and the School. The program enables students to imagine medicine or a health career as a viable option, has entry pathways that respond to individual students' realities and offers support for students once they commence their studies and beyond.

The importance of Indigenous Knowledge is recognised through its inclusion as one of our University's six research strengths, most notably through the Centre for Rock-Art Research and Management. The Centre promotes collaborative projects with Indigenous organisations, helping us all to learn more about the antiquity and meaning of rock-art.

In our new course offerings too, there are a number of new courses that reflect the value we place on Indigenous Knowledge, particularly in the areas of health and wellbeing, history and heritage.

Recently two Indigenous students from our University were chosen to represent young Aboriginal Australians at the inaugural National Indigenous Youth Parliament in Canberra.

We celebrate the art and culture of Indigenous Australians in the Berndt collection of Aboriginal art and cultural materials (housed in the Dr Harold Schenberg Art Centre) and exhibitions such as the recent exhibition of men's and women's art from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands (in the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery) and the current Jimmy Pike Artlines exhibition, which I encourage all of you to see.

I urge you all, during NAIDOC week, to remember that our University is situated on Noongar land, to recognise the achievements of our Indigenous students and staff, and to acknowledge the unique culture and heritage of Aboriginal Australia.

Paul Johnson

Vice-Chancellor

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