CDU launches Indigenous education plan

A new plan that aims to support Indigenous people to achieve academic success was launched during Charles Darwin University’s recent Learning and Teaching Week.

The CDU Indigenous Learning and Teaching Plan outlines strategies aimed at Indigenous student retention by increasing the number of Indigenous students who complete tertiary education, streamlining the transition from vocational education and training (VET) into higher education, and encouraging more Indigenous people to pursue postgraduate study.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership Professor Steven Larkin said the plan identified the importance of the development and implementation of academic teaching practices that are inclusive of Indigenous students’ learning needs.

“Making sure we deliver positive outcomes for Indigenous learners is everyone’s business,” Professor Larkin said. “This plan outlines how Indigenous students can be supported in curriculum that is taught throughout the university, not just in Indigenous-related courses.

“CDU’s teaching staff will be armed with an understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems, which will grow their confidence and cultural competence when developing teaching strategies.

“Integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into every unit of every course offered by CDU will also benefit non-Indigenous students, as they will gain experience in looking at their chosen discipline from other perspectives.”

Outcomes of the plan will include appointing Indigenous practitioners on course advisory or reference groups, and developing course content that addresses disciplines in relation to Indigenous people.

Learning and Teaching Week also included presentations, workshops and online sessions, expanding lecturers’ knowledge, teaching practice and scholarship around learning and teaching in the VET and higher education sectors.