opening page ornament

The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success acknowledges Indigenous peoples across Australia as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the nation’s campuses are situated. With a history spanning more than 60,000 years as the original educators, Indigenous peoples hold a unique place in our nation. We recognise the importance of their knowledge and culture, and reflect the principles of participation, equity, and cultural respect in our work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future, and consider it an honour to learn from our Indigenous colleagues, partners, and friends.

You are reading: Pathway Programs and Indigenous Student University Completion Symposium

Event information

About the event:

This symposium brings university stakeholders from around the country into conversation about strategies to improve pathway and enabling programs for Indigenous students to support their transition into and through university to completion. Completion rates for Indigenous students remain significantly lower than non-Indigenous students. Pathway and enabling programs (with curriculum that develop core academic skills required for entry into undergraduate study) are central to preparing and transitioning Indigenous students into university and are correlated with above average Indigenous undergraduate retention. However, evidence of the impact of these programs in relation to supporting university completion is limited.

The symposium aims to deepen our understanding of success factors for Indigenous students in pathway programs and strengthen a network of influential stakeholders with a focus on addressing the issue of low completion rates.

This symposium is part of an ACSES funded project led by Prof Bronwyn Fredericks (DVC Indigenous Engagement, The University of Queensland) and the team is undertaking the project in collaboration with an Indigenous advisory group. The outcomes of the project have significant potential to improve pathway and enabling programs and increase Indigenous student completions across Australia by building the evidence base about success factors for pathway and enabling programs, what is working and where the gaps are in translating Indigenous students’ participation into completion.

Event details:

The event will run from 10am to 3pm (AEST) and will include an outline of the project, student success stories and pathways, and group discussions with attendees.

Morning tea and lunch provided.

A Zoom link will be provided if attending via online.

For more information contact:

A/Prof Katelyn Barney, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, The University of Queensland

E: k.barney@uq.edu.au