Indigenous Knowledges
IRU recognises the legitimacy of Indigenous Knowledges and celebrates the significant contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to our member institutions and nation as a whole. The IRU members have many respected indigenous higher education staff. The senior members form the IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network, which meet regularly throughout the year to influence national policy development and lead IRU activities across member universities.
The members of the IRU have a long-standing commitment to be universities of choice for Indigenous students and staff. The IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Statement of Intent was signed on 24 February 2014 and launched by The Hon Alan Tudge MP, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.
The IRU Statement of Intent sets out how the IRU members will implement a whole of university approach to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and build understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and knowledge.
IRU members educate 19% of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders students. 2.2% of all our students are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders against a national parity target of 2.3% and overall sector achievement of 1.4%. 1.2% of IRU completions are by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders against overall sector achievement of 0.8%.
IRU members employ 24% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders staff working in Australian universities.
Statement of Intent
In 2013 the IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network developed a Statement of Intent which the Vice-Chancellors have subsequently endorsed.
On 24 February at Parliament House, Canberra the Statement was officially signed and launched by The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.
The IRU Statement of Intent sets out how the IRU members will implement a whole of university approach to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and building understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and knowledge.
- Download IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statement of Intent 2014
- Download Report on review of impact of Statement of Intent across IRU August 2015
IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network
The IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network work together to advance the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students across the seven member universities. This includes supporting member universities to be culturally responsive within their institutions and with regard to their local communities.
For more details about the IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network please contact the IRU secretariat by email at secretariat@iru.edu.au.
