The University of Queensland (UQ) Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) recently hosted its inaugural First Nations Alumni Dinner, to celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of its Indigenous alumni and the excellence of high-achieving Indigenous students undertaking degrees in Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology.
Held as part of NAIDOC week, Indigenous alumni and students at the dinner had the opportunity to hear from key UQ and Faculty leaders about the university’s commitment to increasing participation, success, and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Speakers at the event included, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), Professor Sue Harrison, Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) and Associate Professor Stephanie Gilbert, Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement), Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS).
UQ is home to nearly 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, with almost 50 enrolled in EAIT programs and 23 students currently supported by scholarships.
Professor Sue Harrison said the Faculty of EAIT will be partnering with stakeholders both at UQ and externally in support of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap goal to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have completed a tertiary qualification to 70 per cent by 2031.
“By investing in key Indigenous staff resources to support students, school visits and on-campus opportunities for prospective students, together with a UQ-wide program to embed Indigenous content and perspectives into the curriculum, we expect to see a gradual increase in Indigenous representation amongst our student cohorts in the coming years,” Professor Harrison said.
In September of 2024, the Faculty will host an immersive on-campus experience in engineering for Indigenous high school students. The program will pilot a wider initiative to engage students in hands-on engineering activities, build self-confidence and future career aspirations. The EAIT Faculty has recently appointed a new Indigenous Outreach Officer, Rennae Hopkins, to lead this new initiative and provide ongoing support to the Faculty’s current, and prospective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), Professor Bronwyn Fredericks said, “I support the initiatives and programs that EAIT is championing which complement those being undertaken across the University to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and support, such as the InspireU Program and the Indigenising the Curriculum Working Party led by the UQ Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation, along with the work being undertaken by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit (ATSISU)”.
“I look forward to seeing an uplift in engagement and support activities in the Faculty of EAIT with Indigenous peoples, which will result in an uplift for Indigenous student outcomes and outcomes for communities. The EAIT Faculty has much to offer all communities, and I’m really pleased to see how they are working towards them reaching out to Indigenous peoples,” Professor Fredericks said.
UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement)
Looking ahead, the EAIT Faculty plans to make the First Nations Alumni Dinner an annual event to strengthen and expand a supportive and engaged community amongst First Nations scholars past and present, creating a strong support network for future generations.
UQ Engineering alumnus, Mr David Corporal who was an attendee at this year’s dinner said, “It is very important that First Nations alumni continue to have opportunities to connect with one another.”
“Building a strong alumni network enhances the ability for graduates to engage in knowledge sharing, mentorship, and menteeship amongst others who have first-hand felt the struggles and triumphs of being a First Nations graduate” he said.
