Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council

Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council

Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC)

About IHEAC

The third Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC) provides policy advice to the Australian Government on higher education, research and research training issues in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education students and staff. IHEAC’s terms of reference provide further information on its roles and responsibilities.

The current membership of IHEAC includes:

  • Professor Steve Larkin, Charles Darwin University, Chair 
  • Professor Aileen Moreton–Robinson, Queensland University of Technology, Deputy Chair 
  • Professor Ian Anderson, University of Melbourne
  • Ms Geraldine Atkinson, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc.
  • Associate Professor Ngiare Brown, University of Sydney 
  • Professor Paul Chandler, University of Wollongong 
  • Associate Professor Sue Green, University of New South Wales 
  • Mr Russell Taylor, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  • Dr Irene Watson, University of South Australia
  • Mr Asmi Wood, Australian National University

The current IHEAC Council has met seven times:

  1. In Melbourne on 5 and 6 November, 2009.
  2. In Canberra on 22 and 23 February, 2010 .
  3. In Darwin on 17 and 18 June, 2010.
  4. In Sydney on 8 and 9 November, 2010.
  5. In Canberra on 1 and 2 February, 2011.
  6. In Canberra on the 28 and 29 June 2011
  7. In Canberra on 9 November 2011

National Indigenous Higher Education Workforce Strategy

On 28 June 2011, the National Indigenous Higher Education Workforce Strategy (NIHEWS) was launched by the IHEAC.

The NIHEWS seeks to build Indigenous representation in the higher education sector, with a particular emphasis on increasing the number of Indigenous academic employees.

It contains four core policy objectives:

    • to enhance employment pathways for existing Indigenous employees;
    • to increase new employment opportunities for Indigenous people;
    • to develop a working environment appropriate to the needs of Indigenous people; and
    • to improve university community engagement and outreach with Indigenous communities.

Submissions prepared by the current Council (2009 - 2011) to:

 

Submissions and reports from previous Councils (2005 - 2009) to:

  • Review of Australia’s Future Tax System (21 January 2009)
    ( PDF 99KB)
  • Review of Australian Higher Education (31 July 2008)
    ( PDF 221KB |  DOC 2.1MB)
  • Review of Australian Higher Education (Supplementary Submission) (31 August 2008)
    This supplementary submission was informed by the 2008 IHEAC Stakeholders’ Forum, Indigenous Higher Education: Our Place in the Education Revolution
    ( PDF 551KB)
  • Ngapartji Ngapartji  – Yerra: Stronger Futures (21 November 2007)
    ( PDF 3.5MB)
  • Principles and Practices of Cultural Competency: A Review of the Literature, Prepared for IHEAC by Ellen Grote, PhD, August 2008 
    ( PDF 196KB)
  • Strengthening Indigenous Research Culture in Australian Universities and Higher Education by Professor Richard James and Associate Professor Marcia Devlin, 18 May 2007
    ( PDF 113KB)
  • Partnerships, Pathways and Policies - Improving Indigenous Education Outcomes by Professor Richard James and Ms Marcia Devlin
    ( DOC 166KB)
  • Improving Indigenous Outcomes and Enhancing Indigenous Culture and Knowledge in Australian Higher Education by Professor Richard James and Ms Marcia Devlin, March 2006. Report of the 2005 IHEAC Conference and the IHEAC Strategic Plan 2006-2008
    ( PDF 1.2MB)

 

Awards and Scholarships

In addition to its work in advising Government, the IHEAC presents a number of awards and scholarships, including:

  • Indigenous Elders and Leaders Awards
     
    Each year the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council presents Awards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and Leaders who have made a significant contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education in Australia. 2011 the recipients were, Auntie Joan Vickery, Aunty Rosmund Mirium Graham, Mrs Ruth Hegarty, Ms Rose Guywanga and Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra.
     
    For more information of the Elders Award, please visit the Awards page.
     
  • Indigenous Staff Scholarships
     
    Up to five national Indigenous Staff Scholarships are awarded annually for a 12 month period.  These scholarships recognise the outstanding efforts of inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff who are undertaking or intending to undertake study.  The recipients for study in 2011 are Ann-Maree Hammond, Luke Halvorsen and Catherine Taylor.
     
    For more information on the Indigenous Staff Scholarships Program, please visit the Staff Scholarships Programs website.
     

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These documents are only available as Adobe PDF and Microsoft DOC files.  If you are having trouble accessing these documents, please contact the IHEAC Secretariat.