The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit was established at the University of Queensland in 1984. Its objective is to become a centre of excellence and expert opinion on teaching, research and consultation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to maintain a committed system of personal and academic support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying at the University of Queensland.
The objectives of the Unit are:
- to increase recruitment, retention, academic performance and graduation rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Queensland;
- to approach Indigenous education from a standpoint of equality of regard;
- to promote understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians;
- to facilitate international understanding between and about Indigenous peoples on the basis of the highest levels of scholarship in teaching and research concerning Indigenous peoples and cultures; to incorporate understanding of the worldviews and intellectual traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the University’s academic and administrative policies, programs and procedures;
- to include particular attention to the protocols and ethical considerations for working with Indigenous peoples and communities;
- to nurture and promote the expansion of Indigenous Knowledge as an academic discipline based on the worldviews and intellectual traditions of Indigenous peoples;
- to secure and maintain the pivotal role of Indigenous Knowledge in teaching and research concerning Indigenous cultures and broader fields of knowledge, and encourage this recognition by local, national and international communities;
- to position UQ as a leader in Indigenous education by structuring coursework in political, social and cultural contexts and through focused research.
The Unit is involved in many issues in the University, tertiary education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the broader community. The University has a strong commitment to reconciliation outlined in its Statement on Reconciliation and has adopted a statement of Education Principles on Indigenous Australian Matters (EPIAM) to provide a basis to develop policy and strategies to improve the understanding of students and staff of Indigenous issues and to recognise the importance and contribution of Indigenous Knowledge as an emerging discipline. The Unit has a major responsibility for facilitating and encouraging the access, participation and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Queensland. To this end, there are staff in the Unit who assist students with academic matters such as choosing subjects, accessing literature, computer and other resources. Staff also assist with personal matters that impact upon students’ studies. It is a primary objective of Unit staff to encourage students to develop successful, independent learning habits. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Academic and Research & Publication Groups are also responsible for developing the Unit’s academic profile through research, teaching, and publishing.
The Unit publishes the leading education journal in the field of Indigenous education, The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education (formerly The Aboriginal Child at School), Ngulaig, an occasional monograph series, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Research Report Series which reports results of major research programs on Indigenous issues conducted by University of Queensland staff.
The Unit has conducted numerous major research projects, including surveys of past and present Indigenous Australian students at the University, and a review of Indigenous Australian content in the curriculum at the University. The Unit is also continuing major externally-funded Indigenous cultural heritage projects with communities throughout Australia and the Pacific Basin.
The University of Queensland offers two major programs of study in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: (1) a Major in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies as part of the Bachelor of Arts degree and (2) a Major in Indigenous Health as part of the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree.
The Unit coordinates the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Major. The program includes courses concerned with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on literature, history, politics and so on. The Unit also runs the University Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) and administers scholarships for Indigenous students. Contact the Unit for details regarding information on ITAS or Scholarships and prizes.
An annual summary of Unit activities is provided in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Annual Report. Copies of recent Annual Reports are available for viewing or download by pressing on the links below. You will need Acrobat Reader to view these files.
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 1999.pdf Size: 221kb
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 2000.pdf Size: 612kb
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 2001.pdf Size: 2,213kb
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 2002.pdf Size: 1,436kb
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 2003.pdf Size: 1,013kb
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 2004.pdf Size: 1,640kb
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 2005,pdf Size: 507kb
A&TSIS Unit Annual Report 2006,pdf Size: 1,583kb