SCU Gnibi College initiative targets Indigenous students

An innovative enrolment program for Indigenous students will be offered by Southern Cross University (SCU).

Glenn Woods, Head of the Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, said SCU was encouraging the enrolment of Indigenous students through a unique 'direct enrolment' scheme.

Rather than applying for a place via QTAC or UAC, staff from Gnibi College plan to travel to remote and rural communities to conduct interviews with prospective students and offer them a place at SCU based on that assessment.

"While the scheme is targeted at Indigenous students, it will be open to anyone wishing to study a Bachelor of Indigenous Studies, Bachelor of Indigenous Studies (Trauma and Healing) or the Foundation Program at Gnibi," Mr Woods said.

"We recognise just how daunting it is to go through the regular application process.

"Many people living in Indigenous communities may lack formal high school qualifications but still want to study at University.

"They tend to see the traditional application process as too much of a barrier.

"Even for those who have a Year 12 equivalent, getting into a University may seem too difficult to achieve and they may wonder how they would manage to live in a large regional city like Lismore, away from home and family support networks.

"At Gnibi, our Indigenous Students Support team has put a lot of effort into making our Indigenous students feel welcome and supporting them in every aspect of their studies," Mr Woods said.

Photo caption: Budding performer Wyuna Baker, of Ocean shores, and her dad, Dhinawan, an Indigenous dancer, story teller and musician, entertained guests at a welcome ceremony for Southern Cross University's Indigenous students at the Lismore campus.