NAIDOC Week observed at UQ

The University of Queensland has moved to strengthen relations and enhance communications with local Indigenous communities, during National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee [NAIDOC] Week.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, AC, met senior people from the two communities at a morning tea today (July 5).

“This is an opportunity for the University and Indigenous people to share information and gain a better understanding of what is happening in their respective domains,” Professor Hay said.

“Community members will be able to hear how the University, especially the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, is enhancing educational opportunities for Indigenous people.

“We hope they will see UQ as a favourable institution for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and will help encourage more Indigenous people to pursue tertiary study.

“In addition, there might be opportunities to establish relationships for research and development capacity-building models to assist Indigenous communities.”

Professor Hay said such dialogues were essential in further developing relationships between the University and Indigenous peoples, and may become annual meetings.

“UQ acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which the university operates and is committed to reconciliation, as set out in our Statement on Reconciliation,” he said.

“Following the demise of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, it is important that institutions such as Universities take a leading role in reconciliation.”
Media: A photo from this morning's NAIDOC Week event is available from University photographic library coordinator Ms Diana Lilley 07 3365 2753 email d.lilley@uq.edu.au