UQ embraces Indigenous Knowledge

The University of Queensland is recognising the importance of Indigenous Knowledge by developing an education policy that will improve the understanding of students and staff of Australian Indigenous issues.

As part of the University’s special year of focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, the UQ Senate has adopted a Statement of Education Principles on Indigenous Australian Matters.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Michael Keniger said the principles acknowledged the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in enriching the University community and its intellectual traditions.

“With these principles we begin a process of challenging our preconceived notions of knowledge creation, transmission and recognition, and to consider how we will recast these notions within an Indigenous Knowledge framework,” Professor Keniger said.

“An important aspect of these principles will be a review of curriculum and research activities to determine how to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge.”

Professor Keniger said the policy demonstrated what can be achieved when colleagues from across the University work to develop a foundation policy that will impel and guide actions and plans across all aspects of the University’s activities – teaching and learning, research and research education, and community and social activities.

Director of UQ’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Mr Michael Williams said the statement was a significant step in advancing UQ’s commitment to reconciliation.

“To start this we need to reconsider our institutional culture to ensure that all staff have a respect, understanding and awareness of Indigenous Australian issues and can think creatively about how to incorporate this into their teaching and research practice,” Mr Williams said.

“We must now keep the momentum going and move on to the implementation phase.”

Media inquiries: Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (07 3365 2802 or 0433 364 181).