The launch of the Deakin Indigenous Strategy
The Deakin Indigenous Strategy 2023–2028 seeks to redefine First Nations engagement within the University. Led by Professor Mark Rose, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Innovation and his team, this key strategy was created through authentic consultation with First Nations Communities, and with faculties and divisions across Deakin.
The launch
The strategy was launched at Deakin Downtown on Monday 13 February, with Professor Liz Johnson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic hosting the event. Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor joined remotely to welcome attendees, and in a passionate and heartfelt address encouraged the entire Deakin community to embrace the spirit, intent and actions of the strategy.
Professor Mark Rose, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Innovation spoke about the rich heritage of First Nations engagement over the last 35 years at Deakin that has now led to the creation of the new Deakin Indigenous Strategy.
We heard from Mr Lionel Bamblett, General Manager at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI), who reiterated the broad community and state-wide support for this extensively consulted strategy. Mr Bamblett is also a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Advisory Council (VCIAC), which is a representative body that provides broad and diverse community perspectives and advice directly to the highest levels of the University.
Professor Gabrielle Fletcher, Director NIKERI Institute, also spoke about the Institute’s strong and enduring connection to the local and national communities from which it draws its strength, providing a culturally safe place on campus from which to make further gains under the new strategic direction.
Advancing Indigenous Knowledges and Peoples
Deakin’s Indigenous Strategy calls for a student-centred, whole-of-University response to Indigenous education that attracts and retains Indigenous students and staff. The strategy sets out a comprehensive action plan across five domains: students, knowledge, employment, community and whole-of-University and includes step-change actions that can make a tangible difference for all our communities.
Whole-of-University approach
The strategy draws together work from across the University and is linked directly to the Deakin 2030: Ideas to Impact, Deakin Education and Employability Guiding Plan and Deakin Research and Innovation Guiding Plan.
Central to the strategy is the whole-of-University approach to implementation, recognising that every person in the University has a responsibility in this work to advance outcomes with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This strategy requires all of Deakin to commit to and participate in this crucial objective.
Read the Deakin Indigenous Strategy
You can access the Deakin Indigenous Strategy on Deakin Strategic Direction webpage on the Deakin website.
Banner, from left to right: Professor Tristan Kennedy, PVC Indigenous, Monash Uni; Professor Gabriel Fletcher, Director, NIKERII; Professor Liz Johnson DVCA Deakin; Professor Mark Rose, PVC Indigenous, Deakin; Lionel Bamblett, General Manager VAEAI; Mick Coombes, Associate Director, Aboriginal Economic Development Group, DJPR; Professor Gary Thomas, PVC Indigenous, RMIT