As Chancellor of Griffith University, I take an active interest in encouraging initiatives designed to foster a productive relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Queensland and Australia to address Indigenous participation in higher education.
Griffith has taken great pride in developing initiatives that foster a culturally sensitive and harmonious study environment to improve Indigenous student access, participation and graduation rates across a wide range of disciplines at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.
While I am pleased to note the number of Indigenous students who have graduated from Griffith, I am proud to acknowledge that we had our first Indigenous student graduate with a Bachelor of Medical Science in 2008. Griffith has also produced our first Indigenous graduate with a Bachelor of Aviation Science and our first Indigenous postgraduate student with a PhD in Mathematical Science.
These are but a few of the Indigenous students who have graduated in non-traditional and traditional areas of study at Griffith. We give praise and recognition to all graduates and their families as each of them has done their communities and Griffith University proud.
As Chancellor of Griffith, I also take an active interest in the employment and participation of Indigenous staff ? whose involvement across the University acts to produce quality teaching, student support, research and community engagement activities both within the University, across various levels of government and, importantly, in collaboration with Indigenous communities.
In its commitment to a holistic approach to supporting Indigenous students, Griffith is committed to addressing national priorities pertaining to Indigenous Australians. In so doing, Griffith has developed an employment strategy which has resulted in Indigenous staff being employed in many disciplines across the University.
Our approach in this regard has contributed to the employment of Indigenous Elders through our Elder-in-Residence program; some senior level academic positions - a Professor of Indigenous Community Engagement - Partnerships and Policy, and a Senior Lecturer as Coordinator of the Indigenous Research Network; as well as a range of staff across professional, support and academic roles, including the Head of GUMURRII Student Support Unite, a Human Reseources Manager (Health), and a Lecturer in Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art.
The engagement of Indigenous Elders and staff across a wide array of areas throughout Griffith is designed to help improve our commitment to producing quality collaborative research pertinent to the economic, health and well-being of Indigenous Australians.
The quality teaching across Griffith is designed to enhance our commitment to producing socially and culturally-informed graduates and to improving the educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These two principles are widely accepted as critical to achieving economic and social parity with other Australians. This is especially significant for the strength and capacity of Indigenous families and youth.
This challenge takes on new meaning following the historic and significant National Apology on 13 February 2008. I am proud to note that Griffith is committed to embracing the spirit of the National Apology across a broad spectrum of its responsibilities, and in so doing will build upon the work we are currently engaged in to further develop our local, national and international initiatives that facilitate opportunities for Indigenous students, staff and communities.
Given the renewed vigour associated with the national dialogue, Griffith University embraces the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, identity and Indigenous knowledge in higher education.
Ms Leneen Forde, AC
Chancellor