Indigenous students need support in the Covid crisis

Lisa Jackson Pulver - Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) Lisa Jackson Pulver highlights what is needed to secure successful outcomes in higher education for Indigenous students. Universities share the Commonwealth government's desire for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to achieve successful outcomes in higher education as those afforded to all Australians. However, significantly increased effort remains necessary before parity in educational success can be attained. Consistent with the Commonwealth's goals, outlined in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy and Closing the Gap, we are committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are enrolling, progressing and completing their higher education studies at the same rate as other students. Universities are equally concerned that these benefits remain accessible to urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as well as those in regional and remote areas. Progress has been made against these goals with support from the Commonwealth government under the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) and the Away From Base (AFB) program. These partnerships are productive and the benefits tangible however, in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, hard-fought gains are in danger of erosion.