Flinders University has been honoured for its ongoing advancement of Indigenous education.
On Friday 4 October the university became the first in South Australia to win the prestigious SAGE Cygnet Award for increasing Indigenous student participation.
Science in Australia Gender Equity’s Cygnet Awards recognise institutions that significantly promote and improve diversity, inclusion and equity.
Flinders was also honoured with a SAGE Cygnet Award earlier this year for supporting its Indigenous staff.
Between 2020 and 2024, the university increased Indigenous student representation by more than 20 per cent, while its retention of students also rose to 76 per cent and progression rates surged by almost one-fifth to 92 per cent.
A range of initiatives, including culturally appropriate academic support, increased access to financial assistance, accommodation scholarships, dedicated social and networking spaces and outreach programs to rural and remote areas all helped drive the results.
Building a sense of belonging
Around 450 Indigenous students currently study a range of disciplines, including medicine, law, education, health and business.
With recent Census data showing only 47 per cent of Indigenous Australians aged 25-34 have a tertiary qualification, compared to 76 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians, the uni’s commitment is important.
The university’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), Professor Simone Tur, a Yankunytjatjara woman from north-west South Australia who resides in Adelaide on Kaurna Yarta says Flinders adopted a whole-of-institution strategy to make its Indigenous cohort feel truly welcomed and supported.
“It’s all about building a strong sense of belonging for Indigenous students, and our academic and professional staff,” says Professor Tur, a Flinders graduate who was recruited to the inaugural role in 2020.
Tur is responsible for enhancing respect for Indigenous knowledges and advancing outcomes across education, research, employment and wellbeing.
She also guides the Yunggorendi Student Engagement – a Flinders University hub that helps Indigenous students succeed.
Flinders Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says the university was deeply committed to improving educational outcomes for First Nations students.
“We are dedicated to creating pathways that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed, and this Cygnet Award recognises our determination to break down barriers to participation and engagement at Flinders,” Stirling says.
“Many of our talented Indigenous students are trailblazers, often the first in their family or community to pursue higher education.
“By celebrating their achievements, we hope to inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps, knowing that Flinders is here to support them every step of the way.”
The twin Cygnet honours build on Flinders’ 2019 Bronze Award accreditation under the SAGE-administered Athena Swan framework.
SAGE chief executive DR Janin Bredehoeft says, “Flinders deserves to be congratulated for prioritising and taking action on First Nations inclusion in a way that has had tangible impacts for Indigenous students”.