June 5, 2019
Employable graduates, diverse cohort
NSW Audit reveals pleasing growth in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app’s Indigenous student base
There is an increasing demand for a university education among Indigenous Australians in NSW.
A newly-released state government report has revealed Indigenous student enrolments increased by 484 to 6256 from 2016 to 2017.
University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app (ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app) has surpassed the state growth rate of 8.4 per cent. The Indigenous student base at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app grew by more than 10 per cent from 2016 to 2017 – double the enrolment growth rate for non-Indigenous students at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app.
The figures were released on 31 May by the NSW Audit Office in a .
Meanwhile, the report showed pleasing employment outcomes for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app.
The proportion of Australian university graduates in full-time employment increased from 71.8 per cent to 72.9 per cent from 2017 to 2018.
University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app alumni outperformed the national average.
Just under 90 per cent of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app graduates who had completed postgraduate studies were employed in full-time work, and more than 75 per cent of those who completed undergraduate studies at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app were working full time.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Vice-Chancellor, Paul Wellings CBE, said equity and employability were critical to the University.
“We are proud to offer a valuable tertiary experience, especially to our Indigenous students,” Mr Wellings said.
“The more bright minds you bring together, the greater the problems you can solve.
“Our graduates can expect a secure future. We strive to anticipate the nature of emergent industries and future jobs, as graduates need to be ethical, mobile, technologically literate and ready for multicultural workplaces.”
Caption: Torres Strait Islander dancers entertain the crowd at a Reconciliation Week event at University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app on 29 May.