A QUT project funded by an Australian Government Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) grant will open up higher education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encourage them to share their stories.
Developed by QUT in collaboration with award-winning Indigenous creative agency Carbon Media, the Think Your Way portal aims to inspire and build the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
“It’s a convenient one-stop-shop to locate information on the Australian higher education system from anywhere in Australia,” said Professor Suzi Derbyshire, QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching).
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often face a range of challenges when it comes to participating in higher education including lower high school retention and completion rates, poor preparation for university, lower expectations, lack of awareness and inadequate information and support.
“Think Your Way is designed to help overcome those obstacles. Users will find a host of information, links and resources, along with many inspiring interviews and videos with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia who are ‘thinking their way’ to achieve their educational and aspirational career goals through higher education,” Professor Derbyshire said.
Carbon Media Managing Director and Birri Gubba man Wayne Denning said: “I was the only one in my graduating class that went to university and while the numbers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders entering higher education today are growing, there is a long way to go to achieve parity.
“Think Your Way offers practical information and everyday role models to inspire and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider a higher education pathway,” he said.
Project Leader, Professor Anita Lee Hong – Director of QUT’s Oodgeroo Unit, said the contributions by those who have shared their journeys into higher education will inspire other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“There is nothing quite like the impact of successful role models in highlighting the success that higher education brings,” Professor Lee Hong said.
“The Think Your Way site allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to upload and share their own personal higher education journey and aspirations, and to continue to build upon the important traditions that learning and teaching have always contributed to the sharing of knowledge and community encouragement of the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Think Your Way provides information, links and resources to school students and non-school leavers considering and preparing for higher education, but also resources and information for current higher education students, communities, parents and carers, and teachers and career advisors.
“The content is very engaging and includes seven fun animated videos teachers can use in class discussions and activities to connect with younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students,” Professor Lee Hong said.
Visit the Think Your Way website at www.thinkyourway.edu.au for more information.
Watch QUT alumni Kevin Yow Yeh share his story on Think Your Way at: https://vimeo.com/146732122
The Australian Government’s HEPPP aims to ensure that Australians from low SES backgrounds who have the ability to study at university have the opportunity to do so. For more information on HEPPP visit education.gov.au
QUT is part of a national collaborative group of five major Australian universities that form the ATN (Australian Technology Network of Universities).
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
