Page 650 - Week 02 - Thursday, 17 February 2005

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Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders—scholarships
(Question No 29)

Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Education and Training, upon notice, on 7 December 2004:

(1) Is the indigenous scholarships program for Year 12 indigenous students, which first started in late 2000, still in operation;

(2) If so, how many scholarships have been awarded each calendar year since the program’s inception;

(3) If not, (a) why is this program not still in operation and (b) how many scholarships were awarded each calendar year during the time it was in operation;

(4) What other incentive programs are on offer for indigenous students in our education system.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The Indigenous Scholarship Program, offered to year 12 Indigenous students in 2000, was reviewed in 2001. From 2002, the Charles Perkins Scholarships for Undergraduate Indigenous Students replaced the original Indigenous Scholarship Program. The Charles Perkins scholarship program operates as a joint partnership between the ACT Department of Education and Training and the University of Canberra. The annual scholarship, valued at $4000, is co-sponsored by the partners and awarded each year to two Indigenous students undertaking studies at the University of Canberra.

(2) The number of scholarships awarded under the two programs are:

(3) N/A

(4) The University of Canberra operates the Ngunnawal Centre, a focal point for Indigenous students studying at the University. In addition to the Charles Perkins scholarships, The Centre offers The Foundation Program that is a pathway to tertiary studies for Indigenous students without a year 12 certificate.

Similarly, the Australian National University operates the Jabal Centre through which a range of scholarships and cadetships are available specifically for Indigenous students.

The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) operates the Yurana Centre as a support for Indigenous students. CIT offers the CIT Indigenous Scholarships that cover program fees.

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