Support for Indigenous Australian Students / Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies / Faculty of Education and Arts / The University of Newcastle, Australia

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Support for Indigenous Australian Students

The University of Newcastle is a great place to make new friends, learn valuable skills and really do something with your life. Of course university can be scary. That’s why Wollotuka was established to provide culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Wollotuka is your very own place on campus. Staff are likely to understand what you will be going through as a student – both personally and academically because of their own past experiences.

Wollotuka provides a range of services to provide assistance to students both academically and personally, these include:

Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) -ITAS arranges for qualified tutors to help students with their studies whether it be in essay writing skills or any other relevant area of study.

Counsellor/Student Support Officer – Offers guidance and counseling to students who are experiencing personal problems including stress about their studies, personal and/or social concerns, loss and grief, family conflicts and relationship difficulties. As a student, support officer guidance will be provided to ensure you are prepared and informed about all aspects of your studies.

Undergraduate Computer Room – We offer a room designated for undergraduate student use with ten computers and two printers. This room is situated in the Birabahn building and is open for use during office hours Monday to Friday. Access is via swipe card and appropriate application forms can be provided at Wollotuka reception.

Post Graduate Research Room – We offer a room designated for postgraduate student use with five computers, printer, photocopying facilities and tea & coffee making facilities. This room is also situated in the Birabahn building. Access is via swipe card. Please contact Wollotuka regarding guidelines for use of room.

Resource Centre – We offer a large range of resources to students on Indigenous topics and issues. A range of text and audiovisual materials can be accessed. Please contact Resource Coordinator regarding borrowing restrictions and use of Centre. The Resource Centre is also situated in the Birabahn building.

Scholarships – the University offers a number of scholarships and prizes for Australian Indigenous students to assist with the expenses related to studying. For more information about these scholarships please contact Wollotuka.

Funding to support student’s academic career – Funding may be available to support the academic career of undergraduate and postgraduate students eg. conference attendances, research field work. Please contact Wollotuka regarding availability of funding and guidelines to apply.

Indigenous Student Collective -is run by an Indigenous Student Convenor who is elected annually by undergraduate Indigenous students at the University. The Convenor is also represented on the Newcastle University Student Association Council (NUSAC). The Collective is a great opportunity for students to provide an Indigenous voice on the Student Council, therefore, if Indigenous students want to have a say they are encouraged to attend Indigenous Student Collective meetings which are held regularly throughout the year.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry Program

Enrolment into all undergraduate programs is made through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC), Application forms can be obtained by purchasing a UAC booklet from your local newsagent or from the UAC website: www.uac.edu.au. Booklets and applications are usually available by August. Please ensure you indicate your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status on this applicaion form. You will then be contacted by staff at the Wollotuka Centre regarding an interview time and date.

The entry process gives consideration to the fact that many Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples' educational experiences coupled with individual future aspirations may meet the criteria for entry. It is an opportunity to apply for University entry, in addition to other ways (University Admission Index [UAI] for study). It alos provides prospective student with first-hand information on costs, program details and support services at The University of Newcastle.

Interviews for the entry program are usually held at the beginning of December and the first week in January.

There will be two 15 - 20 minute interviews :-

1. Faculty interview to view your academic history, skills and ability to complete the degree. It is advisable that you bring to the interview your personal resume with originals and photocopies of any academic records, references, etc.

2. Interview to confirm you identy as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. This interview will be conducted buy Aboriginal staff and local Aboriginal community members. It ia advisable that you bring to the interview your Confirmation of Aboriginality or any other documentation/information you may have that shows your involvemnet in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Communities and/or issues.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry to the Bachelor of Medicine Program