Bulletin

Issue: October 2005

News

Top Indigenous education post for Gary Thomas

Gary Thomas, Director of Indigenous Education at La Trobe University, was elected Chair of the National Indigenous Higher Education Network at a recent meeting in Alice Springs. The network is made up of Directors of Indigenous programs and services from Australian universities.

As Chair, Mr Thomas will represent the group on the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Indigenous Advisory Committee and on the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium.

Mr Thomas said: 'It is an honour to be entrusted with such a position by my colleagues, and a wonderful opportunity for La Trobe to provide leadership and to promote our university within the Indigenous higher education sector.'

Mr Thomas took up his post at La Trobe in February this year. He was previously Director of the Centre for Indigenous Education at the University of Melbourne.

He said Indigenous Education at La Trobe incorporates student support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on all campuses, the Indigenous Employment program which aims to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at the University, and policy and protocols for Indigenous research and education including new course developments and research opportunities.

Recent developments include revised structures to support Indigenous education activities, increased opportunities for scholarships and bursaries, policy development for selection and enrolment of Indigenous students, more subject offerings and greater potential for research collaborations.