The bush university, scheduled to launch later this year, was one of 10 new Regional University Study Hubs recently announced by the Australian Government, and follows a successful five-week trial led by Macquarie University and the LHAC last year.
Garrthalala Bush University will support students from Yolngu communities in north-east Arnhem Land to remain on Country and immersed in their cultural traditions while studying towards a tertiary qualification.
The university is based on the two-way learning model pioneered by the Wuyagiba Study Hub in south-east Arnhem Land, which was established by the Wuyagiba Bush Hub Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Macquarie University.
“The partnership between Macquarie University and Wuyagiba Bush Hub Aboriginal Corporation has provided wonderful, two-way opportunities for students, staff and communities in terms of academics, Cultural learning and personal growth,” says Mr Sam Ricketts, Macquarie University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous).
“This new partnership is another exciting opportunity to bring important life experiences to all those involved.”
Macquarie University Associate Professor Emilie Ens, who has worked with communities in south-east Arnhem Land since 2018 to establish and support the Wuyagiba Study Hub, also worked closely with the Yolngu educators, especially Bulpunu and Yananymul Mununggurr, LHAC staff and Macquarie’s Andrea Jaggi to trial the new bush university.
“Students get a full wrap-around experience of a campus on their Homelands, with literacy and digital literacy embedded in bespoke culturally adapted courses, all done face-to-face out in the bush,” says Associate Professor Ens.
“Both the Wuyagiba Study Hub and Garrthalala Bush University are run by local Aboriginal organisations, employ local people and, through two-way learning, combine Aboriginal knowledge with Western academic traditions to deliver first-year level university subjects for local people.”
Subjects offered at Wuyagiba Study Hub include Caring for Country and culture in South-East Arnhem Land, and Indigenous science. Associate Professor Ens says that, in a similar vein, there will be subjects developed in partnership for Garrthalala that focus on cultural knowledge and practices.
Through the Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation, Macquarie University and Australian National University will co-design and co-deliver these new subjects, packaged as two micro-credentials, and these can contribute to undergraduate degrees while also acting as standalone qualifications to help students gain or progress in employment.
Macquarie University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Rorden Wilkinson, said the University takes great pride in its ongoing partnership with the Wuyagiba Study Hub and Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporations.
“We are delighted to see the successful and innovative two-way learning model developed at Wuyagiba being expanded to another site and increasing access to university education for even more remote-living Aboriginal students in Arnhem Land,” Professor Wilkinson says.
“These remarkable programs align strongly with Macquarie University’s strategic aim to improve equity of participation and provide new articulation pathways to university for under-represented groups.”