Our History
The Jumbunna Aboriginal Education Centre was first established in 1987 after persistent lobbying by Aboriginal students, notably Burruga Gutya (Ken Canning) and Frances Peters. Before Jumbunna was established Ken and Frances were the only Aboriginal students enrolled at the then NSW Institute of Technology. After just one year of operation the centre's student enrolments increased to 30. By 1993, 275 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students were enrolled at UTS. Initially Jumbunna was set up to provide cultural and academic support, tutorial assistance and counselling, as well as to address other student needs. Jumbunna has evolved over the years, and in 2001 was structured as an Indigenous House of Learning that supports students, promotes Australian Indigenous culture, history and philosophy across the university, and nutures and develops Indigenous research and Indigenous researchers. Today, Jumbunna Indigenous House of learning provides cultural and academic support for Australian Indigenous students studying at UTS, and undertakes research into matters of significance to Indigenous communities.
Our Work in UTS
The Director of Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, Prof. Nakata, manages the Centre. He also chairs the Board of Studies Indigenous Education which advises the UTS Academic Board on Indigenous education and research issues. He is also ex-officio member of the UTS Academic Board and the Teaching & Learning Committee. Prof. Behrendt, Director of our Research Unit is a previous member of the UTS Council, and research staff assist with the UTS Human Research Ethics Committee processes on research proposals involving Indigenous subjects. We maintain links with other Indigenous Programs in the university and with Faculties to support the teaching and learning issues of Indigenous students and Indigenous studies. Staff work closely with the UTS Equity Reference Committee, the UTS Equity and Diversity Unit and Human Resources as well as contribute to the Reconciliation Working Party and theWingara Employment Strategy to foster the aims of the UTS Reconciliation Statement. Our staff members are also members of the Indigenous Staff Network and the Indigenous Women's Network. All staff work closely with other areas of the university that relate to our functions in student recruitment, student support, research and community outreach. Our overall role within UTS is articulated each year in our Indigenous Education Statement provided to DEST.
Our Links to the Indigenous community
Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning is guided by and reports to a Community Advisory Committee three times a year. Our staff are active at a range of levels in community service, from sitting on Boards and Councils of major institutions to various contributions at the grassroots level. These community activities cross cultural, education, health, land, law and governance issues at federal, state, local government and community levels. Our research work is actively disseminated to the community through the Indigenous media, through the production of newmedia products, and through community liaison activities. The Ngiya network provides a regular forum for Indigenous peers outside the university to provide input and feedback on our research work. We also contribute to activities associated with various UTS MOUs with, for instance, Alexandria Park School, State Library of New South Wales and State Library Queensland. Our Annual Lecture highlights the achievements and expertise of Indigenous Australians, our Awards and Scholarships recognise the contributions and achievements of Indigenous students, and our Adjunct Professorship and Research Fellowship capacities promote our work with leaders in the community on various issues.
Our Staff
Our staff are dedicated to providing excellent service in their areas of activities. Student support staff have all been through higher education studies and understand the challenges of studying at university. We have connections to Indigenous communities across New South Wales and Australia. For more information please contact us or look up individual staff members.
