Fed: Govt to provide $23.7 million for indigenous students

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2001
Fed: Govt to provide $23.7 million for indigenous students

CANBERRA, Dec 21 AAP - Universities will next year receive $23.7 million to help indigenous
students access tertiary education, the federal government said today.

The funding, provided through the Indigenous Support Funding (ISF) program, rewards
universities that attract and support indigenous students.

"Indigenous students remain under-represented in bachelor degree and postgraduate courses
and experience lower completion rates than non-indigenous students," Education Minister
Brendan Nelson said in a statement.

Assistance programs include support services, recruitment of indigenous students, scholarships,
cross-cultural awareness training for university staff and and indigenous culture and
history in curriculum development.

"Improving educational opportunities and outcomes is vitally important to advancing
the health and well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Dr Nelson
said.

"The Howard government is determined to enhance educational opportunities for indigenous
Australians, and is particularly committed to increasing the number of Indigenous students
who successfully complete tertiary study."

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KEYWORD: UNIVERSITIES

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