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Skilled Batchelor graduates will contribute to workforce in industry
Batchelor Institute students at the graduation ceremonies 2012 and 2011,Batchelor campus, Northern Territory. Images supplied
by Imran Naveed
B
atchelor Council will honour Indigenous students with 277 awards at the graduation ceremony to be held on Thursday 20 June at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Batchelor campus, Northern Territory. The awards include Certificates I to IV, Diploma, Advance Diploma, Bachelor Degree and Graduate Diploma qualifications. The graduating students have the skills and knowledge to make an immediate impact in the workforce. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will take part in the Batchelor Institute graduation ceremony. Indigenous students from 90 communities across the Northern Territory
and interstate will receive their awards. It will be a day to be remembered for a lifetime by graduating students, their families, friends and communities and for Batchelor Institute it represents another key milestone in its continuous development to contribute to a much larger Indigenous workforce in industry. Batchelor Institute Director, Adrian Mitchell stated “Batchelor campus graduation is a very special event on our calendar as it is a day that we get to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our students many of whom have had to overcome numerous challenges during their learning journey. Their success is testimony to their dedication, persistence, skills and abilities. I am very confident
that the qualifications they will receive are industry relevant and will position them to achieve their employment aspirations and to make a substantial contribution to their community as a professional, a leader and a role model for future generations. The ceremony begins at 2 pm with an Academic procession of lecturers and graduating students led by the popular One Mob Dancers. Batchelor Institute Senior Lecturer and Kungarakan Traditional Owner, Helen Bishop will give the Welcome to Country address and Ernie Dingo is to be the keynote speaker. Sandra Allwright, an outstanding student in the Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice) program and now a
successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) trainee at Wurli Wurlinjang Health Services in Katherine. She will respond to the students with her focus on improving Indigenous people’s health to inspire others and influence development within the communities. Sandra says, “now that she is qualified she will begin her journey and contribute to closing the gap.” The graduation will be witnessed by students, local residents, organisations and people from many communities. Everybody is welcome to join in this very special occasion and to take the opportunity to explore the Batchelor campus. The ceremony will be broadcast live by Batchelor Institute Indigenous Media Unit Radio Rum Jungle. Page 1