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Students commence higher education journey
2013 ACIKE students and staff at the Desert Peoples Centre, Alice Springs, NT. Image supplied
by Imran Naveed Students started on their Higher Education journeys in Education, Creative Writing, Nursing and Preparation for Tertiary Success at the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education (ACIKE) student orientation program held at Desert Peoples Centre (DPC), Alice Springs, Northern Territory recently. This marks a beginning for the inspiring Indigenous students who look forward to reaping the rewards of the learning journey and future pathways. Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education would like to recognise the determination of these wonderful students who can be role models to inspire other Indigenous Australian to take up career pathways. A multitalented PTS student, Steve Hodder Watt from Alice Springs volunteers on CAAMA Radio and interviewed a group of PTS students on Saturday March 2nd: Christopher Jordan from Taree, NSW; Clayton Simpson from Dubbo, NSW and Jackson
McGregor-Cobbo from Cairns, North Queensland. The students shared their orientation experiences with Indigenous listeners in Central Australia, discussed the course benefits and encouraged other Indigenous people to take up career pathways by studying at Batchelor Institute where Indigenous culture and friendly support staff are there to assist. “I am very excited about the PTS course which can make a big difference for my future. I am glad about how Indigenous students are being accepted by Batchelor Institute staff. At first, I was worried about coming to DPC Alice Springs but I know I had to make this move to succeed in life. I was well assisted by the staff for filling up the forms and other matters,� PTS student Christopher Jordan said. Ronell Frazer, from Barcaldine, Queensland expressed her satisfaction on the warm welcoming for PTS Students. Sarah Carmody, an Indigenous woman from Alice Springs, is
starting her degree in Teaching and Learning. She said that the orientation days were great and looking forward to the workshops for hands-on learning. The students were excited about the warm welcoming by ACIKE academics and student service staff. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to enjoy and get to know each other and the lecturers. Batchelor Institute organised the ACIKE student orientation program to welcome Indigenous students coming from different states and regions of Australia. On the first day, the orientation program provided valuable information to the students which included but was not limited to: introduction to Batchelor Institute, ACIKE, DPC, and staff; information about Academic Support Advisor, Student Services, Residential Services, Information Computer Technology (ICT), Cultural Awareness, Equity Services, Scholarships; and Charles Darwin University (CDU) Computer access session and Indigenous Support. The student orientation continued
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on the second day starting with Bacthelor Institute Library overview followed by morning tea. Their bus departed to CDU for a campus visit and the students were briefed about Indigenous Support Services. Student groups were formed for an Information Shop, CDU Learnline sessions, and CDU Library tour. After the completion of the informative sessions the student bus departed for DPC campus where mouth-watering dishes prepared by
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the Irrante cafĂŠ staff were all set for lunch and students had a great time. By the mid-afternoon, students had the opportunity to attend question time to ask any questions to the lecturers. The Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education (ACIKE) is a joint initiative between Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. The aim is to provide a shared facility for the delivery of a specific
range of Higher Education and Post Graduate study options which provide education pathways designed to better meet the needs of Indigenous Australia. The Institute has a free call line to assist Indigenous people to find out more about suitable programs on 1800 677 095 or visit www.acike. edu.au. The friendly staff at Student Support are always there to help students.