UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee (UNEIEC)

The Purpose of the Committee

The UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee is a Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee of the University in regards to the development, implementation, progression and evaluation of the University of New England’s Indigenous education, employment and research strategies. See the Committee Terms of Reference.

News and Events

Thank you and congratulations!

Thank you to those who participated in the Indigenous Student Survey 2020 - the first survey of the Indigenous student cohort  at UNE.

The results will establish a benchmark and help to inform the enhancement of University programs and activities to support, engage and respond to the needs of Indigenous students who study at UNE. An analysis of survey results will be included in reports to the Vice-Chancellor and Academic Board, as well as being provided to relevant departments around the University.

As a way to thank them for their time, participants had the opportunity to go into the draw to win a prize. Congratulations to the following participants who were drawn at random:

  1. Brayden Salt (tablet)
  2. Cathy Doe (smart watch)
  3. Angelise van Vliet (headphones)

Terms of Reference

The UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee will endorse the following UNE strategies:

  • UNE Indigenous Education Strategy
  • UNE Indigenous Employment Strategy
  • UNE Indigenous Research Strategy
  • UNE Indigenous Research Integrity

The Committee will report to the Vice-Chancellor and will advise on matters relating to Indigenous education, employment and research.

The Committee has the capacity to seek reports on Indigenous matters from any work unit within the University.

To progress Indigenous inclusion across the University, the UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee will:

  • Consult widely, frequently and effectively amongst the UNE Indigenous Stakeholder Community
  • Consider any matter relating to Indigenous inclusion at UNE
  • Monitor the development and implementation, and ultimately endorse all relevant Indigenous strategies, for approval by the University
  • Establish, as necessary, any sub-committees or working groups for the purpose of providing specialist advice on any Indigenous matter relevant to the Committee
  • Refer for action or advice any relevant matter to the Vice Chancellor for implementation via the senior executive of the University.

Terms of reference to be reviewed annually.

Composition and Membership

The UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee for 2019 & 2020 will comprise of:

  • Mr Colin Ahoy, Elder in Residence, UNE
  • Ms Hayley Ford, Indigenous Researcher Support Officer

UNE Indigenous Stakeholder Community

The committee will consult with, and rely upon, and report back to, a large stakeholder group, which will include the following:

  • Indigenous Elders of the Northern Region of NSW, and beyond.
  • Indigenous Communities of the Northern Region of NSW, and beyond.
  • Indigenous students at UNE
  • Indigenous Academic staff at UNE
  • Indigenous Professional staff at UNE
  • Oorala Aboriginal Centre
  • Indigenous Employment Officer(s)
  • Indigenous Staff supporting Indigenous students at UNE

Procedural Matters

Term of Office

The term of office for a member of the UNE Indigenous Engagement Committee will be for two years. However, in recognition of the work UNE needs to do around increasing numbers of Indigenous Academic staff, it may be necessary to extend terms beyond two years. It will be at the discretion of the Committee to put such requests to the Vice Chancellor after consultation with stakeholders. Any decision to extend will be communicated effectively and transparently to the UNE Indigenous Stakeholder community.

Quorum

The quorum shall be three members of the Committee, with at least one of those members being Chair, or Co-Chair.

Frequency of Meetings

The Committee shall meet as required.