Indigenous Engagement

CQUniversity’s Office of Indigenous Engagement (OIE) engages with university staff, students, members of the general public and industry (including non-government, government and corporate entities) to provide support, opportunities and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Office of Indigenous Engagement supports the advance of Indigenous people by:

• Providing advice on education pathways to create positive and successful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• Promotion and leadership of quality Indigenous research that builds national and global expertise
• Collaborative links between CQUniversity and regional, national and international institutions and organisations for research and knowledge exchange
• Facilitation of social innovation and sustainability, ensuring future education and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities
• Integration of Indigenous engagement tools and platforms throughout CQUniversity’s infrastructure and culture
• Stimulation of regional, national and international partnerships that enhance opportunities for First Nations Peoples.

Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Strategy (ILES)

The CQUniversity Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Strategy (ILES) 2020-2022 is a socially innovative, whole-of-university approach to education, training and research, focused on Indigenous Australians. The CQUniversity vision and core values of inclusiveness, engagement and socially innovative change, provide fundamental drivers for the University in delivering education and engaging with communities. The ILES informs the University’s strategic vision in the commitment to inclusiveness and engagement with First Nations people, by emphasising the need for leadership in engagement, and further, to instil leadership engagement values across the organisation’s internal and external communities.

The ILES offers processes and possibilities for undertaking change-maker research; expanding the University’s presence and reach in communities; driving sustainable and responsive changes in training; leading excellence in higher education and driving change as a positive disruption to currently held sector ideology.

CQUniversity Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2024

The CQUniversity Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) July 2022 - July 2024 is an important stage in CQUniversity's reconciliation journey, delivering a range of new initiatives that will embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in the curriculum, expand research capabilities, and provide a culturally safe and supportive environment for staff and students.

Throughout the year we run a variety of Office of Indigenous Engagement events open to the general public to attend. Our events take place at a number of our campuses, in many regions across the country, offering video conference access to selective events.

To find out more about events coming up at a location near you or hear more about our research and other Office of Indigenous Engagement project join our digital mailing list today by clicking here.

If you have feedback about an event you attended, a suggestion for an upcoming speaker or would like to volunteer to help with our events please email OIE@cqu.edu.au

CQUniversity is proud to have the highest ratio of students from low socio-economic, mature age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and first-in-family backgrounds. The University defines itself by who it embraces rather than who it excludes, and because of this is widely recognised as Australia's most inclusive university. CQUniversity is focused on creating and build stronger relationships and sustainable opportunities that will enable equality and integration, greater study, employment and research prospects and the reciprocation of knowledge.

The following Indigenous Education Statements outline how CQUniversity has demonstrated its achievements in the following areas:

• The implementation of strategies for improving access, participation, retention and success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students;
• Increased participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the University’s decision-making processes; and
• An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment strategy.

Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2021 Performance Report
Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2021 Financial Acquittal
Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2020 Performance Report
Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2020 Financial Acquittal
Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2019 Performance Report
Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2019 Financial Acquittal
Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2018 Performance Report
Indigenous Student Success Programme - 2018 Financial Acquittal

The CQUniversity collection of art created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, held across the University’s many campuses and study hubs, offers viewers fresh understandings of First Nations’ viewpoints and the position of Indigenous creative expressions in Australian society. CQUniversity invites everyone to enjoy the art of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples held in its collection and in this book.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art: the CQUniversity Australia Collection