Flinders University has again received a prestigious honour for its ongoing advancement of Indigenous education.
On Friday the university became the first in South Australian to win the prestigious SAGE Cygnet Award for increasing Indigenous student participation.
Science in Australia Gender Equity's Cygnet Awards recognise institutions that significantly promote and improve equity, diversity and inclusion.
Flinders was honoured with a SAGE Cygnet Award earlier this year for supporting Indigenous staff at the university, shortly after Times Higher Education named it one of the world's top 10 universities for reducing inequalities.
Flinders increased Indigenous student representation by more than 20 per cent between 2020 and 2024, its retention of students also rose to 76 per cent, while progression rates surged by almost a fifth to 92 per cent.
Driving these outcomes were initiatives such as culturally-appropriate academic support, increased access to financial assistance, accommodation scholarships, dedicated social and networking spaces, and outreach programs to rural and remote areas.
Flinders' governance initiatives, like the Tarrkarri-ana Committee, established in 2021 to drive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success, and the Indigenous Student Success Targets (2022-2025), were instrumental in attracting more students.
Currently nearly 450 Indigenous students study a range of disciplines, including medicine, law, education, health and business.
The university's commitment is more vital than ever, with recent Census data showing only 47 per cent of Indigenous Australians aged 25-34 have a tertiary qualification, compared to 76 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians.
The university's Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), Professor Simone Tur, a Yankunytjatjara woman from north-west South Australia who resides in Adelaide on Kaurna Yarta, said Flinders adopted a whole-of-institution strategy to make its Indigenous cohort feel truly welcomed and supported.
"It's all about building a strong sense of belonging for Indigenous students, and our academic and professional staff," said Professor Tur, a Flinders graduate who was recruited to the inaugural role in 2020.
Professor Tur is responsible for enhancing respect for Indigenous knowledges and advancing outcomes across education, research, employment and wellbeing.
She also guides the Yunggorendi Student Engagement – a Flinders University hub that helps Indigenous students succeed.
Flinders Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling said the university was deeply committed to improving educational outcomes for First Nations students.
"We are dedicated to creating pathways that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed, and this Cygnet Award recognises our determination to break down barriers to participation and engagement at Flinders," he said.
"Many of our talented Indigenous students are trailblazers, often the first in their family or community to pursue higher education.
"By celebrating their achievements, we hope to inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps, knowing that Flinders is here to support them every step of the way."
SAGE chief executive, Janin Bredehoeft commended Flinders for its comprehensive support program for Indigenous students.
"Flinders deserves to be congratulated for prioritising and taking action on First Nations inclusion in a way that has had tangible impacts for Indigenous students," Dr Bredehoeft said.
The twin Cygnet honours build on Flinders' 2019 Bronze Award accreditation under the SAGE-administered Athena Swan framework.
More info on Athena SWAN at Flinders is available online.
