Release type: Media Release

Date:

New Indigenous Centre for Charles Darwin University

Ministers:

Senator the Hon Chris Evans
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations

The establishment of the new Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Education (ACIKE) at Charles Darwin University was today recognised at a ceremony attended by Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education.

Senator Evans said the new Centre will transform teaching, learning and research in relation to Indigenous knowledge in Australia.

“This project is not only an example of the Gillard Government’s commitment to higher education, research and training, it also shows our strong commitment to closing the educational gap between Indigenous Australians and the rest of the community,” Senator Evans said.

“It is tremendously encouraging to see Charles Darwin University and the Batchelor Institute partnering to deliver higher education in new ways, building on their individual strengths to create a new joint venture that will help close the gap in higher education for Indigenous Australians.

“By working together, these two Northern Territory institutions will jointly deliver qualifications in the areas of health, education and Indigenous knowledge.”

The new facilities will include:

  • a two-storey, 3500m2 building with an IT-enabled literacy laboratory,
  • shared teaching spaces,
  • Indigenous support and advisory staff front counters,
  • gallery space showcasing Indigenous activities and office space for the co-location of Indigenous research groups, academics and teaching staff, and
  • a 30-bed accommodation section for Indigenous and other remote students on CDU’s Casuarina campus.

The Australian Government has committed $30.65 million to this project through Round 2 of the Education Investment Fund (EIF).

Since 2008, the Australian Government has committed $4.5 billion to provide funding for projects that create or develop significant infrastructure in higher education, research and vocational education and training institutions.

Of the 61 infrastructure projects supported through the four competitive rounds of the Education Investment Fund, 13 are now complete and delivering outcomes for students, staff and the nation across the tertiary education sector.

In this year’s Budget, the Australian Government committed $500 million for a Regional Priorities Round of the Education Investment Fund to give students, staff and researchers in regional Australia access to world-class teaching, training and research facilities.