Indigenous Education and Research Centre launch

Professor Martin Nakata and Professor Sandra Harding

Professor Martin Nakata and Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding at the launch of the Indigenous Education and Research Centre.

James Cook University in Cairns has launched a new home for Indigenous Australian studies, as well as a new name for the Centre.

The Indigenous Education and Research Centre brings together research, teaching and support staff who were previously located around the campus, and also provides space for students to study, collaborate and socialise.

“This new centre will provide a place of belonging – a meeting place for the already strong and supportive community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars we have on campus,” Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Martin Nakata said.

“What we aimed for is a place where students can come and be motivated by the presence of a community of hard working Indigenous students and staff who are all focused on doing the best they can to improve their futures, and those of their families and communities.

“It is primarily an educational space – a place where Indigenous students can come to learn from Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals who have the knowledge, experience and skills to assist and guide them toward success in their educational endeavours.

“It is a place that will support them while they work out what it means and what it takes to be a university student, a JCU student.”

Professor Nakata said the name change for the Centre had been decided on as a result of consultation.

“We felt the new name better reflected the work of Centre, which has Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander priorities at its core, but also has a broader role in addressing the interests of Indigenous populations across the Tropics,” he said.