CQUniversity Australia
 

Engaging Indigenous people within Higher Ed

CQUniversity's Office of Indigenous Engagement recently hosted a visit from the Oodgeroo Unit of Queensland University of Technology (QUT), at Rockhampton Campus.

Professor Anita Lee Hong, Director of the Oodgeroo Unit, and Lone Pearce, Project Officer, met with Office of Indigenous Engagement staff to discuss employment issues and best practice models for engaging Indigenous people within the higher education sector, including governance matters.

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Memories of cowboys in India as students endorse course evaluation charity option 

CQUniversity Learning Management students Samantha Hearn and Megan Findlater still have strong memories of volunteering as teachers in New Delhi earlier this year, remarking on the amazing diversity of middle class and slum areas right alongside each other...

PhotoID:14689, Samantha Hearn (left) and Megan Findlater share memories of their volunteer teaching in India. LINK for larger image
Samantha Hearn (left) and Megan Findlater share memories of their volunteer teaching in India. LINK for larger image

One of their strangest memories was sitting on saddle seats in a Mexican restaurant, being served by Indian waiters dressed as cowboys while listening to reggae music being played by a Tibetan.

PhotoID:14696, LINK for larger pictures: Samantha Hearn (top image) and Rebecca Findlater (middle image) and one of their classes in India (bottom)
LINK for larger pictures: Samantha Hearn (top image) and Rebecca Findlater (middle image) and one of their classes in India (bottom)

Some of their fondest recollections were times spent teaching former street kids who are being helped by the Salaam Baalak* charity, which CQUniversity helps to sponsor.

"They had a lack of teaching resources but we stuffed our suitcases to ensure we had some to use," Megan says.

"It was great to see how far Salaam Baalak has come since it was set up."

Samantha is proud to have contributed to the charity's educational programs and thinks the children gained plenty despite language challenges.

"They have to deal with a succession of teachers with Aussie, American and British accents," she says.

Both Megan and Samantha are encouraging CQUniversity students to help raise funds for Salaam Baalak by nominating the charity during course evaluations each term.

Students providing feedback for course evaluations have the option of being in a prize draw or to give up their place so funds can instead flow to Salaam Baalak or CQUni Cares (financial assistance for students in need).

PhotoID:14697, CQUni learning management students pictured with one of their classes in India
CQUni learning management students pictured with one of their classes in India

Students can provide course feedback via their online 'Moodle' site (via the 'Have Your Say' big red button) each term.

You can also LINK HERE to support the Salaam Baalak Trust

* Salaam Baalak Trust provides support services for children in difficult circumstances. Each year, it reaches out to over 5000 children through 17 full-care and drop-in shelters and outreach programs in the national capital region of Delhi.

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