The Office of the Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement and Yunggorendi First Nations Centre has been restructured into one office, the Office of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement, effective from Monday 17 August 2015.

Yunggorendi First Nations Centre for Higher Education and Research and its variously named predecessors was established as the University’s Indigenous Education Program/Centre in 1990. Since those early days of two staff and 12 Indigenous students on campus it has developed a strong presence as the vehicle through which Flinders has engaged with Indigenous students, staff and community. In 2011 the Office of the Dean was established, reflecting national trends in the higher education sector to provide enhanced executive level strategic leadership to the University. Yunggorendi has reported to the Office since 2013.

Under the new Office structure there will be three portfolios: Yunggorendi Student Engagement; Tjilbruke Teaching and Learning; and Research.

Each portfolio will be headed by an Associate Dean who will have responsibility for facilitating broader engagement across the University with their professional counterparts consistent with the implementation of the Flinders Indigenous Engagement Strategy.

“The restructure is a natural progression to facilitate a distributed leadership model through delegated leadership of specific portfolios building on the work of many in Yunggorendi and in the broader University community over many years,” said Professor Daryle Rigney, Dean of the Office.

“We believe the Office of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement model provides clearer purpose and structure to respond to “the Flinders challenge of developing Indigenous research, teaching and learning, employment and student engagement, access and outcomes.

“Indigenous Higher Education at Flinders University enjoys a significant local, national and international reputation and it is our intention to continue to lead a whole of University responsibility to improve the lives and well-being of Indigenous Australians.”

For further information on the restructure please contact: Mandy Price, 8201 5329 or email mandy.price@flinders.edu