Careers Advisers Workshop

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Careers Advisers Workshop
30th November 2009

• From
• Dr Keryl Kavanagh
• Deputy Director, English Language and Foundation
  Studies Centre
• Ms Sharlene Dyer
• Yapug Mentor / Lecturer, The Wollotuka Institute

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Yapug

• Yapug is a program designed to help Aboriginal
  and Torres Strait Islander people gain skills for
  entry into undergraduate degrees at the
  University of Newcastle.

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Yapug is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders wanting to

• Gain admission to an undergraduate degree at the
  University of Newcastle in, for example, the
  health sciences (including medicine), science,
  education, social sciences or business.
• Develop the academic skills necessary to succeed
  at university level.

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Yapug is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders wanting to

• Become familiar with the University of Newcastle
  and its environment and
• Develop different learning methods and skills,
  including problem-based-learning, whilst enjoying
  a supportive learning environment (culturally,
  personally and academically).

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Yapug

• Yapug offers flexible study options. Students can
  enter the program in either March or July and can
  choose to study
• Full-time over one year (two semesters) or
• Part-time over two years (three or four
  semesters).
• The maximum time allowed to complete the program
  is two years.

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Yapug

• Yapug is designed to develop the academic skills
  and self-discipline required for success in
  undergraduate study.

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Who Can Apply

• Any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
  who is
• At lest 18 years of age at commencement of
  program
• Who can provide Evidence of Aboriginality
• Applicants don't need to already meet the
  requirements for entry to university or have any
  prior experience

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What is the program

• Yapug will allow students to
• discover what their interests are and their
  capacity for on-going tertiary studies
• prepare for study at university level and
• obtain, on successful completion of the program,
  a ranking which allows them to apply for a place
  in an undergraduate degree program at university.

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Selecting courses

• The program is designed to provide a pathway into
  undergraduate degree programs. Students are
  placed into one of the four pathway programs
  below
• Health Sciences
• Education, Arts, Social Sciences and Design
• Business, Law, Commerce and IT
• Engineering and Science

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Yapug

• The Yapug program consists of a combination of
  courses available only to Yapug students and
  elective courses offered in our other Foundation
  programs.

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Orientation and Workshop

• The Orientation and Information workshop provides
  an opportunity to talk to people about Yapug and
  gain advice on choosing the most appropriate
  courses to prepare you for undergraduate study.
• A number of staff will be available to counsel
  and support students, and students will have the
  opportunity to familiarise themselves with the
  campus and its facilities.

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Costs

• There are no fees for the Yapug program.
• Students will not be liable for the Higher
  Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) during the
  Yapug program, but will be liable for HECS once
  enrolled in a university undergraduate degree.

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Scholarships

• Yapug students are eligible to apply for
  Indigenous Enabling Scholarships which are
  designed to help them financially while they are
  studying.
• Students who relocate to Newcastle to take the
  program may be eligible for additional support.

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Financial Assistance

• The Yapug program is Centrelink approved
• A full-time Yapug student usually qualifies for
  financial assistance through the ABSTUDY scheme.

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F A Q

• Q Do Yapug students have to apply through the
  Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for
  undergraduate admission?
• A Yes. Students are assessed on their Average
  Mark across their 80 units of courses. This
  average mark is converted to an Admission
  Ranking. Students are NOT sent an ATAR (UAI) by
  UAC. Students may contact the Foundation Studies
  office to discuss how their Average Mark relates
  to a Admission Ranking.

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F A Q

• Q Do Yapug students have to pass all their
  courses?
• A No, students must complete 80 units, but will
  gain a pass in the program if they pass 70 of the
  80 units studied.

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F A Q

• Q What evidence is required to prove
  Aboriginality/Torres Strait Islander status?
• A Applicants are required to provide evidence
  to demonstrate that they meet the following
  criteria for establishing Australian Aboriginal
  and/or Torres Strait Islander status
• that they are of Australian Aboriginal and/or
  Torres Strait Islander descent and
• that they identify as an Australian Aboriginal
  and/or Torres Strait Islander person and
• that they are accepted as such by the community
  in which they live or have lived.
• Further information is available in the
  University's policy Aboriginal and/or Torres
  Strait Islanders - Establishing Status within the
  University.

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F A Q

• Q What is the choice of courses (subjects)?
• A Students select an undergraduate pathway
  option and then choose their 80 units from the
  range of courses available in that pathway.
• There are two compulsory courses Aboriginal
  Tertiary Foundations in semester one and Directed
  Study 1 in semester two.

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The Wollotuka Institute

• Wollotuka was established to provide culturally
  appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres
  Strait Islander students

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The Wollotuka Institute

• On the Callaghan campus the Institute is housed
  in a uniquely designed learning space, the
  Birabahn building, which was developed to
  incorporate aspects of Indigenous practices and
  culture to present staff, students and community
  with a warm familiar environment. The design of
  the building incorporates the motifs of the
  Eaglehawk, a primary totem of the Awabakal
  nation. On the Central Coast campus the Institute
  is housed in the Gibalee Centre.

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Student Experience of Yapug

• Current Student
• Markeeta Marr
• Former Students now studying an undergraduate
  degree
• Sarah Wenham
• Kathleen Jackson

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Support available for Yapug Students

• Indigenous Student Support and Development is a
  major focus in the University's strategic plan. 
  The focus to increase and enhance student
  attraction, participation, retention and success
  is a vital component of Indigenous education at
  the University and nationally. 

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Support available for Yapug Students

• Mentoring
• Counselling
• ITAS (qualified tutors helping students with
  their studies)
• Resource centre
• Health support
• Cultural programs
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student
  collective

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Yapug mentoring program

• All Yapug students have access to a mentor
• Students are able to contact the mentor with any
  questions or concerns they may have regarding
  study, assignments or other issues they may be
  experiencing.

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Indigenous Intensive Student Support
Counselling

• Counsellor/Student Support Officer offers
  guidance and counselling to students who are
  experiencing personal problems including stress
  about their studies, personal and/or social
  concerns, loss and grief, family conflicts and
  relationship difficulties.
• Provide guidance to ensure students are prepared
  and informed about all aspects of their studies.

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Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS)

• ITAS arranges for qualified tutors to help
  students with their studies whether it be essay
  writing skills or any other relevant areas of
  study. 
• ITAS is aimed at providing Indigenous students
  enrolled in tertiary studies with supplementary
  assistance where regular support systems are
  insufficient to meet a specific educational need
  of Indigenous students.
• This aim is met by facilitating the employment of
  suitably qualified tutors to assist in personal
  or group tutorials

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Resource Centre

• The Resource Centre offers a large range of
  resources to students on Aboriginal topics and
  issues.
• A range of text, audio and visual materials can
  be accessed, as well as photocopying and printing
  facilities available.

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Cultural Programs

• The Wollotuka Institute runs a variety of
  cultural programs throughout the year for
  students including
• Orientation / Cultural camp
• Events for reconciliation, NAIDOC, etc
• Aboriginal art workshops
• Traditional Aboriginal society workshops
• Bush tucker workshops

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Student Collective

• The Indigenous Student Collective is run by
  Indigenous Student Convenors who are elected
  annually by undergraduate Indigenous students at
  the University.
• The Convenors are also represented on the
  Newcastle University Student Association (NUSA).
  The Collective is a great opportunity for
  students to provide an Indigenous voice on the
  Student Association as well as the Institute.
• All Indigenous students are encouraged to attend
  Indigenous Student Collective meetings which are
  held regularly throughout the year.

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Student Collective

• The Indigenous Student Collective runs several
  student based activities throughout the year
  including
• Student BBQs
• Away from Uni activities such as ice skating,
  bowling, movie nights etc
• Indigenous student games

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Facilities available to Indigenous Students 

• Computer Room We offer a room designated for
  enabling and undergraduate student use with ten
  computers and two printers. This room is situated
  in the Birabahn building and is open for use
  during office hours Monday to Friday. Access is
  via swipe card and appropriate application forms
  can be provided at Wollotuka reception.
• Other Study Rooms - There are two other rooms
  available in the Birabahn building for ITAS
  tuition and also for Indigenous Medical student
  use. 
• Kitchen and Function Room area - This area is
  also located in the Birabahn building for
  students use.  It offers tea and coffee making
  facilities as well as a place to relax with
  friends.
•  

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DISCUSSION
CRICOS Provider 00109J www.newcastle.edu.au