Institute of Koorie Education

Deakin is extremely proud of its Institute of Koorie Education (IKE). The Institute draws students from all over Australia and is the largest provider of Koorie higher education in Victoria. Its success stems from its community-based delivery model that enables Indigenous students to continue contributing to their communities while they complete their courses.

Redressing imbalance
Awards and anniversaries
Your opportunity to be involved
Further information

Redressing imbalance

It is well known that Indigenous Australians continue to be under-represented in the Australian higher education sector. Deakin University has sought to redress this imbalance by resourcing a unique approach to providing educational services for Indigenous students that is championed by its Institute of Koorie Education.

Working in collaboration with Indigenous Australian communities and relevant stakeholders, the Institute identifies, plans and delivers Deakin's educational programs in a way that meets the cultural and learning needs of Indigenous students.

Awards and anniversaries

Deakin's approach to Indigenous education was commended by the Australian Universities Quality Agency for successfully providing Indigenous students with access to higher education and the Institute's teaching model was described as an exemplar for Australia.

In 2006 Deakin University is celebrating its twentieth year of providing education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education students. From initial programs in education, courses now encompass a range of disciplines, including professional awards in law, nursing and social work and postgraduate programs in health and environmental science. Since 2001 the Institute has enrolled more than 300 new and continuing students annually. The Institute has produced more than 400 graduates.

Your opportunity to be involved

The Institute of Koorie Education would welcome financial participation from business and philanthropic organisations in three areas:

Provision of buildings and facilities
Scholarships
Research development

Organisations can help expand higher education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through donations or financial assistance.

Deakin University's approach to Indigenous education ensures that students from rural, remote and metropolitan areas, across all age ranges, are able to undertake studies without compromising family or community responsibilities. This means students are still able to contribute to the economic and social growth of their communities. Financial support for the Institute's students contributes to the sustainability and growth of Indigenous communities.

Further information

Discover more about the Institute of Koorie Education or contact University Development.

"My name is Eve Brown and I am from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications at the Institute of Koorie Education in 2005.

"I believe it is important to have scholarships to help with studies. I started my studies at another university but I had to leave because of financial difficulties. Living in a remote area, they don't have the facilities to learn, so when I have to go away to learn it's a lot of money. Coming down here it's a lot easier because of scholarships and financial support. Being able to get financial support through a scholarship at Deakin University has really made a difference.

"In my work I deal with isolation, alienation and identity. I am torn between my own life issues and how they differ from those of my ancestors. I document history, my history. This narrative gives my work a healing value, not only to me, but also to my family, my race and the broader community.

"The two places present in my work are Karuah, my mother's country and Lightning Ridge, the place where I was reared and where I still live. The spiritual dimensions of these lands give me a strong sense of place."