These university programs are inspiring a new generation of Indigenous engineers

Excerpt and Photo from createdigital.org.au

Indigenous Australians have unique perspectives on the environment that are vital to solving sustainability challenges. These university programs are dedicated to valuing this knowledge and developing a cohort of passionate Indigenous engineers.

Indigenous Australians make up 2.5 per cent of the population, but only 0.5 per cent of engineering students.

Initiatives such as the National Indigenous Summer School and the National Indigenous Engineering Autumn School, both run by the Australian National University (ANU), are key to boosting Indigenous participation rates.

The week-long programs, catered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in year 10 and 11, are designed to simulate the university experience both socially and educationally, to support students in their career aspirations and goals.

And with Australia experiencing an ongoing need for qualified engineers, along with myriad sustainability and climate challenges, the benefits are twofold.