Who we are
The William Cooper Institute connects research, learning and engagement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities through the establishment of a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model of Indigenous leadership and participation across and within the University.
The Institute oversees the development of targeted strategies to increase the participation of Indigenous students across the country, in particular, graduate students and those from regional areas. It also implements comprehensive engagement programs with secondary schools, and strengthens connections with Indigenous community-controlled organisations, to build greater awareness of the University’s educational offerings, pathways, entry schemes, scholarships and support programs.
The William Cooper Institute subsumes the Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit, and facilitates interactions and engagement between:
- Indigenous student recruitment and support services
- Indigenous staff recruitment and support services
- Monash Indigenous Study Centre: run as a school out of the Faculty of Arts, the Centre provides students with opportunities to gain knowledge and understanding of Australian Indigenous cultures, traditions and histories.
- Gukwonderuk Unit: run as a unit out of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, the Unit supports students by providing subject-relevant resources and a student lounge to enable more Indigenous people to become health care providers, educators, researchers and leaders
- The growing Indigenous support offerings run out of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, including the Wominjeka Djeembana Lab for Indigenous research
- A network of Monash Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander career researchers
- Faculties