Social Inclusion
Social inclusion is about providing access to everyone, no matter what their background, who has potential to benefit from higher education.
As well as orchestrating opportunities to attract and integrate students from diverse cultural backgrounds, we are enhancing our commitment to local students whose circumstances limit their access to tertiary study through a range of equity based scholarships and university access pathways.
Warawara – a focus on Indigenous studies
Warawara is our Department of Indigenous Studies. As well as being a teaching unit, Warawara facilitates educational opportunities for Indigenous people and offers support to Indigenous students enrolled at Macquarie.
Warawara encourages Indigenous participation at Macquarie in many ways. These include facilitation of an alternative entry program aimed at providing access for Indigenous people to undergraduate courses, through the provision of accessible residential or block attendance courses, and through the granting of several undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships.
Warawara also promotes knowledge of Indigenous Australia through the teaching of Indigenous studies and the promotion of Indigenous perspectives within courses across the University.
Promoting access and equity
We are committed to engaging Indigenous youth in science and technology. For a number of years a group of our scientists have been involved in organising activities for Indigenous high school students through the Indigenous Science Education Program. A measure of the program's success is demonstrated by the fact that 14 Indigenous students have graduated from Year 12 this year at Maclean High School, compared to just four in 2007. The majority of this group have participated in the program since Year 9.
A second exciting accomplishment of the program has been the creation of three generous scholarships for Indigenous students, the first of which will be offered in 2009. In partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Macquarie will offer three cadetships worth more than $300,000 over five years for Indigenous students to undertake full-time tertiary studies in science.
Scholarship Support
Macquarie University offers a range of generous scholarships for school leavers and undergraduate students. Our scholarships have a strong emphasis on social inclusion and equity and are awarded on the basis of financial need and other hardship. Other scholarships recognise factors such as academic excellence, sporting achievement, outstanding character and extra-curricular activities.
In 2008 we committed an extra $700,000 for scholarships, increasing both funding and availability of our flagship scholarships which include the Macquarie University Merit Scholar Program and Scholarship, the Macquarie Education Costs Scholarship and the Macquarie Accommodation Scholarship.
Our scholarships for Indigenous students, which include the Macquarie University Village Housing Scholarship, the Macquarie Indigenous Top-Up Scholarships and the Indigenous Access Scholarship, also benefited from the injection of extra funds.
We also offer a range of faculty-specific scholarships as well as sports scholarships for our elite student athletes.
Alternative entry pathways
Macquarie also offers a number of alternative entry pathways which provide access to prospective students whose personal circumstances may impinge upon their ability to gain entry to university via the established entry schemes.
UniTEST
Offers admission opportunities to students who are talented, but may have faced difficulties or disadvantages at a crucial time in their schooling.
Mature Age Jubilee Scheme
Offers undergraduate places to people who are 21 years of age or over and who have not had the opportunity to study previously at university degree level or higher.
The Educational Access Scheme (Lighthouse Scheme)
Gives consideration to applicants whose educational performance during Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent has been seriously affected by circumstances beyond their control.
The Warawara Alternative Entry Program
Aimed at increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation within bachelor level programs across all areas of study within the University.
Where to Now?
If you think you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship or for consideration under an alternate entry pathway, please contact us:
Contacts
Brian Hurd
Manager Scholarship and Prizes
Email: bhurd@reg.mq.edu.au
Tel: +61 2 9850 7321
Fax: +61 2 9850 7249
Ms Susan Page
Director of Warawara
Email: susan.page@scmp.mq.edu.au
Tel: +61 2 9850 8634
Fax: +61 2 9850 7735
Diversity Week
Students, staff and the local community are encouraged to come together on campus annually to attend and participate in a smorgasbord of free events highlighting our diverse identities and backgrounds. Visit Diversity Week for more information.