Archive for November 18th, 2011

The Oorala Aboriginal Centre at the University of New England will celebrate its 25 years in higher education with an Anniversary Ball on the University’s “Booloominbah” lawns on Saturday 10 December.

Founded in 1986, the Centre is commemorating its 25-year history of offering facilities, programs and services of a nationally recognised standard to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have chosen to study at UNE.

The name “Oorala”, from a local Aboriginal word meaning “a camp” or “a place where people come together”, was chosen by Aboriginal students enrolled at UNE when the Centre opened. It reflects the historical significance of the site and its connection with the local Aboriginal community, and also highlights the Centre’s significance as a place that draws together Aboriginal students from all regions of Australia.

In September Oorala’s founding Director, Lynette Riley, presented the 2011 Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture to mark the 25^th year of the annual UNE lecture series that she established in the year of the Centre’s foundation.

“With the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at UNE having grown each year – from 20 enrolments when the Oorala Centre was established to more than 475 enrolments this year – we have much to celebrate,” said the Director of the Centre, Debra Bennell. “The Oorala Centre is committed to access and participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from communities around Australia, and to supporting their achievements. Since 1990 more than 550 of those students have graduated from UNE.”

“Oorala is inviting community members to join current and former staff members and students for a great night out on the 10^th of December,” Ms Bennell said. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates of UNE, and Directors and members of staff who have worked at Oorala throughout the years, will be especially welcome to get together at the Ball.”

The Oorala Anniversary Ball, beginning at 6 pm, will include a formal dinner with entertainment by the Buddy Knox Blues Band. Tickets, costing $80 per person, are available in limited numbers. People wishing to attend can contact Oorala on (02) 6773 3164 to buy tickets by the “RSVP” date of 30 November. Details and a payment form are also online at www.une.edu.au/oorala.

The University of New England will launch a seminar series next week that aims to stimulate critical thinking and collegial discussion about recent innovations in teaching and learning.

Throughout 2011 and 2012, UNE will bring a diverse range of expert speakers to this exciting new seminar series facilitated by Professor Victor Minichiello, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of The Professions and Professor Don Hine, School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences.

The seminar series will provide an important opportunity for UNE staff, students, and the general public to learn about new developments in pedagogy and technology that have the potential to transform higher education in Australia and across the world. The seminars will also provide a forum for discussing the opportunities and risks of these new developments, and implications for academics, students, and the future of tertiary education.

Upcoming sessions include:

November 24, 2011
12.00 to 2.00 pm – Lewis Lecture Theatre

Presenters:
Professor Philip Long, Director of the Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology, University of Queensland and Professor Jim Barber, Vice-Chancellor and CEO, University of New England

Topic:
From Teaching to Learning Redux – Technology for Emerging Humans and an illustration via the UNE Future Campus

December 8, 2011
12.00 to 2.00 pm – Lewis Lecture Theatre

Presenter:
Professor Josep Duart, Open University of Catalonia, Spain

Topic:
Using technology to deliver higher education to disadvantaged groups.

February 9, 2012
12.00 to 2.00 pm – Lewis Lecture Theatre

Presenter:
Dr. Rosalind James, Director DEHub Project, UNE

Topic:
EduONE: Bringing communities and education together

UNE staff, students and members of the general public are welcome to attend and a light lunch will be provided at all seminars. For more information visit: www.une.edu.au/une-itl.