More than 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander USC graduands will celebrate the completion of their degrees at a ceremony on campus tomorrow (Tuesday 4 April).

The event, to be held at USC’s Buranga Centre from 5.30-7.30pm, will include the presentation of specially designed Indigenous Australian stoles for the graduands to wear at USC’s graduation ceremonies later this week.

Head of USC Indigenous Services Dr Keane Wheeler said tomorrow’s celebration was for the largest group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students ever to graduate at once from USC.

“We have 21 Indigenous students preparing to graduate from undergraduate degrees, and four receiving postgraduate degrees,” he said. “It’s important for us to recognise the hard work and commitment they’ve shown to succeeding in their programs.

“Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill will present them with Indigenous Australian stoles to wear proudly at their official graduation ceremony in the days ahead.

“Each of these students is a fantastic role model. For instance, one of our Education/Arts graduates is now working as a teacher in a remote community in Far North Queensland.”

Dr Wheeler said the recent launch of the USC Innovate Reconciliation Plan had reaffirmed the University’s commitment to growing enrolments and lifting the success rates of Indigenous Australian students.

“It’s perfect time to celebrate the presence and achievements of USC’s Indigenous Australian community,” he said.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolments at USC are really accelerating, and we want to redouble our efforts to help even more students succeed.”

Almost 1,400 USC students will graduate over nine USC graduation ceremonies at Matthew Flinders College Performance Centre from April 5-7.

— Gen Kennedy