The University of Sydney has launched the MyGadigal Scholarship for all eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate students, part of the University’s ongoing efforts to achieve parity in higher education.
An additional $1.4 million has been invested for the first year of a three-year pilot, to provide annual scholarships of $8,500 from Semester 2 and beyond.
Close to 400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander continuing and commencing students are expected to receive a scholarship in Semester 2, including around 214 new MyGadigal scholars.
Federal Minister for Education the Hon. Jason Clare said the MyGadigal Scholarship was a fantastic initiative.
“It’s exactly the sort of thing that helps remove barriers and open the doors of opportunity for more young Indigenous students. It will help more students get the skills and qualifications they need and build the life of their dreams.”
Most generous scholarship of its kind delivered at scale
The University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott, said the MyGadigal Scholarship would bring the University’s support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in line with the support provided through the University’s MySydney Entry and Scholarship Scheme for undergraduate students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
“Expanding access to education is a major priority of the University of Sydney and we’re incredibly proud to now offer the MyGadigal Scholarship, the most generous scholarship of its kind to be delivered at scale for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
“We know Indigenous students can face significant barriers that may prevent or limit participation in higher education or create additional challenges to progression and achievement while studying.
“We’re delighted to be able to expand the positive outcomes we’ve seen from MySydney as these students tell us they feel supported and are more confident in their finances, and as a result continue to perform academically.”
Education has always had the power to change lives, but for too long in Australia, access has been unequal.
Professor Reuben Bolt
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services)
Achieving parity in education
MyGadigal Scholarship recipients, Kobe Sabatino-See Kee (right), from the Torres Strait, and Zack Boundy (left), a Ngiyeempaa man. Photo credit: University of Sydney / Maja Baska.
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LinkThe MyGadigal Scholarship will run alongside University of Sydney admission pathways including the Gadigal Entry Program and the Extended Bachelor’s Programs which lower the minimum ATAR requirement for students applying through these pathways and provide support through the University’s Gadigal Centre, with initiatives including Mentoring Our Brothers and Sisters (MOBS) and the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS).
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), Professor Reuben Bolt said the scholarship was a powerful and practical way the University can help increase the opportunity for access and success for Indigenous students in higher education and beyond.
“Education has always had the power to change lives, but for too long in Australia, access has been unequal.
“There is no question that Indigenous peoples in Australia continue to experience some of the most significant forms of disadvantage, stemming from historical marginalisation and impacting every Indigenous community in Australia, and since the establishment of the National Closing the Gap framework, there has been little improvement across various initiatives.
“Achieving parity in education is a goal that I would like to see realised, and I’m grateful that here at the University of Sydney this ambitious initiative will increase access and support the development of Indigenous leaders who will help shape our future.
“We’ve already seen that where barriers are removed, participation increases – in Semester 1 this year we saw a 32 percent increase in enrolments from Indigenous students thanks to our Gadigal Entry Program, the expansion of our MySydney Entry and Scholarship Scheme and greater accommodation support for students.
“We’re also working on further plans to increase access and support for Indigenous higher degree by research and postgraduate students through targeted bursaries.”
Increasing access for regional and remote students
Aspiring psychologist and mature aged student Kobe Sabatino-See Kee grew up thousands of kilometres away from the University of Sydney on Horn Island (Ngurapai). He says the MyGadigal Scholarship would be especially significant for regional and remote students.
“It’s reassuring to know that the University cares and that financial support is available.
“I previously stepped away from a degree I was studying because of my financial situation – knowing that there is now a safety net and a bit of extra support helps.
“It’s a big decision to study, and I’ve had periods where I’ve thought I might have to go back to work instead because of the costs. It can be difficult to balance study with work, or find a job that is flexible to suit my university schedule.
“I’d like to do an exchange at some point, I’m learning Japanese and it would be great to use some of the scholarship funds towards doing a study abroad experience in Japan.
“After that it’ll also be useful for day-to-day living costs, and as a rainy-day fund.”
Torres Strait Islander student Kobe Sabatino-See Kee in the University’s Gadigal Centre. Photo credit: University of Sydney / Maja Baska.
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LinkMyGadigal Scholarship recipient Zack Boundy. Photo credit: University of Sydney / Maja Baska.
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LinkFirst year Economics student and Ngiyeempaa man Zack Boundy agrees, having moved to the University from remote NSW. Originally enrolled in the Extended Bachelor’s Degree program, which offered students a similar scholarship, Zack transferred courses at the end of last semester and was no longer eligible for his previous scholarship.
For Zack, receiving the MyGadigal Scholarship is a relief.
“I was pretty much working full-time before I started studying, and the transition from home to Sydney was massive. Finding work was really difficult to start with.
“Having a scholarship when I moved helped me relax, and I was able to spend more time getting ready for studying and making friends rather than going straight back into working.
“And now, with the MyGadigal Scholarship I know I can eat this week and next, and I can pay for my accommodation. I feel encouraged to work on my studies and also like I can do more of the fun stuff – what they say uni is all about.
“It’s better to have a weekend off than a weekend working.”
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