Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University
Aboriginal Australians are entering university in greater numbers than in past decades, yet many struggle to complete their degrees. This paper reports on the qualitative component of a research project aimed at enhancing understandings about this issue by investigating student perspectives about th...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Cambridge Journals
2015
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/14882 |
| _version_ | 1848748742412337152 |
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| author | Oliver, Rhonda Grote, E. Rochecouste, J. Dann, Tomzarni |
| author_facet | Oliver, Rhonda Grote, E. Rochecouste, J. Dann, Tomzarni |
| author_sort | Oliver, Rhonda |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Aboriginal Australians are entering university in greater numbers than in past decades, yet many struggle to complete their degrees. This paper reports on the qualitative component of a research project aimed at enhancing understandings about this issue by investigating student perspectives about those structures that facilitate or impede their retention. Interview and survey data were gathered from 57 participants at one university and analysed for emerging themes. The findings demonstrate a diverse Indigenous student population in terms of age; comprised personal, professional and university networks; institutional services and resources; and the students’ personal qualities and study practices. Factors perceived to obstruct retention included: a lack of support from some teaching staff, schools and faculties; financial insecurity; and often interrelated issues surrounding university workload, jobs, health, as well as family and community responsibilities. These findings are discussed in the light of relevant literature and recommendations. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:09:53Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-14882 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:09:53Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | Cambridge Journals |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-148822017-09-13T15:01:02Z Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University Oliver, Rhonda Grote, E. Rochecouste, J. Dann, Tomzarni Aboriginal Australians are entering university in greater numbers than in past decades, yet many struggle to complete their degrees. This paper reports on the qualitative component of a research project aimed at enhancing understandings about this issue by investigating student perspectives about those structures that facilitate or impede their retention. Interview and survey data were gathered from 57 participants at one university and analysed for emerging themes. The findings demonstrate a diverse Indigenous student population in terms of age; comprised personal, professional and university networks; institutional services and resources; and the students’ personal qualities and study practices. Factors perceived to obstruct retention included: a lack of support from some teaching staff, schools and faculties; financial insecurity; and often interrelated issues surrounding university workload, jobs, health, as well as family and community responsibilities. These findings are discussed in the light of relevant literature and recommendations. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/14882 10.1017/jie.2015.16 Cambridge Journals restricted |
| spellingShingle | Oliver, Rhonda Grote, E. Rochecouste, J. Dann, Tomzarni Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University |
| title | Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University |
| title_full | Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University |
| title_fullStr | Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University |
| title_full_unstemmed | Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University |
| title_short | Indigenous Student Perspectives on Support and Impediments at University |
| title_sort | indigenous student perspectives on support and impediments at university |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/14882 |