• The Indigenous Access Program will run at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga from Monday 18 to Friday 22 November
• Program designed to prepare prospective Indigenous students for university
• Successful completion of program provides guaranteed entry into a broad range of Charles Sturt’s bachelor’s degrees

Prospective students converged at Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) in Wagga Wagga this week for the Indigenous Access Program.

The program is giving 23 participants, comprised of mature age students and recent school leavers from across NSW, Victoria and the ACT, the chance to gain entry to University after a week-long program of intensive workshops and testing.

Participants will be tested on literacy and numeracy skills, written and oral presentations, be interviewed by faculty members and informed of the support available for Indigenous students while studying at Charles Sturt.

Manager of the Indigenous Student Centres at Charles Sturt Mr Blake Dunn said those who successfully complete the program will gain entry into a broad range of the University's bachelor’s degrees.

“Hopefully at the end we can give prospective students the course they desire,” he said.

“The University is committed to improving educational outcomes and this is an initiative to create a safe access point for prospective Indigenous students.”

Mr Dunn said Charles Sturt is aiming to increase the amount of Indigenous students studying at the University and this program allows prospective students to overcome social or financial barriers to gain entry.

First-year Bachelor of Social Work students Miss Holly Boyland and Miss Eliza Green previously participated in the program and are now Charles Sturt residential advisors and mentors in this year’s Indigenous Access Program in Wagga Wagga.

Miss Green said meeting Charles Sturt staff and knowing there are support services available enabled her to transition into university life easier.

Miss Boyland said the program was “an amazing opportunity” and encouraged participants in Wagga Wagga this week to keep an open mind about the outcomes.

The Indigenous Access Program will run in Port Macquarie from Monday 2 to Friday 6 December 2019 Bathurst from Monday 3 to Friday 7 February 2020.

Charles Sturt has seven Indigenous Student Centres in Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Goulburn, with one recently opening in Orange.