The first Indigenous graduate to receive a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been honoured with hearty applause at his graduation ceremony.

 

Dr Pat Bradbery, a Kamilaroi man from northern NSW, received his postgraduate award during three days of graduation ceremonies at CSU’s Bathurst Campus this week.

 

His thesis, ‘The essence of the experience of learning, development and the learning organisation’ explores the questions “How do we know when we are really learning something, how do we know we are undergoing mental development, and how do we know when we are working in a learning organisation?”

 

Dr Bradbery has lived in Bathurst in the NSW central west for 13 years and is the Director of the Professional Development Unit in the University’s Faculty of Business. The Unit works with corporate clients to develop and deliver customised educational programmes. By working closely with TAFE and other faculties of the university, the Unit ensures that the whole of the organisation’s learning needs can be served.

 

Dr Bradbery’s further research and professional directions include writing a book, ‘Learning to learn’, which will provide an innovative perspective on learning, particularly workplace learning. 

 

“The culmination of the work put into the doctorate is very satisfying and I hope the benefits will be reaped by Indigenous learners as well as non-Indigenous students,” said Dr Bradbery.

 

CSU is a leader in Indigenous education within its regions and across Australia. This is coordinated through the University’s new Centre for Indigenous Studies based in Dubbo in western NSW. The Centre is responsible for the delivery and governance of Indigenous education and research at CSU and is part of the Faculty of Education. It is staffed by academic and administrative officers to meet the goals of developing an Indigenous Education Strategy and monitoring Indigenous education initiatives at the University.

 

During the three days of graduation ceremonies at CSU’s Bathurst Campus, almost 1 900 students were awarded their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.