SENATOR RIDGEWAY TO LAUNCH INDIGENOUS STUDENT SUPPORT PROJECT

With the aim of easing indigenous students' transition to higher education, the University of New South Wales Faculty of the Built Environment is launching the Built Environment Preparatory Program (BEPP).

Senator Aden Ridgeway, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the Australian Democrats, will present the keynote address at the BEPP launch on 25 June.

In 2002 the initial four-week BEPP course will introduce 15 Indigenous students to university study, to the career options presented by the built environment and will give the students the opportunity to meet Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners. Students who successfully complete the BEPP will be able to enrol in any of the six built environment programs offered by UNSW.

The BEPP was initiated by Dr Michael Tawa, senior lecturer in architecture, in collaboration with the Aboriginal Education Program. Dr Tawa said that "Indigenous practitioners can make really important contributions to the built environment - not only for Indigenous communities in the city, country and remote areas, but also in the mainstream professions, helping to make the built environment more socially, culturally and environmentally sustainable."

The traditional welcome will be given by traditional landowner Mr Chika Dixon and the BEPP will be officially launched by UNSW Chancellor Dr John Yu.

The BEPP adds to the successful pre-Law and pre-Medicine programs and aims to increase the number of Indigenous students studying in mainstream built environment programs.

WHAT: Launch of the UNSW Built Environment Preparatory Program
WHEN: Monday 25 June at 6.30pm
WHERE: Tyree Room, The Scientia, UNSW Kensington campus (enter via Gate 11 on Barker Street)

CONTACT DETAILS: Dr Michael Tawa, BEPP Coordinator Faculty of the Built Environment, tel. 9385 4832 or Victoria Collins, Public Affairs and Development, tel. 9385 3644.