NTU faculty amalgamation angers indigenous students
NTU faculty amalgamation angers indigenous students
By Bernie Brian
DARWIN — A proposal to amalgamate the nine faculties at the Northern Territory University into four has angered students and staff of the Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (FATSIS).
The new faculties will group FATSIS with foundation studies and remote area training; business with arts and law; science with education; and technology with the trades schools. The NTU is a joint higher education and vocational education and training institution.
Most opposition has come from FATSIS. Previously, law students had embarked on a campaign to remain a distinct faculty, arguing that the quality of their degree would be compromised in a joint faculty.
At a press conference on November 13, the dean of FATSIS, associate professor Isaac Brown, argued that amalgamating FATSIS into another faculty would undermine indigenous self-determination and represent a return to the days of assimilationism.
The dean also stated that FATSIS was a unique institution because of its ability to provide special attention to "indigenous learning styles", its links with indigenous communities (25% of the NT population) and its role in fostering indigenous knowledge.
So far the university management has not responded to these specific concerns, but it has been embarrassed by the strong campaign by FATSIS.
On November 18, about 100 people, including representatives from the indigenous community, held a protest and smoke ceremony at the NTU campus to protest against the amalgamation.
There seems to be general acceptance that some rationalisation of faculty structures should take place. The Postgraduate Students Association has said that it would rather see the amalgamation of faculties than a repeat of the cuts to disciplines that occurred last year. The university abolished English and ceramics and made severe cuts to history and politics.
NTU is a small campus of fewer than 10,000 students and has been particularly hurt by the Howard government's education policies. Unlike other universities, there is a limited population from which the NTU can draw its enrolments and attract extra government funds.
The Postgraduate Students Association has argued that while some amalgamations may be necessary, FATSIS should be left alone. The vice-chancellor is to make a final decision at the end of November.
[Bernie Brian is president of the Northern Territory University Postgraduate Students Association.]