Respected Indigenous education advocate Professor Gary Thomas has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE), based at Â鶹ֱ²¥.<\/p>\n
Professor Thomas, Dean of Indigenous Education and Engagement at the University of the Sunshine Coast, will join the Advisory Board alongside other accomplished academics, government, and equity advocates, including Chair Ms Erin Watson-Lynn.<\/p>\n
Based at Â鶹ֱ²¥ since 2013, the NCSEHE provides national leadership in student equity in higher education, connecting research, policy and practice to improve higher education participation and success for marginalised and disadvantaged people.<\/p>\n
Â鶹ֱ²¥ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Cordery said he was pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Thomas, who would bring considerable insight and expertise to the Advisory Board.<\/p>\n
\u201cProfessor Thomas is a respected figure in the higher education sector, having held important academic, professional and senior executive roles and having been a major contributor to Indigenous education both nationally and internationally,\u201d Professor Cordery said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Centre will benefit greatly from the appointment of Professor Thomas, who will no doubt help it to remain an innovative leader in the sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
NCSEHE Director Professor Sarah O\u2019Shea said Professor Thomas\u2019 extensive experience in advocacy, governance and teaching would complement and extend the objectives of NCSEHE.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current health crisis, combined with the growing reputation and influence of the research we conduct, means that NCSEHE plays a key role in higher education practise and policy,\u201d Professor O\u2019Shea said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe appointment of Professor Thomas will further expand the expertise of the Centre ensuring we remain focussed on the needs of all of our students and retain relevance in all our equity activities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Thomas was the National Secretary of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium and member of the Academic and Research & Journal Working Groups for the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium.\u00a0 He is a Registered Expert for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Authority and in 2016, Professor Thomas became the first Indigenous Australian to be awarded Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK).<\/p>\n