Faculty of Science and Technology

Australian Computer Society Indigenous Scholarship

Australian Computer Society (ACS) established a $5,000 annual scholarship at Charles Darwin University in 2018, to support and showcase Indigenous achievement in Information Technology studies. This initiative aims to inspire Indigenous students into technical careers as the number of Indigenous companies delivering technology related products and services has been on the rise in recent times.

PURPOSE

This scholarship, administered through the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), contributes to CDU’s priority as a University to be globally recognised for Indigenous Leadership. It specifically addresses the Faculty’s commitment to support Indigenous students taking the first steps and remain in University education. It also works towards expanding student access to education programs and enhancing students’ learning experiences and success.

This scholarship will have a positive impact on the Indigenous community in the age of advancements of digital technology.

SCOPE

This Faculty policy covers the administration of the ACS Indigenous Scholarship within the Faculty. The Faculty coordinates the selection of the successful candidate and the gathering of all required information for payment.

The Advancement Office is responsible for processing the payment and the sponsorship liaison.

DEFINITIONS

Advancement Office – The central unit in CDU that maintains engagement and links with the wider CDU community including alumni, Industry, supporters and friends.

ACS Indigenous Scholarship Nomination Procedure

The scholarship will be awarded based on academic merit, contribution to community through Integrated Learning and demonstrated passion for pursuing a career in the field of Information Technology.

The scholarship will be advertised on the IT Central Learnline page and clearly mentioned that this is meant only for students of Indigenous background.

The scholarship will be open for nominations after Census Date of Semester 2 each year.

Nomination and selection should be based upon:

The student must be enrolled in an IT course of FST in IT discipline

The student having completed at least 100 CPTs of study

Students providing a written case as to why they chose IT and how this scholarship will advance their career and community

Students meeting one or more elements of the integrated learning requirement

SELECTION

The Discipline Chair of IT in consultation with course coordinators and the Chair of the Network of Indigenous Partnerships, will select the successful candidate based on the following criteria:

The Advancement Office provides confirmation the nominated student is of Indigenous Australian descent.

Once selection is completed, the IT Discipline Chair will Inform the Faculty Administration Team to commence liaison with the student and the Advancement Office for payment.

SUBMISSION

Application should be submitted by email to
Dr Cat Kutay at cat.kutay@cdu.edu.au

Nomination closes on 18 Oct 2024.

AWARD DATE

The ACS Indigenous scholarship will be awarded at the year end and presented at the IT Code Fair.

ACS and the Faculty are proud to offer this scholarship and as such, the awarded student will be asked to participate in promotional activities of ACS in order to showcase this achievement.  To participate the student will need to complete the CDU Talent Release Form.

FACULTY SUPPORT

To further increase the opportunities this scholarship may bring, the Faculty can facilitate Indigenous mentoring opportunities for scholarship recipients. The aim is to link the Indigenous student with an appropriate mentor that can provide targeted mentorship for an initial period of six months.

Indigenous students who have been awarded the scholarship and are interested in this support can contact
fst-support@cdu.edu.au for more information.