LETTER: 150 Indigenous students in Batchelor Institute Central Australian graduation

Sir – More than 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from some 50 communities in all states and territories were honoured with awards at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education graduation ceremony held at the Desert Peoples Centre last Thursday.
It was another milestone for the institute in its continuous commitment and development of adult learning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Former outstanding student and now a successful Home Liaison Officer working with the Department of Education and Training, Debra Joanne Lyons, responded to the students, saying “ongoing study continuously inspires” her.
A multitalented Indigenous lecturer for Creative Writing, Yvette Holt, was the MC and entertained with her jokes and charismatic personality. Centre for Appropriate Technology Chairperson Peter Renehan emphasised both the resilience of Indigenous people in spite of numerous challenges and that Indigenous people continue with their efforts to grow stronger as a community.
Batchelor Institute Director, Adrian Mitchell, said the institute is growing stronger than ever. Our higher education courses, delivered in partnership with Charles Darwin University are closely aligned to key employment opportunities, particularly in rural and remote Australia. Batchelor has a long history of contributing to the development of stronger, safer and healthier communities, and the new facilities at the Desert Peoples Centre, shared with our partners the Centre of Appropriate Technology, offer the opportunity for a sustained period of growth for the Institute.
Our dedicated staff here in Central Australia have established relationships with industry, the community and other organisations, Mr Mitchell said.
Head of Faculty Health, Business and Science, Professor Jan Schmitzer said through education, Indigenous people can strengthen their identity, achieve success and transform their lives.
Imran Naveed
Senior Marketing and Communications Advisor
Batchelor Institute
Pictured from left are Fiona Kitson, Coordinator Yvette Holt, Director of Batchelor Institute Adrian Mitchell and Paul Haines.