THE University of Newcastle has launched a framework that brings together plans to improve the life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, students and staff.
UON launched its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Research Framework on Thursday, National Close the Gap Day.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership, Nathan Towney, said cultural knowledge and understanding was at the centre of the framework.
"It guides every initiative, ensuring we are culturally responsive," he said.
"Building on all our earlier work and achievements, we are focused on engaging the entire university community in the process of breathing life into the visions shared in this plan."
Mr Towney said the framework would guide UON's work over coming years.
"We are determined to be a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and knowledge is woven into each aspect of the university - our relationships with communities, the way we teach, learn and research and how we foster reconciliation in our regions."
The framework will provide a roadmap for staff in planning, implementing and evaluating activities across UON and is interconnected with a number of UON strategies and plans.
It focuses on four pillars: cultural knowledge and understanding; participation and retention; research to influence change and engagement and community collaboration for reconciliation.
He said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led partnership structures at UON would lead the measurement, monitoring and eventual evaluation of the success of the framework.
