Charles Darwin University’s commitment to improving the participation of Indigenous Australians in higher education and in employment in university management has been highlighted with the 2007 Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Cadetship.
Darwin-born and raised Marc Polain is this year’s successful candidate for the Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Cadetship. Marc began the Cadetship on 23 July and has never looked back.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Garnett, has an active interest in Marc’s progress and met with him earlier this month.
On completion of Year 12 at Taminmin High School in 2006, Marc applied to study part-time while working part-time. But, after completing his first semester, he began to enjoy the university environment and changed to full-time study. He is enrolled in the Bachelor of Visual Arts.
When Marc completes his degree, he would like to work as a professional comic artist with a syndicated comic strip for a newspaper or other publication. He also would like to work as a mentor or teacher to other Indigenous students to help develop their artistic abilities, self-esteem and career opportunities.
Marc will be entitled to an allowance of $12,000 a year and will be provided with mentoring and tutoring by CDU. Successful completion of the degree will position Marc to gain graduate employment in one of the diverse areas of university management.
The Vice-Chancellor established Indigenous Undergraduate Cadetships to assist high-achieving Indigenous students to enrol in and successfully complete an undergraduate degree.
As part of the program, the cadet must be eligible to enrol as a full-time student in an undergraduate course at CDU. An opportunity to undertake work placements at CDU during major semester breaks is also part of the program.