The University of Western Sydney establishes, the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education to provide a range of services for staff, students and community members in accessing higher education. The centre has offices located on each campus across UWS. The establishment of the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education demonstrates the University’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Aboriginal Rural Education Program (AREP). This block mode model is designed to afford Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the capacity of remaining in their community to fulfill their family, community, career, cultural and social responsibilities. To study a block mode program requires Indigenous students to attend four to six residential schools per year, each lasting approximately one to two weeks. Travel, accommodation and meal costs to attend workshops are funded for Abstudy approved students. Dr Shane Smithers, a Darug man, is a senior lecturer at the Centre until 2012. The Darug elder Aunty Sandra Lee is on the committee to offer community consultation from the Darug Community.
