2024 National Indigenous Engineering Summit

National Indigenous Engineering Summit 2024

The 2024 National Indigenous Engineering Summit aims to bring together delegates with a cultural, academic, or professional background in engineering knowledge and First Nations pathways into technical pursuits.

Welcome

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land and waterways in which the National Indigenous Engineering Summit takes place, the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.

We pay respect to their Elders past and present, and acknowledge the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the Academy. As a community of researchers, teachers, professional staff and students, we are privileged to work and learn every day with Indigenous colleagues, partners and community members.

Overview

The 3-day summit will be held on the Parkville campus at the University of Melbourne between Monday 18 November to Wednesday 20 November. The summit aims to bring together delegates with a cultural, academic, or professional background in engineering knowledge and First Nations pathways into technical pursuits.

There will be an optional cultural activity conducted prior to the Summit on Sunday 17 November, that we also invite you to attend.

The summit will focus on three topics:

  • Day 1: Growing Indigenous Participation in Engineering and IT
  • Day 2: Celebrating and Elevating Indigenous Engineering Knowledge
  • Day 3: Improving Digital Competencies and Community Access to Engineering and Technology Solutions

National Indigenous Engineering Summit Dinner (Day 2)

Join us for the National Indigenous Engineering Summit Dinner on Tuesday 19 November, proceeding Day 2. This will be an opportunity for delegates to deeply network with other attendees and meet leaders at the University of Melbourne.  The venue will be located on university campus at 185 Pelham St, Carlton.

FEIT Partnership Reception

The FEIT Partnership Reception will be taking place on Wednesday 20 November 6:00pm – 8:00pm and is a special event that celebrates the remarkable contribution of our partners, supporters and benefactors, acknowledging their essential role in driving enduring impact and advancing our FEIT 2025 Strategy. Delegates attending the National Indigenous Engineering Summit are invited to attend the partnership reception proceeding Day 3.

Program

Please find the current program below. Any updates to the program will be communicated to our registered attendees.

Program – National Indigenous Engineering Summit 2024

Call for Abstracts

We are inviting all interested delegates to submit an abstract proposal that relates to one or more of the three topics covered between Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

The format of the summit can accommodate workshops, panel discussions or presentations. Recommendations from the review panel for abstract submissions will assist in finalising the program.

Abstract proposals should be between 300 – 500 words and emailed to Tyrina Garstone: engit-engagement@unimelb.edu.au by Monday 21 October, and will also indicate:

  • The Summit topic(s) relevant to the proposal.
  • The proposed format of delivery (e.g. workshop, presentation, panel discussion etc).
  • The presenter(s) or facilitator(s) names, position and organisation as relevant.
  • The proposed duration of the session, noting sessions are between 40 minutes and 1 hour and 20 minutes in length. Formal presentations within each session should be limited to approximately 10-30 minutes to enable opportunity for audience interaction and a Q+A.

Submissions do not need to be in the format of a formal proposal as we would like to ensure all attendees have an opportunity to present and contribute. Please reach out to Tyrina Garstone: engit-engagement@unimelb.edu.au for any assistance or enquiries.

Registration and Cost

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology is committed to ensuring a strong representation of Indigenous delegates at this event to allow equitable knowledge sharing. For non-Indigenous parties interested in attending, we request that you bring along an Indigenous colleague, community member or elder that would also benefit from attending. Non-Indigenous delegates will need to sponsor the registration and any associated travel costs for their guest.

The National Indigenous Engineering Summit aims to convene representatives from the professional, community and academia. The registration fee supports members of the community to travel and participate in this important discussion.

Cost

Inclusions

Summit + Dinner
$200 including GST

  • Summit Attendance Day 1-3
  • Summit Dinner on Day 2
  • FEIT Partnership Reception on Day 3 (complementary)

Summit
$150 including GST 

  • Summit Attendance Day 1-3
  • FEIT Partnership Reception on Day 3 (complementary)


Please register for your ticket(s) via the following Eventbrite link by Friday 1 November:

National Indigenous Engineering Summit 2024

Key Dates

Monday 21 October 2024
11:59PM

Calls for abstracts close

Friday 1 November 2024
11:59PM

Ticket registrations close

Monday 18 November 2024

Summit commences

Wednesday 20 November 2024

Summit concludes

Contact Information

For event queries contact:
Tyrina Garstone 
Indigenous Projects Coordinator  
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne
Email: engit-indigenous@unimelb.edu.au

Artist acknowledgement - Banner Image
Working with Country, Shawana Andrews, 2015
The image represents Indigenous ways of knowing and working with country that reflect a reciprocated custodial relationship with nature’s elements. Earth, fire, wind and water are featured as key elements of Indigenous engineering. Earth is represented with square blocks of knowledge that is mined not only for its industrial use and economic value but for its spiritual significance. Fire is represented as a significant means of land management and agricultural sustainability. Wind is represented through its relationship with time as cultural memories (depicted as moths) travel through generations along songlines. Water is represented by fish swimming in a reed weaved fish trap. The fish symbolise students entering and exiting the trap through recruitment, retention, graduation and capacity building.