The National Indigenous Engineering Summit will explore how culture contributes to knowledge and how Indigenous perspectives, engineering, and education can come together to shape the future.
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 17 November to Wednesday 19 November. This year's Summit will explore how culture contributes to knowledge and how Indigenous knowledges, engineering, and education can come together to shape future systems of research, practice, and teaching.
There will be an optional cultural activity conducted prior to the Summit on Sunday 16 November, that we also invite you to attend.
This year’s Summit will continue to explore the four evolving pillars:
- Growing Indigenous Participation in Engineering and IT
- Celebrating and Elevating Indigenous Engineering Knowledge
- Improving Digital Competencies and Community Access to Engineering and Technology Solutions
- Fostering Cross Cultural Competence in Engineering and IT
National Indigenous Engineering Summit Dinner (Day 2)
The National Indigenous Engineering Summit Dinner on Tuesday 18 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.
FEIT Partnership Reception
The FEIT Partnership Reception will be taking place on the evening of Wednesday 19 November and is a special event that celebrates the remarkable contribution of our partners, supporters and benefactors, acknowledging their essential role in driving enduring impact. Delegates attending the National Indigenous Engineering Summit are invited to attend the partnership reception proceeding Day 3.
Registration
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.
Register for the 2025 National Indigenous Engineering Summit here
Cost
The National Indigenous Engineering Summit aims to convene representatives from across Australia. The registration fee supports members of the community to travel and participate in this important discussion.
| Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|
| Summit + Dinner $770 including GST |
|
| Summit + Dinner (Student) $300 including GST |
|
| Summit Dinner $200 including GST |
|
Delegate Sponsorship
The National Indigenous Engineering Summit is supporting sponsorship for Indigenous tertiary students and community members to attend and contribute to our event. This initiative aims to support access for emerging Indigenous engineers and influential community members to participate in a national dialogue on Indigenous engineering, innovation and representation in STEM.
We encourage host universities to cover the registration and travel costs of their students to participate in the Summit due to a limited number of sponsorship spots.
Successful applicants are expected to contribute to the National Indigenous Engineering Summit program through their abstract submissions, student-focused sessions and other discussions. We will consult with applicants on potential opportunities.
To be eligible for student sponsorship, applicants must:
- Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived
- Be currently enrolled at an Australian university and undertaking studies in an engineering or technology degree or research program
- Be willing to attend and contribute to the National Indigenous Engineering Summit between 16 - 19 November 2025
To be eligible for community member sponsorship, applicants must:
- Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived
- Be willing to attend and contribute to the National Indigenous Engineering Summit between 16 - 19 November 2025 (preference will be given to those submitting an abstract)
Call for Abstracts
We are inviting all interested delegates to submit an abstract proposal that relates to one or more of the four evolving pillars to be explored throughout the Summit.
Abstracts for this year's Summit will align with one of three interconnected streams:
- Indigenous Engineering Knowledges – Grounded conversations that elevate Indigenous knowledge holders, Traditional Owners, and community perspectives.
- Academic/Industry Engineering Stream – Work that explores Indigenous pathways and pipeline, cultural competence, engineering education, and collaborative research projects to drive meaningful change.
- Indigenous Students Engineering and IT Stream – Networking and discussions that amplify student success stories and projects.
The format of the Summit can accommodate a range of delivery styles including yarning circles, workshops, panel discussions, and presentations.
Abstract proposals should be no longer than 1-page emailed to Tyrina Garstone: engit-indigenous@unimelb.edu.au by Monday 6 October, and will also indicate:
- The Summit pillar(s) relevant to the proposal.
- The proposed format of delivery (e.g. yarning circles, 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 10-40 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.
Key Dates
- Monday 18 August 2025
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Abstract submissions open
- Monday 22 September 2025
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Abstract submissions close
- Monday 1 October 2025
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Ticket registrations open
- Sunday 16 November 2025
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Summit cultural activity
- Monday 17 November 2025
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Summit commences
- Wednesday 19 November 2025
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Summit concludes
2024 National Indigenous Engineering Summit
The 2024 National Indigenous Engineering Summit convened delegates with a cultural, academic, or professional background in engineering knowledge and First Nations pathways into technical pursuits.
With a particular focus on the foundational pillars, the Summit provided a platform for delegates to explore key challenges and share insights in their development of projects, partnerships and system change whilst forming strong networks with each other.
Accommodation
Travelling to the Summit? Please contact the team to access exclusive accommodation discounts or for more information at engit-indigenous@unimelb.edu.au.
Partner with us
If you’re interested in supporting the National Indigenous Engineering Summit, we’d love to hear from you. We're open to sponsorship, collaboration on future programming, or contributions in other meaningful ways.
To express your interest or to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact us at engit-indigenous@unimelb.edu.au.
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.