New research into Indigenous access programs at universities has identified areas of improvement that could better attract and retain Indigenous Australians in tertiary education.

Central Queensland University pro-vice chancellor professor Bronwyn Fredericks said the 12-month project sought to explore current practices in Indigenous access courses, particularly in regional dual sector universities.

She said Indigenous Australians measured success in education differently and so their courses should be structured accordingly.

"Things like how does it contribute to their culture, how does it contribute to what they want to do within their family or community? The Indigenous community, not just the broader community," she said.

"What they can build on in terms of Indigenous knowledge, as well as bringing Indigenous knowledge to the world and how that contributes to future empowerment and self-determination for Indigenous people too."

Professor Fredericks said they identified a need for recognition of Indigenous people as "story tellers" when developing the curriculum.

"It's about the way that Indigenous people look at knowledge and transfer knowledge from one another and I think that adds strength to curriculum more broadly," she said.

"The more that we can look at how our education in a delivery sense can incorporate multiple ways of learning and teaching is only going to benefit lots of different people."

sited on http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-22/hopes-for-new-research-to-improve-indigenous-access-to-uni/7189274