Our School

Kurongkurl Katitjin – a Nyoongar phrase meaning ‘coming together to learn’ – characterises our work and history.

Our history and role

Kurongkurl Katitjin was established in 1993, shortly after the former WA College of Advanced Education became Edith Cowan University (ECU). It is now one of five schools in ECU’s Faculty of Education and Arts.

The beginning of Indigenous programs at ECU date back to 1975, when the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program was established on the Mt Lawley campus. In 1976, the first group of eleven Indigenous students entered the Diploma of Teaching (primary) course through special entry provisions.

As well as being one of the first universities in Australia to offer special entry provisions for Indigenous students to enter degree courses (1976), ECU was the first to offer a bridging program in external mode (1978), and an innovator in establishing off-campus centres to serve students in rural and remote locations (1983). Kurongkurl Katitjin serviced degree units in Aboriginal Studies/Education from the early 1980s until 1995, when the School developed its own units.

Today, Kurongkurl Katitjin offers a range of courses directly for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, and provides support to Indigenous students across the University. Kurongkurl Katitjin is based on ECU’s Mt Lawley campus, and also supports students from ECU’s South-West campus and through Regional Centres at Broome and Geraldton.

We also have active research programs that aim to contribute to Indigenous wellbeing and promote the process of reconciliation.