The team behind Australia’s first Aboriginal-run, on-country university campus, Wuyagiba Bush University, has taken out the Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award at this year’s Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Awards.
Turning vision into reality is the work of Dr Helen Rogers, Mr Godfrey Blitner, the late Dr K Rogers, Annette Daniels, Heather Ponto, Aunty Sue Pinckham, Cynthia Turner, Dean Austin Bara, Regina Rogers, Renee Cawthorne, Andrea Jaggi, Dr Emilie Ens and Sam Ricketts.
The Bush University education model strengthens local Traditional Knowledges, practices and languages of Arnhem Land while drawing on Western technologies and skills, enabling students to navigate both knowledge systems.
Educator Annette Daniels, who has never been to university, is proud to have taught Indigenous science knowledge to her Country, Wuyagiba.
“This award is very important to me because our knowledge was not written down until recently,” Annette says.
“It’s recognition of our old people and past generations, sharing knowledge down the generations and to me now as a cultural teacher.
“I learnt from my mum Dr Cherry Wulumirr Daniels OAM - I am her youngest daughter. I also learnt from Dr K and Dr Helen Rogers who set up the Bush Uni in 2018.
“This award is for the old people and our community,” Annette said.
And the winner is... Wuyagiba Bush University.
The course offerings, include two unique units developed and taught by local knowledge holders in collaboration with local ranger, language and art groups: Caring for Country and Culture, and Indigenous Science. An adaptation of the Indigenous Science unit is now taught at Macquarie University by Indigenous Fellow and Wiradyuri PhD student Renee Cawthorne, who also helped initially develop the course on Country at Wuyagiba, raising awareness of Indigenous STEM to thousands more students.
Since 2018, the program has recorded more than 200 enrolments and more than 150 students have graduated from its four accredited units. Forty students have gone on to enrol at Macquarie University.
Proud Warndarrang woman Regina Rogers was the latest to have graduated from Wuyagiba Bush Uni in April 2026, inspiring the way for a stream of graduates expected from 2027.
Macquarie University Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) Sam Ricketts said winning the prestigious ATSE Award for Traditional Knowledge Innovation demonstrates the importance of bringing together cultural knowledge, community leadership and education to create meaningful opportunities for current and future generations.
“This is an incredibly proud moment for the Wuyagiba Bush University community and a powerful recognition of the knowledge, strength and innovation that exists within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Wuyagiba Bush University is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when Indigenous knowledge, self-determination and community aspirations are at the centre of learning. At Macquarie University, we are proud to support this work," says Sam.
"This award belongs to the community, the knowledge holders and everyone who has contributed to making Wuyagiba Bush University what it is today. It is a reminder that traditional knowledge is not simply something to preserve from the past, but a living source of innovation, strength and possibility for the future.”