INDIGENOUS Australians and educators from across the country will converge on the University of Ballarat in November for the third National Australian Indigenous Education Conference.
University of Ballarat vice-chancellor Professor Kerry Cox launched the conference yesterday at the Mt Helen campus Caro Convention Centre, where the conference will be held from November 15 to 18.
It will be the first time the biennial conference is hosted in Victoria.
Key note speakers will make presentations on strategies for enhancing the education of indigenous Australians.
Conference chairman Professor Colin Bourke said the fact that in the year 2000 only 36 per cent of indigenous Australians completed Year 12, compared with 73 per cent of all Australians, reflected a failure in education policy.
Local aboriginal artist Marley Smith presented a painting to the university depicting the spirit of the conference.
"It's all about ... coming together and to understand and educate one another on everyone else's culture - if you have no understanding, then there's no way of learning," Ms Smith said.
The centre of the painting, featuring a circle representing a meeting place, will be used as the conference logo.
Prof Cox said the university was proud to be involved in an event of such national significance.
The conference is expected to attract up to 300 delegates to the city.