In 2017 The University of New South Wales (UNSW) will offer a scholarship for Indigenous students who apply to study for a bachelor in Landscape Architecture.
Sponsored by Arcadia Landscape Architecture, the scholarship intends to raise the profile of the landscape architecture industry amongst Indigenous school leavers, highlighting the career opportunities available in an industry, which will benefit from their cultural perspective.
Welcoming the news was the Dean of UNSW Built Environment, Professor Helen Lochhead who observes that working with Indigenous practitioners on design projects brings a different sensibility and perspective, increasing the integrity of a design response.
Catherine Evans, Director of Discipline – Landscape Architecture at UNSW was similarly confident that the scholarship will bring about diversity in the bachelor of Landscape Architecture curriculum, suggesting that it gives UNSW a significant incentive to shape the curriculum in ways that both reflect and respond to contemporary cultural priorities.
She added that the representation of Indigenous students in the landscape program will empower all students to emerge as young design professionals capable of working with diverse landscape values and settings.
By introducing the scholarship, Arcadia hopes to encourage Indigenous students, who have an interest in the landscape, art, science and design disciplines, to not only enter, but to eventually champion and shape the industry.
The Landscape Architecture degree is part of UNSW Built Environment, and graduates will have the opportunity to contribute to the future of Australia by designing world-class landscapes and creating spaces that bring people together.
