If, as expected, the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education gains university status in 2001, it will become the country's first full-fledged aboriginal university. Located 60 miles south of Darwin, the territorial capital, Batchelor is surrounded by vast territory that is home to more than 35,000 aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders inhabitants. The overwhelming majority live in tiny, widely-scattered rural communities, making provision of services such as education difficult and expensive. Although the school has 2,000 students, hardly any live on campus. Teachers visit students in about 250 communities, some of which are accessible only by light aircraft.
Students generally come on campus only for workshops and examinations.
But we embrace and respect aboriginal tradition and culture strongly. Many are unwilling to leave their communities where, as educated people, they can fill vital posts in health, education, or administration. With a new applied-science degree program, including specialties in land management and primary health care, things are looking up for aboriginal education down under. It has no emissions other than oxygen, uses no fossil fuels, and even looks pretty. That's because Berkheya coddii is indeed a plant, absorbing nickel through its roots.