Curtin University has appointed Associate Professor Simon Forrest as the new Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS).
Simon is part of the Nyungar/Yamajti/Wongi people and joins CAS from the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health.
Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, Professor Robyn Quin, said CAS would benefit from Professor Forrest’s highly-regarded expertise in the areas of Aboriginal education, history and politics and culture.
“Simon is a great asset for CAS and we look forward to having him at the Centre and welcoming him to the Curtin community,” Professor Quin said.
Associate Professor Forrest, who holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education from the University of Western Australia, said he was looking forward to his new role and being a part of the tight-knit team at CAS.
“Curtin is committed to Indigenous education and has the highest number of enrolled Aboriginal students in an Australian university, so it’s a great opportunity to be working here,” Associate Professor Forrest said.
“I feel privileged and honoured to be able to work with the Nyungar people at Curtin and Aboriginal people from across Australia.”
Associate Professor Forrest has been recognised through many awards such as the National Scholar of the Year – NAIDOC National Awards, the Adelaide WA Aboriginal Education and Training Award and the Aboriginal Education Awards of Excellence, Perth.
He is Western Australia’s longest serving Aboriginal academic, and is following in his uncle’s footsteps in his new role.
His uncle, Victor Forrest, was part of the team that established CAS in 1983.
Associate Professor Forrest started in his new role at CAS in mid-September.
Contacts:
Bonnie Ripper, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 4364, Mobile: 0401 103 373, Email: b.ripper@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
