Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolling in graduate programs within the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics will be automatically considered for full fee remission scholarships from 2025.

The initiative aims to advance First Nations leadership in business and academia while fostering self-determination through education.

Dr Mark Jones, an Indigenous Lecturer at the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, described the program as a meaningful step towards reconciliation in the education space.

"This scholarship demonstrates the University's commitment to supporting First Peoples' leadership and creating pathways for Indigenous students to thrive in enterprise disciplines," he said.

The Business and Economics Indigenous Graduate Scholarship covers tuition fees for programs such as the Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Business Leadership (GCIBL) and the forthcoming Master of Indigenous Business Leadership, set to launch in 2025.

The GCIBL is Australia's only business program designed entirely by and for Indigenous people, taught by First Nations academics from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

The GCIBL prepares students for leadership roles in various sectors, with an emphasis on addressing culture, trauma, and colonial impacts in a safe learning environment.

Delivered online, the program ensures accessibility for students across the country.

"We have students from Western Australia, the ACT, Queensland, and New South Wales, and a culturally safe environment is crucial," Dr Jones said.

"All students and academics in this program are First Peoples, creating a unique and supportive space for learning."

The scholarship program is demand-driven, reflecting the growing interest among Indigenous students.

"We've already seen strong uptake, with eight students progressing to the Master's level and inquiries steadily increasing for the GCIBL," Dr Jones said.

He highlighted the transformative impact of the program on students' confidence and abilities to navigate institutional environments.

"Education contributes to First Peoples' intellectual and economic self-determination," he said.

"This program ensures they can be themselves, blossom, and succeed."

The Dilin Duwa Centre, which oversees the program, operates under the guidance of an Indigenous Advisory Group and collaborates with the Faculty of Business and Economics and Melbourne Business School.

It aims to create equity for First Nations people in the economic landscape.

Reflecting on the importance of culturally safe spaces, Dr Jones said when students are part of an environment where they feel "respected and understood," which is "incredibly empowering."

"They build networks and relationships that extend beyond the classroom," he said.

For prospective students, the centre provides tailored support, including success coordinators, tutoring, and accessible guidance throughout the enrolment process.

"We make sure every potential student understands the program and has an easy transition into university life," Dr Jones said.

Dr Jones encouraged Indigenous students to take advantage of the opportunities, highlighting the program's role in shaping future leaders and academic contributors.

"There's no better way to attract more students than by word of mouth," he said.

"A great university experience inspires others to follow."

More information is available via the Dilin Duwa Centre's website.