The Indigenous Tailored Academic Program (ITAP) is credited by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as the key to their success at university. Eligible students are appointed tutors who work with students to improve their academic progress and outcomes. At the heart of the program are a group of dedicated and passionate tutors and mentors like Asher Taccori.
Asher studied nutrition and dietetics at UOW, connecting with WIC community and taking on the role of an ITAP tutor which he has proudly held for ten years.
“I naively believed that the program was designed to only tutor students academically. Although this is partly its purpose, I quickly discovered that my role was a partnership between myself and the students,” Asher said.
The relationships formed with students drive their desire to learn and persevere while learning a range of skills such as organisation, identifying career ambitions, critical ways of thinking, essay writing, and comprehension.
The relationships also benefit tutors with many tutors acknowledging that they learn as much from the students as the students learn from them. ITAP also provides opportunities to its tutors, helping them identify their own passions and career goals.
“ITAP kept me afloat over the past 8 years of tertiary study, but it also allowed me to find a new passion in teaching and mentoring and help me in my future dream to be a doctor,” Asher said.
Asher followed his dream to become a doctor and is currently on his final placement in Tanzania, Africa. Asher’s choice in placement reflects his commitment to not only providing health services but to help develop the capacity of local doctors and in doing so grow the wellbeing and overall health of the community.
The overseas experience will help Asher when he returns to Australia where he hopes to continue working with Indigenous communities. Asher says that the gap between the medical health of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians demands action and education. The combination of Asher’s clinical expertise and proven educational ability puts him in good stead to make a significant impact as a graduate of medicine.
“I would love to help close this gap in doctors in rural locations. I believe the health and education sectors are worthy of our investment,” Asher said.