An Aboriginal student has failed in his bid to sue the University of Wollongong for race and disability discrimination.
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Yuin man Blaan Davies requested leave from his course so he could make a complaint of race and disability discrimination in education against UOW.
But the Civil and Administrative Tribunal NSW made a ruling last month in which it refused to grant Mr Davies leave to pursue the legal action, finding the case had no merit.
Mr Davies was enrolled in the University Access Program in preparation for applying to enroll in degree courses over a period of three years.
Mr Davies, who has not progressed to enrollment in degree courses, lodged his complaint on February 4, 2019 with the president of the Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB).
He alleged that the university has discriminated against him in the area of education, on the grounds of race and disability.
Mr Davies alleged UOW had presumed his Aboriginality made him less able to complete his university studies than non-Aboriginal students, leading to him being placed on 'exclusion status'.
He also alleged that staff at Woolyungah Indigenous Centre lacked knowledge of local Aboriginal communities and failed to assist him to continue his studies.
Mr Davies also claimed UOW failed to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate his thumb injury and presumed that he had a mental health disability.
UOW denied that the staff at Woolyungah Indigenous Centre lacked knowledge of local Aboriginal communities and failed to assist Mr Davies to continue his studies.
The university also rejected the allegation it had misjudged Mr Davies' disability and that it had refused to provide student support via disability services.
UOW asserted that Mr Davies had been offered the use of a laptop computer to assist him with his studies.
The ADB president declined Mr Davies' complaint on the basis it was lacking in substance.
On the request of Mr Davies, the president referred the complaint to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
In its decision, the Tribunal stated that it was highly unlikely that a Tribunal would find that Mr Davies was treated less favourably by UOW on either the grounds of race or disability, saying there was no evidence asuch.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
