On 18 July 2025, Tirkangkaku (pronounced TUR-kang-ka-koo) was gifted by the Kaurna People as the Aboriginal name for Adelaide University. It means place of learning, it honours Adelaide University’s connection to Country and commitment to First Nations education.
Tirkangkaku – meaning Place of Learning – is a gift from the Kaurna People who represent more than 65,000 years of continuous knowledge and discovery. It honours the University’s connection to Country and its commitment to ensuring the transformative potential for all.
Adelaide University is the first university in Australia to have provision for an Aboriginal name in its founding Act. The name emerged through collaboration, proposed by Senior Kaurna Elder, Dr Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O'Brien AO, in consultation with Aboriginal staff and the University of South Australia’s Purkarninthi Elders in Residence with agreement from Uncle Rod O’Brien. Cultural consent was received from Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi and endorsed by the Adelaide University Transition Council.
Listen to Dr Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien AO talk about the launch of Tirkangkaku and the significance of the name.