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CDU Alumni E-News
August 2024 Issue
2024 Scholarship Celebration brings donors and scholarship recipients together
CDU’s annual Scholarship Celebration was recently held under a beautiful dry season sunset in the Taman Indonesian Gardens.
CDU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman, spoke of the importance of scholarship funding support provided by a broad variety of donors to the University. He highlighted that for the average student who is struggling to make ends meet in these financially challenging times, the awarding of a scholarship supporting their studies makes such a difference to their peace of mind, financial stability and ability to study well to achieve their career goals.
PhD student and this years' recipient of the Cycas Scholarship, Porni Mollick, delivered the student address. Pursuing her doctorate at CDU’s Research Institute of Environment and Livelihoods, she is mapping and modelling the tropical wetland changes in Northern Australia with a focus on the Northern Territory. Her research outcomes will be a valuable guideline for the Northern Territory Government to conserve and manage the territory’s wetland environment and associated ecosystems and inform policy and decision making.
“Completing this PhD degree will have a substantial influence to shape my career. Your generosity not only assists me in achieving these goals but also motivates me to give back to the community and help our environment with my skills and knowledge” Porni said.
An inspiring keynote address was delivered by Mr. Harley Paroulakis, CEO of the Paspalis Corporation and Founder and CEO of Darwin Innovation Hub. Mr. Paroulakis is a generous donor to the University, having established the Paspalis scholarship which also includes a paid vocational work placement with Paspalis Corporation.
“CDU is very fortunate to have both corporate and individual donors providing generous student scholarships for both vocational and higher education. Over the past 12 months, $760,000 has been received from our committed and generous donors. This has allowed us to offer more than 180 scholarship places to students during a period that continues to be incredibly challenging” said Professor Fiona Coulson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic. “For some of our students, receiving a donor-funded scholarship has meant the difference between commencing or continuing their studies, and not. “
Another notable recipient is James Cooper, who received the 2024 Sabrina J Di Lembo Memorial Scholarship. James is a member of the Australian Defence Force and currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with plans to support fellow service men and women after completing his studies.
The annual CDU Scholarship Celebration is co-organised by the University’s Community Connections and Scholarships teams. The Community Connections team works closely with donors to create scholarship opportunities that suit both our students’ needs, and our donors’ wishes.
CLICK HERE to learn how you can make a difference by supporting current CDU students in their studies.
Iconic Australian Dr Jack Thompson AM delivers this year’s Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture
Iconic Australian actor and First Nations advocate Dr Jack Thompson AM delivered the 23rd Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture at Charles Darwin University on Wednesday 7 August.
The annual Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture commemorates the historic Wave Hill Station walk-off led by Gurindji leader Vincent Lingiari in 1966. This was a catalyst for recognising traditional land rights and inspired national change for equal wages and conditions for First Nations workers.
Funding boost for invaluable bushfire mapping service
The North Australia and Rangelands Fire Information service (NAFI) at Charles Darwin University (CDU) will continue to guide thousands of people through Northern Australia’s intense fire seasons after being awarded a Federal Government grant for operations.
NAFI received $588,000 through the Disaster Resilience Australia Package to continue operations in 2024/25.
Rare footage reveals intimate family lives of blue whales
A Charles Darwin University (CDU) graduate has used the power of music to help improve language and literacy skills in children across Australia, including First Nations children in remote NT communities.
Over three years, Master of Education graduate Chris Aitken, from Melbourne, produced a collection of songs and stories written by children living in 50 remote communities across Northern Australia – including Peppimenarti, Barunga, Ngukurr and Belyuen in the NT.
From hairdresser to business owner
Esme Pye was 16 years old when she left Australia for the United Kingdom to be a hairdressing apprentice, but she missed the sunshine so returned home before completing the apprenticeship.
Once back in Australia, she realised she also missed hairdressing and it was only after a visit to Charles Darwin University (CDU) Alice Springs campus she became determined to do both.
CDU partners with Hoops 4 Health to celebrate NAIDOC week
This NAIDOC Week Charles Darwin University (CDU) is joining forces with a leading Northern Territory organisation that empowers First Nations young people and communities through the sport of basketball.
CDU’s First Nations Leadership and the Men@CDU program is collaborating with Hoops 4 Health, an organisation that provides opportunities for positive change through mentors and healing centred sport.
Study shows how AI can be a ‘crystal ball’ for businesses to stay afloat
Businesses unsure how to survive the next global tragedy should have no fear, with a new study showing how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help organisations stay afloat in rapidly changing times.
The new study led by Charles Darwin University (CDU) examined how AI can predict what factors impact an organisation’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from economic disruptions.
$3.5 million to fund new CDU TAFE Trades Training Centre in Katherine
Today at the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Katherine Rural Campus, the Honourable Brendan O’Connor MP Minister for Skills and Training announced CDU TAFE will receive $2.5 million to build a new Technical Trades Training centre on the site.
The funding has come from the Commonwealth TAFE Technology Fund and will aim to address gaps in vocational education and training in the region and provide training for emerging skills priorities in the region, with CDU also contributing $1 million dollars to the project in collaboration with Department Industry Tourism & Trade (DITT).
CDU strengthens defence ties with Alliance
Charles Darwin University (CDU) will bring its strategic location and unique research capabilities to the table of an important organisation dedicated to advancing Australia’s defence innovation, science, and technology capabilities.
With support from the Northern Territory Government, CDU has become a member of the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA), a node of the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN), which brings together research institutes and industry to find solutions for defence problems.
CDU outlines 22 policy requests for next NT Government
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has outlined a series of education, infrastructure, economic, cultural and science policy requests for the next Northern Territory Government.
The University has compiled a list of 22 policy requests and delivered it to all Members of the Legislative Assembly in the leadup to the 2024 Northern Territory General Election.
CDU partners with NAAJA to deliver True Justice Program
Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Law School is partnering with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) to provide students with a unique glimpse into the legal system from the perspectives of First Nations Peoples.
In a first for CDU, the five-day True Justice Deep Listening on Country elective unit will see 10 second-year law students examine the current Australian legal education, legal practice, law and justice in relation to First Nations Peoples.
New student accommodation for CDU City Campus
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has received land in the Darwin CBD from the Northern Territory Government for the development of purpose-built student accommodation, next door to CDU’s City Campus.
The new student accommodation building – expected to house around 350 students, will be located across the road from the campus, also known as Education and Community Precinct | Danala, on a part of the site at 56 Woods Street Darwin.
Global research warns climate change is increasing groundwater temperatures
A world first global groundwater temperature model projects that shallow groundwater will warm on average by between 2.1 and 3.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) Outstanding Future Researcher Dr Dylan Irvine and University of Newcastle’s Dr Gabriel Rau collaborated with colleagues from Canada, Germany, and Austria to develop the model, which aims to reveal the long-term implications of on-going shallow water groundwater warming caused by climate change.
Nominations are now open for the 16th Australia China Alumni Awards
Nominations close at midnight (China time) on Sunday 15 September. For information about the nomination process and to access the online application forms CLICK HERE
CDU welcomes decision to financially support students during work placements
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to bring in paid placements for certain study areas, including in regional and remote areas as it will help northern Australia’s essential worker crisis.
The benefit of paid placements for regional and remote communities in improving workforce numbers was a key reason that the recommendation was in the University’s submission to the panel developing the University Accord.
Australia’s outback trainers travel more than 2000 km a week to teach students
Charles Darwin University’s Katherine Rural Campus workplace delivery trainers can travel more than 2000 kilometres in a week to meet with students on some of the most isolated cattle properties on earth.
They use stock roads, satellite phones and intuition to ensure their students receive their resources and assessments and have the skills and knowledge to work on Remote Stations. Once they arrive it is not a typical classroom setting but a stock-camp. Picture swags around a campfire, camp chairs and sheltering laptops from the dust.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Dr Jayson Ibanez
Class of 2015 - Doctor Philosophy
Winner - CDU International Alumni Award 2023
Dr Jayson Ibanez’s attachment to the national bird of the Philippines, the critically endangered Philippine eagle, has spanned almost 30 years of study and conservation work. It all started with an article in an old magazine.
“When I was in high school, I saw photos of the Philippine eagle in an old National Geographic. I immediately fell in love with the bird,” he says.
While studying wildlife biology at university, his interest in saving the species was solidified before finding a role as a biologist with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).
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Are you a CDU graduate living outside of Australia?
CDU alumni are a vibrant community of more than 70,000 former students and are spread across more than 140 countries around the world.
Remaining connected and engaged with our alumni is important to us. No matter where you go, CDU will always be there for you.
We are hoping to better connect with our overseas-based alumni by developing international alumni chapters in countries that our graduates reside in.
If you graduated from Charles Darwin University and are currently living outside of Australia, we would love to hear from you!
Update your details by clicking below, or reach out to us by email to alumni@cdu.edu.au
LinkedIn Learning Access
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Alumni Access to CDU Portal
You can now access the CDU portal after you've graduated, so you'll have continued access to online and on-campus library resources, careers centre and your CDU email address.
CDU Careers Centre
Are you looking for a job, promotion, or career change? Did you know that you still have access to CDU careers resources? Absolutely FREE! CDU’s all new online Careers Centre is jam packed with resources to help you navigate the next step of your career. All you need to do is activate your Alumni Account, access the CDU portal then click on the Career Centre tile.
The CDU Careers team also post jobs and opportunities on their CDU Careers Facebook page so make sure you check it out!
Library Access
Though you may have finished your formal study at CDU, with an alumni account, you will have access to a select range of CDU Library’s online resources, which includes access to a growing number of high-quality databases, e-journals and e-books, you are always welcome to borrow physicals materials from any our campus libraries.
Are you passionate about education, research and innovation, or did you benefit from the generosity of others during your studies? Consider a gift to reward outstanding scholars, support a student scholarship or research project, or to develop the resources of the university.
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Charles Darwin University acknowledges all First Nations people across the lands on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders both past and present.
