December 2025

CDU Alumni E-News

Keeping you connected with CDU and the wider community

Dear ,

Our last eNews of the year is here! We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the Alumni eNews evolve in 2025.

In October we hosted our annual Alumni Awards Gala, and it was one of our best yet. Every year we get to celebrate the amazing things CDU graduates are achieving, and this time more than 150 people joined us at the Darwin Convention Centre to cheer on our finalists and winners. If you missed it, you can catch the event recap and meet this year’s award recipients here.

The past couple of months have also been huge for graduations. Sydney saw 300 graduates cross the stage, and Nhulunbuy celebrated almost 100 students from across East Arnhem. It’s incredible to see such strong growth in both regions, and we’re already excited for what 2026 will bring.

The Securing Territory Talent project is looking at why students stay in the NT, why some leave, and what might bring them back. If you studied in the Territory, your insights would be incredibly valuable. Have your say here: Securing Territory Talent | Have Your Say.

And a bit of exciting news to finish on: in 2026, we’re launching the CDU Alumni Volunteering Program — CDU Rise. If you’re keen to give back, connect with fellow alumni, and grow your network, send us an email at alumni@cdu.edu.au to join the volunteer mailing list and stay in the loop.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season, see you in 2026!

Until next time,

Your CDU Alumni Team

Group of indigenous elders stand around 3D map

3D printed map brings Elders’ knowledge to life

Multimedia and 3D technology are the latest tools being used by Elders in Maningrida to share their traditional knowledge and ancient stories, facilitated by a collaboration between Charles Darwin University (CDU) academics.

Woman on boat on the river holding a big fish

Stereotypes holding back Australia’s recreational fishing future, new study finds

Outdated stereotypes about who a “real fisher” is could be costing Australia’s recreational fishing industry valuable talent, creativity, and growth, new research from CDU suggests.

London leader appointed as new campus receives first applications

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is pleased to appoint Jodie Duignan-George to the role of Associate Vice-Chancellor (AVC) United Kingdom as the first applications for the University’s London-based degrees roll in.

The team from CDU Faculty of Health in Canberra to receive award.

Top End team receives gong in Canberra for a program changing the lives of Territorians

A preventative health program designed to reach some of the most remote homes in the Northern Territory has received national recognition after claiming a top health award.

PhD candidate Waseem Ahmed is working to develop a circular economy by using cotton waste to grow mushrooms.

Cotton trash to treasure: Project using waste to grow new mushroom industry

Supermarket shelves could be stocked with mushrooms grown from the Northern Territory’s cotton waste, with a CDU research project exploring the possibility of broadening the region’s agricultural industry.

Social media subjecting Black women to radicalised digital policing

Influencers use oppression, manipulation and weaponisation to police Black women on social media, according to new research uncovering the entrenched nature of digital racism. The study is by CDU Lecturer in Enabling (Humanities) Vimbai Mutero.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Adam puts all his energy into sustainability in the NT

Daniel stands in graduation gown and cap

Adam Bednarski has spent his life trying to understand how things work and how they can be improved. Now he's using his skills and knowledge to contribute to the sustainable future of the Northern Territory.

CDU Careers Centre

Did you know that you have lifetime access to CDU careers resources? Absolutely FREE! CDU’s online Careers Centre is jam packed with resources to help you navigate the next step of your career.

The CDU Careers team also post jobs and opportunities on their CDU Careers Facebook page so make sure you check it out!

Learn more

Stay connected

We encourage all alumni to stay involved in university life and contribute to current and future student's success. You can share your story, be a mentor or speaker, or provide a work placement to a current student.

Learn more

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Charles Darwin University acknowledges the traditional custodians across the lands on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

www.cdu.edu.au