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CDU Alumni E-News
October 2023 Issue
LAST CHANCE FOR TICKETS
Don’t miss out on your ticket for the 2023 CDU Alumni Awards Gala. Join us as we celebrate the outstanding achievements and exceptional contributions made by our alumni to the community and their professions.
With Jo Laverty, Breakfast presenter on ABC Radio Darwin as MC and live entertainment by The Kicks featuring Natalie Pellegrino, this all-inclusive dinner is sure to be a night you'll remember!
6:00pm, Thursday 2 November 2023
Waterfront Rooms, Darwin Convention Centre
Dress Code: Territory Rig
Limited tickets are available. Book now to avoid missing out!
Smiles and cheers for CDU graduates
Charles Darwin University proudly celebrated the graduation of over 1,000 students during Semester 2 at its Darwin and Sydney ceremonies. This joyous occasion was made even more memorable as it marked the first on-campus graduation in 12 years at the Casuarina Campus, and commemorated 10 years of CDU's Sydney Campus.
The Occasional Address was delivered by former CDU Vice-Chancellor and current Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University Professor Barney Glover AO, who opened the Sydney campus ten years ago.
Professor Glover remarked on the Campus’s impact since its inception and its remarkable growth in the last 10 years. “CDU has done a tremendous job of offering accessible learning to the greater Sydney area, the growth the campus has had in the last 10-years is a testament to the importance of offering flexible learning in major centres,” Professor Glover said.
“I am honoured to be invited to address the 2023 graduating class and wish them all the success as they enter the next stage of their professional lives.”
Rich artistic legacy of Aboriginal flag creator honoured with CDU doctorate
Respected First Nations artist and activist Harold Thomas was presented with an honourary doctorate from Charles Darwin University, in recognition of his significant contribution to the fine arts and activism for Aboriginal rights.
Dr Thomas is most well-known for his design of the Aboriginal Flag, but his body of work expands across more than five decades of mastery in a variety of artistic mediums.
“The creation of Art is my life and will continue to be,” Mr Thomas said.
Painting watercolours and landscapes from the age of 14, Mr Thomas’ trajectory as an artist started when he won a scholarship to the South Australian School of Art for a study of Modern and Contemporary Fine Art, later becoming the first Aboriginal person to graduate from an Australian art school.
CDU Deputy Vice-Chancellor First Nations Leadership, Professor Reuben Bolt, said Mr Thomas’ dedication to fine arts was a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples.
CDU student a rising star in Culinary Arts
Charles Darwin University (CDU) Cookery student Lillie Fielding has taken home the silver medal at the National Apprentice Competition Finals held in Sydney.
Ms Fielding said while she felt the pressure, she had a smile on her face the whole time.
“It was a definitely a challenge for me, but I gave it my best shot and am very proud of achieving second place. I'm grateful for the support from my CDU lecturers who have guided me every step of the way.”
The competition is a culmination of events held throughout the year in each state and territory, testing the skills of apprentice chefs and culinary students.
Project to look at climate impacts on Northern Australia's turtle populations
A new project, between Charles Darwin University (CDU), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and indigenous ranger groups, will investigate how sea level rise and increasing sand temperature may affect Northern Australia’s turtle populations.
According to researchers, climate change poses a significant threat to turtle populations in northern Australia with rising sea levels resulting in more and more turtle nests being drowned and an increase in sand temperature affecting hatching success and the gender of hatchlings.
Dutch team get ready for Bridgestone World Solar Car Challenge at CDU
An international team of students from Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente in the Netherlands is making last minute adjustments to their solar car at Charles Darwin University ahead of the Bridgestone World Solar Car Challenge in a matter of days.
Based in the Dutch town of Enschede, Solar Team Twente have made a trades workshop at CDU their base for the last month to prepare their version of the most efficient solar car for the 3,021 kilometre challenge from Darwin to Adelaide – running on solar energy alone.
Solar Team Twente Technical Manager Tim Woertman said the team are intensely working on the last few changes to their solar car, in preparation for the start of the journey on Sunday, 22 October at State Square, Parliament House Darwin.
Homegrown paramedics get ready to save Territory lives
The next generation of Northern Territory paramedics will be taking their skills on the road next year, as the first cohort of Charles Darwin University (CDU) Bachelor of Paramedicine students complete their studies.
Ten Northern Territory students will complete their studies this year and graduate from the Bachelor of Paramedicine in May 2024.
Engineering students put skills into practice at CDU's city campus
Two Charles Darwin University (CDU) students are laying the foundations of their careers in engineering while also helping to build the University’s future.
CDU’s Education and Community Precinct will be the home of future students, and right now Master of Engineering students Kevin Gondaliya and Allen Glo are helping to build it.
Are you seeking workplaces that prioritise employee satisfaction and offer excellent growth opportunities? Delve into the list of organisations renowned for creating supportive and engaging environments for graduates.
FIND OUT MORE
Don't miss the opportunity to commence a rewarding professional journey. For additional career-related articles, visit the CAREERS PORTAL
Critically acclaimed journalist Stan Grant presents this year’s Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture
Critically acclaimed journalist, author, radio and television presenter, documentary film maker and Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man, Professor Stan Grant Jnr delivered the 22nd Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture at Charles Darwin University.
The Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture is held annually by CDU and commemorates the historic Wave Hill Station walk-off led by Gurindji leader Vincent Lingiari in 1966. Over 200 Aboriginal workers and their families protested appalling pay and living conditions on Vesty’s station.
Long journey ends with great success
The journey to pulling on a cap and gown was long and full of hurdles but worth every minute for Charles Darwin University (CDU) graduate Imogene Briston.
Larrakia woman Imogene is graduating from CDU with a Bachelor of Laws this week. She’s one of 95 First Nations people receiving a qualification this semester.
The mother of three enrolled in the Bachelor of Law later in life, inspired by her love of legal studies and debating from high school and the desire to pursue a new professional path.
CDU welcomes Australia's inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People
Charles Darwin University (CDU) welcomed Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People for his first visit to the University this week.
Ambassador Justin Mohamed visited CDU on Wednesday to meet with representatives to connect, share and exchange information around the University’s First Nations strategic direction.
MOU to strengthen research and innovation in Central Australia
Researchers at Charles Darwin University (CDU) will soon be on the frontline of protecting Northern Australia against potentially severe animal blood borne diseases with a new project looking into the biting midges, an insect of concern for its potential to carry disease that could damage the Australian livestock industry.
Researchers at CDU’s Research Institute for Northern Agriculture (RINA) will work with the Northern Territory’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade to study biting midges, or Culicoides, and their ability to carry potentially serious or severe disease that can affect Australian livestock.
CDU IT CodeFair 2023
CDU IT Code Fair is an annual event founded in 2014 by the College of Engineering, IT and Environment at Charles Darwin University and is sponsored by the Northern Territory government as well as local IT companies.
IT Code Fair advocates student’s talents showcasing their work more broadly to the University and industry communities. It composes of various competitions and real-time challenges for students to showcase their passion and skills to develop practical IT solutions.
The event also includes a series of workshops for primary school and secondary school students as well as conducting employer speed dating for current and future graduates with the local industry and government.
Starting in 2019, CDU IT Code Fair is part of the NT Digital Excellence Awards.
Friday 27 October 2023
9:00am - 4:00pm
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel - 116 Esplanade, Darwin
Giving
Area of Greatest Need
A gift to CDU’s Area of Greatest Need fund will assist the University to address critical priorities and respond confidently to new challenges and opportunities.
Gifts to "areas of greatest need" influence CDU life in many ways. They provide CDU with the flexibility to quickly address student projects and initiatives, the financial needs of students, unforeseen challenges, and new opportunities to strengthen the student experience.
CDU Art Gallery Relocating to New City Campus in 2024
The CDU Art Gallery, a valued platform for celebrating Northern Territory's diverse culture and its ties to the Asia-Pacific region, is embarking on a new chapter. In 2024, we will be making the transition to our new CDU City Campus location.
As a friend of CDU Art Gallery, you will receive exclusive invitations to exhibition previews, insights into new art acquisitions, and an enticing 10% discount at the new CDU Art Gallery store. Moreover, your membership is tax-deductible.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey, continuing to explore, question, and celebrate art and culture in our new city location. Stay tuned for updates regarding our grand relocation in 2024.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Yuba Panta
Class of 2019 - Master of Information Technology
Wanting to “do good things” with his life, Yuba started his volunteering journey in Nepal by distributing clothes and other essential items to those in need.
“Even doing small, nice things can make a big difference for people,” he says. “Helping people makes me happy, and I learn a lot from it.”
Yuba combined his passion for tech and the knowledge he gained from his CDU IT degree to make a difference to his new community in Darwin, particularly to the Nepalese Association of the Northern Territory (NANT).
“What we do is volunteering and it’s really important that we get more productivity using less effort.”
Yuba’s digital reform project made a significant impact on NANT operations.
He automated a variety of tasks including bulk emails and online event ticketing, developed a comprehensive not-for-profit management
system together with his team, and utilised social and digital media to expand the group’s reach.
Share your story
Have you got a great story to tell? We know that CDU Alumni go on to achieve incredible things. We'd love to hear about your achievements.
Provide a work placement
Could current students contribute to your workplace success? Consider the staffing needs of your workplace and industry.
Be a mentor
Develop the next generation of talents by sharing your skills and knowledge through mentoring students.
Be a speaker
Becoming a speaker is an opportunity for you to impart your knowledge and share your life experiences with the next generation of aspiring CDU students.
Are you a CDU graduate living outside of Australia?
CDU alumni are a vibrant community of more than 80,000 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
You can obtain advice on all matters relating to building your career or even making a change to your current. Here you can access over 15,000 courses, delivered in 7 languages. You can learn a wide range of new skills, anywhere and at any time. You can learn a new language, learn how to build a website or app, become an expert user of Microsoft Office, or even learn how to play a musical instrument!
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 currently seeking a job, aiming for a promotion, or considering a career change? Did you know that you still have access to CDU Careers Centre resources? Absolutely FREE!
The Careers Centre is designed to help you navigate the next step of your professional journey. To get started, access your alumni account and head to the CDU portal, and click on the Career Centre tile.
Stay updated and explore exciting opportunities! The CDU Careers team regularly share job postings and other opportunities on their CDU Careers Centre Facebook and LinkedIn pages - be sure to 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.
