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CDU Alumni E-News
May 2023 Issue
Welcome to our newest Alumni
The first round of 2023 graduation ceremonies took place in the Territory in May, with over 2,000 Charles Darwin University students completing their studies.
The cohort includes 1,088 students in Higher Education, 1,078 in Vocational Education and Training, and 11 PhD graduates.
The ceremonies celebrated graduates from a diverse range of disciplines including as business and law, nursing and midwifery, health and human sciences, Indigenous futures, education, the arts, and engineering, IT, and the environment.
A graduation ceremony will also be held in Alice Springs on Thursday 15 May.
New bird's eye view as CDU city campus climbs high
New drone footage has revealed a sweeping bird’s eye view as construction of Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) CBD campus, the Education and Community Precinct, climbs higher in the Darwin skyline.
The aerial photo was taken by builder Halikos as they surveyed the site and offers a sky-high perspective, as works progress.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the city campus was already making a mark in the Darwin CBD, and once complete it will offer many educational, economic and community-centred benefits to Darwin and the Northern Territory.
“The precinct is hard to miss when you’re driving down Cavenagh street in the Darwin CBD, and soon it will be a drawcard not only for Territorians, but for people coming from interstate and overseas for a unique education,” Professor Bowman said.
First Nations students celebrated in Valedictory Ceremonies
The drive to help their fellow humans is at the forefront of the minds of two Charles Darwin University (CDU) First Nations students who graduated recently.
Jaiden McGregor and Allanna Dengate are among 221 proud First Nations students who graduated in the First Nations Leadership Valedictory Ceremony on Wednesday 17 May.
Darwin born and bred, Mr McGregor never thought he would attend university. A disinterest in school and enduring a curriculum he struggled to grasp discouraged Mr McGregor from learning.
It wasn’t until a year after high school when his now fervent desire for learning sparked and he enrolled into the Bachelor of Arts majoring in both Global Humanities and Society and Culture.
CDU congratulates winners of the NT's Young Achiever Awards
A Charles Darwin University (CDU) alumnus with a passion for advocating for quality education for First Nations people has been named as this years’ Northern Territory Young Achiever of the year.
Leela Kruger, 29, of Alice Springs was part of a strong field of achievers who were nominated for the award, also winning the NT Government Young Aboriginal Educator Award.
Ms Kruger was amongst 13 category winners who celebrated their successes at an award ceremony held in Darwin on Friday April 14.
CDU student Yuqing (Crystal) Zhao received the Charles Darwin University sponsored International Student Award, being recognised for her dedication to going above and beyond for her community.
CDU program opens pathways for Territory women to enter politics
Women who aspire to shape the Northern Territory’s political sphere are being encouraged to apply for Charles Darwin University’s Pathways to Politics Program for women, a free leadership program that aims to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.
The Pathways to Politics Program for Women is a national, proudly non-partisan initiative that aims to change the face of politics by equipping women with the skills, knowledge, confidence and networks they need to run for elected office and thrive as political leaders.
The program, run by CDU’s Northern Institute through the generous support of the Trawalla Foundation, is in its second year. Last year’s inaugural program saw 11 Northern Territory women, including three First Nations women, graduate from the program.
Charles Darwin University supports YES vote for First Nations Voice to Parliament
Charles Darwin University (CDU) will endorse the YES vote in the national referendum into whether Australia should have a First Nations Voice to Parliament.
The decision to endorse the YES campaign was made recently by the University Council and makes a strong statement as to how CDU values First Nations peoples.
CDU Deputy Vice-Chancellor First Nations Leadership and Engagement, Professor Reuben Bolt, welcomed the decision and said it was a great move by Council.
“It is imperative that the university ‘of’ and ‘for’ the Northern Territory, publicly endorses and supports First Nations advancement in Australia,” Professor Bolt said.
CDU StudyStays to help students and homeowners
Territorians with a spare room in their homes have the chance to earn extra money with up to 600 Charles Darwin University international students expected to flood into Darwin in the next few weeks with nowhere to stay.
In preparation for the students’ arrival, CDU is boosting the use of CDU StudyStays – an online platform providing listings of accommodation vacancies around CDU’s Casuarina, Waterfront and Palmerston campuses.
“When the students arrive to start the semester demand for housing will be strong, at a time when availability is low,” CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said.
“These students are making one of the hardest, bravest, and most critical decisions of their lives – moving to a foreign country to pursue their education. One of the difficult decisions these students will have to make is where to live.”
Private and commercial property owners, students and real estate agents can register their properties to be listed on CDU StudyStays.
New drone capabilities shine at Katherine open day
The sky’s the limit at the Crossroads of the North where Charles Darwin University (CDU) will demonstrate its burgeoning capabilities in drone education, training and research at the CDU Katherine Rural Campus Open Day tomorrow.
Building this capacity for drone technology in the Katherine region is the Northern Territory’s first research, training and test flight centre for drones – the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS) – established at CDU.
NACAS is developing a new airspace corridor for drones that stretches from Katherine to 30 kilometres north of the town, above 250 square kilometres of tropical savannah and semi-arid country.
The drone corridor is being created specifically for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones – a category of the technology that operates outside the direct visual range of the pilot.
CDU one of top 200 universities in the world for impact
Charles Darwin University has ranked in the top 200 universities in the world as part of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
The Impact Ranking measures global social and economic impact based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
All universities were also ranked to each of the 17 United Nations goals.
CDU was 36th in the world for the Decent Work and Economic Growth goal which looks at promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said he was delighted with the University’s rankings.
New course tackling critical health professional shortages
A new Charles Darwin University course launched this year is helping to address critical health workforce shortages in rural and remote areas of Australia.
CDU’s Master of Pharmacy has attracted an intake of 15 students from across Australia with several from rural and remote locations.
CDU Associate Professor – Pharmacy Heather Volk said the demographic was a testament to the University’s flexible approach to the course, offering it face-to-face and fully online.
“There is a national workforce crisis with pharmacists, particularly in those rural and remote areas,” Associate Professor Volk said.
Award-winning paramedic shines at CDU Open Day
Working at the busy intersection of education, primary healthcare, emergency medical services and public health, Amy McCaffrey, is an inspirational figure.
The Charles Darwin University (CDU) Paramedicine Lecturer from Alice Springs stands out in the remote emergency healthcare landscape that spans the red desert heart of Central Australia.
Testifying to this Mrs McCaffrey was honoured with a prestigious 2023 Council of Ambulance Authorities Women in Ambulance Award in March.
The award recognises Mrs McCaffrey’s achievement in work, leadership and willingness to guide and mentor others while working as a paramedic for St John Ambulance (NT), within a 150km-radius of Alice Springs.
“I’m particularly passionate about education and mentoring,” Mrs McCaffrey said.
“It’s a privilege to be able to share my knowledge of the industry and support students facing the same challenges that I experienced as a graduate intern in my first year of paramedic work.
CDU researchers highlight emerging climate change risk to seafood industry
Leading Charles Darwin University (CDU) environmental microbiology researchers have presented research focused on understanding tropical rock oysters and Vibrios and the implications for food safety and human health at an international Aquaculture conference held this week in Darwin.
The research was presented by Dr Anna Padovan and Professor Karen Gibb from CDU’s Research Institute Environment & Livelihoods at the International Tropical Rock Oyster Workshop which is part of the World Aquaculture Conference 2023.
Vibrio bacteria occur naturally in many aquatic habitats especially coastal areas and estuaries and are associated with waters that are warmer than 15 degrees Celsius, which is the case in the tropics.
Dr Padovan said this collaborative research funded by the Fisheries Research Development Corporation, was of high priority given the increasing interest in developing a tropical rock oyster industry in Northern Australia.
Annual Giving Appeal
Invest before birth
Almost 1 in 5 women will experience a mental health condition during pregnancy or in the year after a birth.
Among women with perinatal mental health conditions, 20% will experience suicidal thoughts or undertake acts of self-harm. Ignoring mental health not only risks women’s overall health and wellbeing, but also impacts infants’ physical and emotional development.
The importance of screening, diagnosis and management of perinatal mental health conditions has been highlighted by the World Health Organisation in 2022.
Research also shows that the experiences and relationships we have in the earliest years of our lives, including before birth, impact on our brain’s development. Stress and adversity experienced during pregnancy can have a negative impact on babies’ physical and mental health in the womb and as they grow up. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
Charles Darwin University's project Antenatal detection of vulnerable mother-infant relationships is focusing on improving perinatal mental health diagnosis and management support services in the Northern Territory, beginning in early pregnancy to optimise outcomes for parents, their babies, and families.
Your donation will enable this important research to positively and invaluably change the life of Territory mothers and their babies. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to this important appeal.
CDU submission to Universities Accord panel calls for future-focused opportunities in the NT
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has made a submission to the Australian Universities Accord panel proposing new ideas to improve higher education in Northern Australia.
The Universities Accord is a collaboration between the Australian Government and the higher education sector to strengthen the connection between universities and their communities, enhance research and innovation, and improve student outcomes.
CDU's submission to the Accord aligns with these goals and aims to ensure that the NT and its unique challenges are given due consideration in national higher education policies and funding decisions.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the submission was a welcome opportunity to showcase the University’s unique position as a connected and innovative education provider in the NT.
“CDU is in an unparalleled position to embrace the vitality and resilience of the NT and contribute to the future prosperity of Northern Australia,” Professor Bowman said.
"Our submission to the Universities Accord reflects CDU's commitment to providing world-class education and research that responds to the needs of the NT and its communities, and to working collaboratively with governments and industry to achieve shared goals.”
CDU Art Gallery presents:
Where Lakes Once Had Water
20 March 2023 - 15 July 2023
Where Lakes Once Had Water is a 2-channel 4K UHD video (28:24 minutes), filmed on the lands and waters of the Mudburra, Marlinja, Jingili, Elliot, Jawoyn and Larrakia communities in Northern Territory, Australia, with additional filming and editing on Barkandji, Dharawal, Djabugay, Yidinji and Wurundjeri Country. University of Wollongong Art Collection. CABAH Art Series Commission in association with Bundanon.
Where Lakes Once Had Water contemplates how the earth is experienced and understood through different ontologies – ways of being, seeing, sensing, listening and thinking – that reverberate across art, Indigenous thought, science,
ancient and modern cultures, the non-human, and in between.
- Sonia Leber and David Chesworth
In 2018 and 2019, Australian artists Sonia Leber and David Chesworth travelled with a team of Earth and environmental scientists who are investigating changes in the climate, landscape and ecology over 130,000 years. There journey took them to Australia's Northern Territory, from locations of long-term aridity across the ephemeral Lake Woods, to Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge and tropical Girraween Lagoon.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Dr Shellie Morris
Class of 1999 - Certificate III in Contemporary Music
Winner - 2022 Indigenous Alumni Award and 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr Shellie Morris has made a life-time commitment to developing First Nations music and, through her musical involvement, has contributed to community development at a regional and national level.
Since graduating from Northern Territory University (now CDU) with a Certificate 3 in Contemporary Music, she has developed an extensive personal musical career and worked in seventy remote communities, writing songs in twenty Aboriginal languages with people on communities.
Her community workhas focussed on empowering First Nations people to tell their stories through song. Some highlights have been the 'Ngambala Wiji Li -wunungu Together we are strong' project and the development of music and narrative with prisoners at the Berrimah Gaol, culminating in a film and a theatrical play performed at the Darwin Festival. ‘Prison Songs’ was nominated for the Walkley award and won a Human Rights award.
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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
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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 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.
