October 2025

CDU Alumni E-News

Keeping you connected with CDU and the wider community

Dear ,

The year has flown by, and we've just welcomed a new cohort of graduates to our CDU alumni community!

Semester two graduations took place over two days and five ceremonies, celebrating more than 1,400 graduates, with over 650 crossing the stage in person. These ceremonies also marked the first graduations presided over by The Honourable Trevor Riley AO KC, our 5th Chancellor, who shared his support and enthusiasm for our newest alumni.

Looking ahead, we can’t wait to celebrate the outstanding achievements of CDU alumni at the annual Alumni Awards Gala on Friday 24 October. It will be a night of connection, recognition, and celebration, and we’d love for you to join us. Book your tickets today!

Did you catch our recent webinar series Not in the Textbook? Across four sessions, CDU alumni shared real-world advice, the things you don’t always learn at university. If you missed them, you can explore the full series here.

Until next time,

Your CDU Alumni Team

Alice Springs resident is vying for a spot on international team

A beauty student, who learnt her trade in the red centre, is one step away from taking on the worlds’ best in a competition in China after being named as a member of the Skillaroos.

CDU unveils first look at new $30.8 million health teaching and training facility

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has previewed its new health teaching and training facility, the $30.8 million Centre for Better Health Futures.

Celebrated NT music educator and conductor awarded CDU honorary doctorate

One of the Northern Territory’s most respected leaders in music education and community music-making, Mrs Nora Lewis AM, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Charles Darwin University.

New test flight facility lets drone operators test tech in extreme conditions

A new drone test flight facility in the Northern Territory will give manufacturers the chance to test their technology in some of the most diverse terrain and extreme weather conditions in the world.

Gaming to socialise or escape? Research scopes out problematic gaming habits

People who have autistic-like traits, but who fall short of a clinical diagnosis, are at risk of problematic gaming according to a new Charles Darwin University (CDU) study exploring what factors can lead to gaming disorders.

Experts warn clean energy transition must not come at cost of Indigenous rights

First Nations’ rights over Sea Country are being overlooked as Australia races into offshore gas and wind development, according to new research, with experts warning Traditional Owners remain excluded from decisions that threaten vital cultural, spiritual and economic connections.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

"My calling": Priscilla became a social worker against the odds

Daniel stands in graduation gown and cap

Social work graduate Priscilla did not take the traditional path to university. Instead, she had to overcome tragedy and her own self-doubts to don the graduation cap and gown.

After the deaths of her mother and father, Priscilla had to find a job to pay the rent.

“I had to work and care for myself and my younger sister at the age of 16,” she says. “Attending high school was not an option for me.”

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