Charles Darwin University

CDU will be closed from Friday 19 December, with classes resuming on Monday 5 January. Our academic and professional staff are taking a well-earned break, so please plan ahead if you need support during this time. If you’ve applied to study with us, rest assured we’ll continue processing 2026 applications and will be here to support you when we return. We understand this time of year can be challenging. If you need support, the CDU Wellbeing Support Line is available 24/7 throughout the holidays: 📞 Call 1800 933 393 📱 SMS 0488 884 144 Take this time to relax, recharge, and celebrate your successes. We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings for all of us at CDU. Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season!

It's official! 🤩 CDU has launched the First Nations Training and Teacher Education Hub, a collaborative initiative designed to grow the next generation of First Nations teachers, educators, and leaders across the Northern Territory. According to the Australian Council of Education Research, just 4.6 per cent of NT teachers identify as First Nations compared to 39 per cent of school students. Nationally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent 1.3 per cent of teachers and 6 per cent of students. CDU Senior Lecturer in Education and Hub Director Larissa Pickalla said the launch marked a new chapter in how the NT would grow and sustain its teaching workforce. Read more 👉 bit.ly/48fH9KV

🙌 Exciting news! 🎉 CDU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Scott Bowman will continue as the institution’s leader for the next five years. Professor Bowman says he looks forward to continuing the University’s legacy and seeing the institution’s plans come to fruition. Read more: bit.ly/4iklTqq

Ever wondered how virtual fences work on cattle stations? 🐄 🤠 Virtual fences remotely map and control livestock such as cows by fitting the animal with a GPS collar that delivers audio cues and electric pulses to the animal if they approach a pre-set boundary. CDU Associate Professor Beth Penrose said the technology would be invaluable to northern beef producers who oversee millions of hectares of land in environments prone to fire and flooding. Read more: bit.ly/4r3uLVH

Our IT Code Fair has expanded to CDU's Sydney campus for the first time! 🖥️ 💾 This annual event showcases CDU’s Faulty of Science and Technology’s students work through a series of competitions and real-time challenges, as well as the opportunity to connect with the industry and future employers during employer speed dating. Read more 👉 bit.ly/4oOpZZZ

Have you heard CDU has officially launched its education export to the UK? 📚 From today, UK residents can apply to study a uniquely flexible Master of Business Administration for executives or educators, or level up their IT skills with a Master of Cyber Security. Who else is excited to see the Australian education experience spread across the world? 🙋 Read more: bit.ly/47hCuX6

It's graduation week! 🎓 🎉 Many of our graduates are setting out on new paths, including Master of Professional Accounting graduate Joan Liwanag-Tran. She recently started her own accounting firm with the skills she learned in class. Mrs Liwanag-Tran is one of 1401 graduates receiving their awards from September 16-17, including 100 First Nations students, 563 TAFE students, and 21 PhD recipients. Read more: bit.ly/4mrAalW

From digital technology to social justice and Indigenous languages and cultures - a Bachelor of Arts degree from Charles Darwin University is a Swiss army knife of career options, tailoring your skills to the job you want. What mix of specialist units would you choose? 🤔 Let us know in the comments! bit.ly/41BCTkR #YouMakeCDU #CharlesDarwinUniversity #CDU #BachelorOfArts #ArtsDegree #FutureReady

🎓 Calling all NT First Nations high school students! 🎓 Ever wondered what university life is like? Here’s your chance to find out! Charles Darwin University's week-long Bidjipidji School Program is back from 27-31 October, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (Years 9-12) from across the NT a unique taste of uni life in Darwin. bit.ly/3Uh1Z4K This is more than just a visit – it's an experience! You'll get to: 🥽 Dive into academic sessions to explore your interests. ☀️ Connect with culture through special activities. 🏀 Build resilience and wellbeing with the amazing teams from Hoops 4 Health and EPIC Pathways. 🌴 Explore Darwin with fun excursions. Best of all? It’s FREE! All travel, accommodation, meals and activities are covered. Expressions of Interest for 2025 are now open! This is an incredible opportunity to explore your future at CDU and see what’s possible. 🔗 Applications close by 17 August. For more information on the 2025 Bidjipidji program email: bidjipidji@cdu.edu.au or call 8946 6479. #CDU #FutureLeaders #StudyNT #UniLife #Hoops4Health #epicpathways

Announcing the Vincent Lingiari Memorial Gathering - campfire yarning with Charlie King Join celebrated Gurindji man Charlie King for an evening of truth-telling, storytelling and song. Featuring special performances by ARIA Award-winning artist Sara Storer and Charlie’s niece, Sky Nelson. Places are limited, and registration is essential. Register here for free entry: bit.ly/4o5GK3h

What’s it really like to be the only woman on a job site? Join CDU alumna Sarah Brunton as she shares her journey from remote electrical work camps to national industry leadership. With over 20 years of experience, Sarah brings raw honesty, hard-won insight, and a powerful message about resilience, representation, and allyship in the trades. 📅 Thursday 17 July | 1:30 PM ACST (Darwin) 🕐 30-minute session & live Q&A 👉 Register now: charlesdarwinuni.zoom.us/meeting/regist… #YouMakeCDU #CDUAlumniCommunity #CDU #Webinar #WomenInTrades

Bold ideas. Local voices. Global change. Join us this August for TEDxCharles Darwin University: Building Community Resilience – an evening of thought-provoking talks and big ideas from some of the Territory’s brightest minds. From kindness in prisons to exploring the magic of venom in medicine - discover powerful ideas that are shaping a better future. 🗓 Saturday, 9 August 2025 🕠 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM 📍 Education and Community Precinct, Darwin CBD Featuring: Adelle Sefton-Rowston, Alan Andersen, Brandon Sideleau, Dylan Irvine, Josh Francis, Hamish Campbell, Kim Caudwell, Polianna Albuquerque, Sharna Motlap, and Steven Camilleri (SPEE3D). 10 powerful speakers. One big idea: Building Community Resilience. Limited seats available. Book your tickets today and be part of the conversation. TEDxCDU.eventbrite.com.au

Join CDU alumnus Robert Penaloza, class of 1995 and CEO of Aberdeen Investments Thailand, for the first session in our new alumni insights webinar series, Not in the textbook. In this 30-minute webinar, learn how to navigate the shift from university to the corporate world with practical insights from someone who’s been there. Drawing on over 30 years of global leadership experience, Robert will share real-world advice on adapting to professional environments, building on your academic foundation, and developing essential workplace skills. The webinar will be held on Thursday 10 July, 2025, at 12.30pm ACST, online via Zoom. Register now: lnkd.in/eacbQQQv #CDUAlumniCommunity

Charles Darwin University wants expressions of interest (EOIs) to join the Advisory Committee for the First Nations Teacher Education Hub Pilot. Help guide a culturally strong, community-led approach to teacher education that reflects First Nations knowledge systems, regional priorities, and shared decision-making. 👉 Apply now: tr.ee/miumJe EOI submissions close on 30 July 2025. #FirstNationsEducation #CDU #TeacherEducation #CommunityLeadership #CulturalIntegrity

Unlock the power of your brain. Join award-winning TV personality, adventurer and Redesign My Brain host Todd Sampson for Brain Power – a fascinating lecture hosted by Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Health. From scaling Everest to co-creating Earth Hour, Todd’s story is anything but ordinary. Discover how he trained his brain to thrive in a high-pressure world – and how you can too. 📅 Thursday 10 July ⏰ 5.30–7.30pm 📍 Education and Community Precinct, 54 Cavenagh Street, Darwin CBD Limited seats available. Find out more at cdu.edu.au/events This event is supported by funding from the Northern Territory Public Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program. #CDU #FacultyofHeath #PublicLecture #ToddSampson #BrainPower #YouMakeCDU

Join us at the Rotary Art Show—a three-day celebration of creativity, featuring over 100 unique works on display and for sale, culminating in an international auction of 26 specially selected pieces. 🖼️ 2–4 July 📍 Education and Community Precinct, Darwin CBD Proceeds beyond event costs will be donated to CDU to support Art scholarships, helping nurture the next generation of creative talent. Don’t miss this vibrant event. To learn more, visit go.cdu.edu.au/f2dq Join the live online auction here: go.cdu.edu.au/f2da #RotaryArtShow #CDUArts #SupportTheArts #YouMakeCDU #CommunityCreativity

Stakeholder EOI's are now open! The success of the First Nations Teacher Education Hub Pilot depends on strong, ongoing collaboration with communities, students, education providers, and government. We’re inviting passionate stakeholders to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to help shape and strengthen this culturally responsive education initiative. Be a voice in building the future of First Nations teacher education in the NT. 👉 Submit your EOI here: tr.ee/miumJe EOI submissions close on 30 July 2025. #ClosingTheGap #FirstNationsVoices #EducationLeadership #YouMakeCDU #CDU #TeacherEducation #CommunityLed# YourVoiceMatters

Did you know Australia is on the cusp of a 'sexual revolution'? The number of Aussies identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual has boomed in recent years, a new study found. Lead author Fiona Shalley found the LGB+ population of Australia doubled between 2012 and 2020, increasing from 3.3 per cent of adults over the age of 15 to 5.8 per cent. Read more: cdu.edu.au/news/lgb-popul…

A big congratulations to all the winners and finalists at Friday’s 2025 GTNT Group Awards gala. It’s a truly amazing event celebrating the success of the NT’s apprentices, trainees, supervisors and host businesses. A special congratulations to CDU TAFE’s award winners: ⭐ Tahnee Henderson (BSB30120 Certificate III in Business) Trainee of the Year ⭐ Aaron Cochrane (AUR30320 Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology) School-Based Apprentice/Trainee ⭐ Ethan Bush (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) Prelude to the Future – Outstanding Shell Apprentice ⭐ George Beattie (AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology) Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 1 ⭐ Georgina Siebert (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) NAWIC NT Award CDU TAFE special category award winner: ⭐ Keigan Blake (AUR31220 Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology) Calvert Commendation Award CDU TAFE runners-up: ⭐ Harrish Mahendran (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) Prelude to the Future – Outstanding Shell Apprentice ⭐ Ollie King (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 2 ⭐ Anna Wensing (AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology) Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 1 ⭐ Kirra O'Connor-Mitchell (MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade) NAWIC NT Award ⭐ Jase Ramsamy (BSB30120 Certificate III in Business) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student CDU TAFE finalists: ⭐ Georgie James (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) Apprentice of the Year ⭐ Vencel Gaal (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) Prelude to the Future – Outstanding Shell Apprentice ⭐ Jai Randhay, (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 2 ⭐ Sandon Bott (AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology) Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 2 ⭐ Deegan Adams (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 1 ⭐ Christopher Thomas (MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade) Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 1 ⭐ Laura Bond and Melinda Martin (UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) NAWIC NT Award 📸 Images: North Australia Media #YouMakeCDU #mycdu

When someone mentions termites, what do you think of? Termites often ring alarm bells when it comes to a building’s integrity, but CDU's new Professor of Architecture says they might hold the blueprint to designing the coolest homes in the Territory. Read more: bit.ly/3SHrmvs