Boxing program inspires next CDU Study NT Ambassador

A work placement has inspired Mengdie Zhao to become one of the 14 Charles Darwin University students to become Study NT Ambassadors for 2026. 

 During her Master of Social Work placement, Mengdie was encouraged by her Task Supervisor, Ellen Thomas, to volunteer with Resilience Boxing.  The activity was a local community initiative that addresses core issues of violence against women and girls in the Northern Territory.  

Mengdie’s time in the boxing program deepened her understanding of trauma informed practice and encouraged her to become a leader for international students.  

“Ellen taught me the importance of community awareness and the strength of teamwork,” Ms Zhao said. 

“Through her work, I learned that meaningful change happens when people come together and participate actively in community life.” 

“This has encouraged me to be more engaged, visible, and proactive as a student ambassador,” 

The Study NT program aims to provide ambassadors with specialised training in public speaking, media engagement and personal branding, equipping students with the skillset to engage with domestic and international audiences.  

The ambassadors champion the Northern Territory as a premier study destination for international students. 

The student ambassadors attribute their advocacy for Study NT to the meaningful opportunities CDU provides to become leaders and changemakers in the university and wider NT community. 

Study NT Ambassador and CDU Software Engineering student, Kinley Wangmo, is also President of the Women’s Collective for Innovation and Change (WCIC) 

“In larger cities, it can take years to access leadership roles or meaningful responsibilities, but here I’ve been trusted with real opportunities early in my journey,” Kinley Wangmo said. 

Throughout the program, ambassadors will attend public events and work in collaboration with Northen Territory businesses to support Study NT in International delegations.