Study helps Paddy broaden horizons

A former engineer who migrated to Australia a decade ago has graduated from CDU with a degree that has allowed him to pursue an altruistic calling.

Originally from India, Paddy Mohan had been working in Perth as an electrical engineer and volunteering in the community when he realised his life needed to change.

“For six months I had dealt with a burning question about what I wanted to do next and how I could contribute something to society,” he said.

“I had finally realised that engineering was not my cup of tea.”

Mr Mohan said the issue of Indigenous reconciliation weighed heavily on his mind.

“I decided that the best way for me to play an active part in this was to learn about Indigenous society.”

This led him to the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education where he enrolled in the Bachelor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advocacy program, with a focus on Indigenous land and sea management.

Mr Mohan progressed through the course either as an online or an internal student, depending on his circumstances.

“I was in Darwin for some of the course, but moved to Alice Springs to take up an administrative support role with the joint management program at Parks and Wildlife Commission.”

The job allowed him to travel to Karlu Karlu, Watarrka and many of Central Australia’s finest national parks where he observed both the Western and traditional Indigenous methods of land management.

“We met with Traditional Owners on-country, listened to traditional stories and camped under the stars,” he said.

Mr Mohan made the journey to Darwin for the recent graduation ceremony, and to take up a new position in the public sector.