Sydney celebrates milestone

Charles Darwin University has achieved an important milestone with its first student valedictory ceremony in Sydney.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said the landmark occasion had confirmed the reality today of a vision just a few years ago to establish CDU in the harbour city.

“It was three and a half years ago that CDU Sydney held its first classes here in Haymarket,” Professor Maddocks said.

“We had the vision of expanding access to quality higher education in business and accounting for students with the aspiration to study while experiencing life in this fantastic international city.”

Professor Maddocks said that services, staff and space had been added progressively since that time, including the new library and graduate lounge.

“But the real story of CDU Sydney is not the one about facilities or services, but the story of the people who came here to learn.

“The birth of a new university campus is something wonderful and you have been its pioneers,” he told the valedictorians. 

Professor Maddocks presented CDU Pins to each student at the event.

About 40 students have completed courses this year in either the Bachelor of Accounting, Master of Accounting, MBA or Bachelor of Commerce.

“Some of you will soon return to your home countries, or to other national or international destinations, so it is important to us to have this moment to acknowledge you.”

Professor Maddocks said CDU would expand the range of disciplines in Sydney from Semester 1 next year with the addition of a new nursing and midwifery clinical practice suite.