CDU Casuarina Open Day to shine a light on new opportunities

Charles Darwin University (CDU) will host its 2024 Open Day at its Casuarina Campus this Saturday to give Territorians a peak at what the University has to offer.

Thousands of people from the Darwin community are expected to attend with plenty of things to see and do that will help inspire future students.

CDU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Scott Bowman said he was always excited to be part of the Casuarina Open Day to see and experience everything in the one place.  

“Someone might want to work with tools, or numbers, or they might want a more creative career in the arts. Open Day gives people ideas of how to find pathways to follow their passions,” Professor Bowman said. 

"It’s not just a chance for attendees to learn, as we also learn what future students want from their university and it also provides an opportunity for us to showcase what’s new at the University.”

The day will showcase several of CDU’s new offerings including the Bachelor of Creative Arts with attendees having the opportunity to enter a photo forage competition responding to creative prompts and to explore lighting and sound technical production techniques used in the creative arts industries.

The course will offer students a transformative learning experience in making, performing and presenting creative work and can choose from three majors: music, screen media arts or visual arts. 

CDU’s Academy of the Arts Director Dr Amanda Morris said the Bachelor of Creative Arts gives focus to the career opportunities in the creative arts sector. 

“No matter what students decide to major in, they will develop discipline-specific skills to enhance their creative practice as artists, musicians, storytellers, film makers, managers and producers,” Dr Morris said.

“We anticipate that this course will attract students to stay in the NT to study creative arts at CDU as well as attract students from interstate.”

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of contemporary arts in Australia, with a particular focus on northern Australia, including unique opportunities to undertake field trips in the Northern Territory which will connect them with on-country arts learning.” 

“Northern Australia’s spectacular landscapes and diverse cultures will help them to develop their own creative practice. Studying at CDU is really unlike studying anywhere else,” she said.  

Another highlight of Open Day will be the launch of the University’s inaugural researcher photography competition and exhibition, Photo Synthesis: CDU’s Research through the Lens. 

The exhibition at the Mal Nairn Auditorium foyer will feature 20 photographs taken by 20 researchers from across CDU. 

Open Day attendees are invited to cast their votes on their favourite photographs with the top three photographs receiving money towards their research. 

Other highlights include campus and library tours, a projection augmented landscape model and a cutting-edge research equipped drone demonstration. 

Attendees will be able to explore CDU’s paramedicine training unit, experience an emergency department scenario, learn more about CDU’s new medical school, meet our snake specialist and his scaly friends and see hair and beauty displays. 

Automotive and machinery demonstrations and building and construction models will showcase CDU’s broad range of courses in mechanics, panel repairs, license training, logistics, metal trades, advanced manufacturing, plumbing and electrical trades. 

There will also be live performances by students, alumni and staff and food and beverage stalls. 

The CDU Open Day at the Casuarina campus is on August 17, from 9am to 1pm.