CDU helps to break down barriers

Charles Darwin University has welcomed new students to its Waterfront campus including scholarship recipient Ioannis Kazouris, who is proving that serious illness is no barrier to achieving his goals.

The Bachelor of Accounting student was recently awarded a scholarship from the Territory Health Fund and North Australia Ronald McDonald Learning Program, which provides education support for children battling serious illness.  

The $5000 scholarship is awarded to a young Territory local to help support their university study or vocational training.

Ioannis (Yanni) Kazouris was born with Pierre Robin Sequence with Cleft Palate and Bilateral Dysplastic Hips, which are congenital disorders that have required both a jaw and hip reconstruction.

Despite missing a lot of school over the years due to his health complications, Yanni has remained dedicated to his education. In his final year of high school, he decided to postpone hip surgery and live with the constant pain of a dislocated right hip so that he could finish Year 12, achieve good grades and enrol in a Bachelor of Accounting course at CDU.

“I have always been interested in business and economics, and when undertaking a VET for Secondary Students program with CDU in Year 11 to complete a Certificate II in Business, I had the opportunity to do a week’s work experience with an accounting firm,” Yanni said.

“After that I definitely knew I wanted to study accounting.”

A Darwin local, Yanni said one of the reasons he chose to study with CDU was because of its inclusive and equitable services.

“It not only means I can stay near my family, but I already have had a great experience with the staff at CDU, and along with the support to study online, I am looking forward to starting my studies.”

CDU Equity Services Manager Gabrielle Mullen said staff worked with Yanni in the lead up to his studies to create an individual access plan.

“Access and Inclusion coordinates services and support to assist students with a disability, a health condition or medical condition that impacts their ability to access education,” Ms Mullen said.

“Working with each student we make reasonable adjustments on study requirements and provide assistance to allow equal access and participation in university life. We also provide access to assistive technology, and work with students on improving access to university facilities,” she said.