Graduation ceremonies commend CDU students’ success

Around 400 graduates will celebrate their educational achievements at the Charles Darwin University (CDU) graduation ceremonies this Friday, 17 September.

This is the second time that CDU has been able to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at the Darwin Convention Centre since the start of COVID-19.

The graduates are completing a range of degrees, with 126 in Higher Education, 268 in Vocational Education and Training and 15 doctoral and research higher degree graduates

They will be marking the success of their academic journey in disciplines including business and law, nursing and midwifery, health and human sciences, Indigenous futures, education and the arts, and engineering, IT and the environment across three ceremonies.

Among the graduating cohort are also 173 international graduates and 60 First Nations graduates.

Graduates will hear from distinguished guest speakers including NT Supreme Court Judge the Hon Justice Stephen Roger Southwood QC, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Quarantine at Centre for National Resilience Lisa Vermeulen, and Emily Moyes, ecologist and Park Manager at Crocodylus Park.

The Administrator of the Northern Territory, the Hon Vicki O’Halloran AO, and local member Mark Monaghan MLA will be attending the ceremonies as VIP guests.

An Indigenous Valedictory Ceremony on Thursday, 16 September will acknowledge all 60 First Nations graduates, who will be presented with a memento of an Indigenous pin or stole to wear at the graduation ceremonies.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman AO said the University was thrilled to be able to play such an important role in the education of graduates and their future careers.

“Graduation ceremonies are about celebrating our students’ hard work and success. It is delightful to see CDU graduates achieve this significant milestone of their lives,” Professor Bowman said.

“I’m confident that all of CDU’s graduates make a positive impact on their communities. As CDU alumni, they are important to the University’s identity and growth in the future.”

CDU’s Chancellor, the Hon Paul Henderson AO, will confer the awards and present testamurs to graduates. University Provost Professor Mike Wilson will be the master of ceremonies.

Families and friends who cannot attend the ceremonies in-person can watch the live streaming here.