Thousands of university students graduate in Darwin

More than 1,000 Charles Darwin University (CDU) students will graduate and celebrate their academic achievements at graduation ceremonies held in Darwin today.

Graduates from a range of disciplines including nursing and midwifery, business and law, health and human sciences, engineering, IT, and the environment and the Indigenous futures, education and the arts will celebrate their academic journey across two ceremonies.

Those graduating have completed a range of degrees with 689 in higher education, 463 in Vocational Education and Training and 18 PHD graduates. Among the graduating cohort are 119 First Nations students who will celebrate their achievements.

Bachelor of Education, Early Childhood Teaching student Erin McDowell (24) will be among the many students graduating and is looking forward to entering the Northern Territory workforce as a teacher, a job she has dreamed of for years.

“Ever since I was young, I have wanted to be a teacher, it is something I am incredibly passionate about and can’t wait to teach at a school here in the Northern Territory,” Ms McDowell said.

“I am a born and bred Territorian and love living in the NT, so I am excited to be able to play a small role in educating the next generation of Territorians.”

For Ms McDowell attending her graduation ceremony will be a wonderful way for her to celebrate her academic journey and all the hard work that has gone into it. 

“When you are doing your degree, it feels like you are never going to finish, but it is so worthwhile in the end. I am excited to take this next step and graduate and look forward to what lies ahead,” she said.

CDU students Digita Shrestha who is graduating with a Master of Information technology (Cyber-Security)  and Sophie Foo who is graduating with a Master of Psychology (Clinical) have been chosen as student speakers for the ceremonies. 

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman congratulated graduates and said the university is thrilled to have been able to play such an important role in the education of graduates. 

“Graduation ceremonies are about taking the time to reflect and celebrate our student’s journeys and successes here at CDU. I am delighted to see so many students graduating this week,” Professor Bowman said.

“I know that our graduates will go on to have the most incredible careers and will continue to make a positive impact in their communities.”

CDU Graduation ceremonies will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre today, September 30 at 11am and 5pm. A further graduation ceremony will take in place in Sydney at the Town Hall on Thursday, October 20. 

For more information visit: https://www.cdu.edu.au/current-students/student-admin/graduations