The CDU Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the significant contributions made by CDU alumni in bringing about positive change to their communities and the world. These alumni are game-changers and trailblazers, pioneers in their field and fearless in their endeavours. They are inspirational and their impact is creating a brighter future for all.
2023 Alumni Award winners
Christine Fejo-King
Distinguished Alumni Award
sponsored by Northern Territory Government
First Nations Alumni Award
sponsored by Newmont Australia
Dr Christine Fejo-King graduated from the former Northern Territory University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Social Work. She is a foundation member of the Australian College of Social Work and was Chairperson of the National Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Worker’s Association for 11 years.
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Yuba Raj Panta
Alumni Award for Community Service
sponsored by NEC Australia
Yuba graduated from CDU in 2019 with a Master of Information Technology (Business Information Systems) and has been volunteering since long before he moved to Australia six years ago.
Matthew Hull
Alumni Award for Early Career Achievement
sponsored by NEC Australia
With an extensive background in Mining, trades, and Defence, Matthew graduated from CDU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Psychological Science and played an integral part in bringing MATES in Construction to the NT.
Mark Englund
Alumni Award for Industry Excellence
sponsored by Halikos
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours from CDU in 1998, Dr Mark Englund has become a multi-award winning serial entrepreneur, founding three deep tech startups that rapidly expanded to make an impact on the world stage.
Jayson Ibanez
International Alumni Award
sponsored by Allianz Care
As a young boy, Jayson was captivated by the beauty of the Philippine Eagle in photos of the National Geographic Magazine. Fast forward 1996, and Jayson got his dream job at the Philippine Eagle Foundation, where he had the rare opportunity to see the critically endangered Philippine national bird in the wild. This encounter with the bird and its habitat changed his life forever.
Special Commendations
Shanae Kuo
Alumni Award for Community Service - Special Commendation
sponsored by NEC Australia
Born and raised in the NT, Shanae graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary). She not only teaches Science, she also coordinates the Community Ambassadors program, a student group that facilitates community connections through fundraising and advocating for student voice.
David Beckham
Alumni Award for Early Career Achievement - Special Commendation
sponsored by NEC Australia
David holds qualifications in major AND hospital incident medical management and support, is a qualified trainer, and is a Registered Emergency Department Nurse, graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing from CDU in 2020.
Lawrence Fletcher
Alumni Award for Industry Excellence - Special Commendation
sponsored by Halikos
Lawrence moved with his family to the NT in 1989 where he lived at Kalkaringi and Barunga before finally settling at Ngukurr where his mother was the Primary Health Centre Manager. He attended Katherine School of the Air, with his father teaching him and his 3 siblings.
Aly de Groot
Alumni Award for Industry Excellence - Special Commendation
sponsored by Halikos
Dr Aly de Groot is contemporary fibre artist who has been dedicated to learning, practicing and teaching contemporary basket-making processes for more than 2 decades. Her work is inspired by her empathy for marine life and ecosystems, and the environmental challenges faced today.
Yvonne Cadet-James
First Nations Alumni Award - Special Commendation
sponsored by Newmont Australia
Professor Yvonne Cadet-James has 45 years’ experience in the fields of health and education with a background as a registered nurse and midwife, followed by her career as an academic. She has a significant tack record as a researcher in public and indigenous health, and played a major role in national indigenous research reform through representation on national committees, including the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Ovania Auxiliadora de Fatima Mendonca
International Alumni Award - Special Commendation
sponsored by Allianz Care
After graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science in 2015, Ovania worked closely with the Ministry of Health and its stakeholders within Timor-leste to contribute to the management of Timor-Leste’s Health and other socio-economic challenges.