International network’s first meeting brings together alumni

Charles Darwin University (CDU) reached a significant milestone in efforts to be connected locally, nationally, and internationally with the inaugural meeting of the University’s Timor-Leste Alumni Network Committee. 

The Timor-Leste Alumni Network was launched in November 2022 as CDU’s first international alumni network, with Bachelor of Health Science alumna Ovania Auxiliadora de Fatima Mendonca appointed Chair. 

After more than a year of effort, the Network has now reconnected with 50% of CDU’s Timorese in-country alum. They recently came together at an alumni and stakeholder event held at the Timor Plaza Hotel on February 20, to celebrate appointment of a working committee consisting of incredibly motivated alumni who work in various areas including the Ministries of Health, and Foreign Affairs, DFAT, Education, the Red Cross, and the United Nations Women of Timor-Leste. 

CDU Alumni Manager David MacBain said reestablishing connections with past students was critical, with more than 170 Timorese alum, many of whom have returned home after studying with CDU in Australia. 

“As a university we want to help enrich our graduate’s professional and personal lives by fostering alumni-led engagement, with the University and with one another,” Mr MacBain said. 

“This committee will work hard to continue building relationships with alumni in Timor-Leste, to build a collective knowledge bank, and provide the University with advice that will help us shape our strategic decisions to make a difference here in Timor-Leste.” 

The committee members are: 

Carmen Gomes do Rosario, Technical Advisor for the HANDS (pre-school education) program. 

Delfina Pereira Parada, Grants Manager for US AID. 

Lusitania Da Costa Cornelia Lopes, Communication Officer for the Women in Maritime Association Asia and Former Legal Advisor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Madalena Costa Soares, Grant Administrator for the Ministry of Health, 2021 CDU International Alumni Award Recipient. 

Natalia Da Silva Barreto Afonso, Program Assistant at United Nations Women. 

Ovania Auxiliadora de Fatima Mendonca, Program Coordinator for Nutrition, Disaster Management and Humanitarian, ANCP and Australian Volunteer Programs at DFAT. 

To join CDU’s Timor-Leste Alumni Network or find out more about its in-country activities, contact alumni@cdu.edu.au