Alice to honour best and brightest students

Charles Darwin University will honour its best and brightest students at a Prize Giving ceremony in Alice Springs on Monday 12 November.

Campus Director Lyle Mellors said the event was one of the highlights of the academic calendar and a special occasion for the community.

“This is about recognising the incremental achievements of those who have studied through Alice Springs campus,” Mr Mellors said.

“Some of the students we will recognise are completing their studies through distance and on-line learning, others by travelling in to town for training and for others by attending programs in their own workplace or on-site at the Alice springs campus.

“Whichever way they study, we recognise the hard work and effort that each student has made toward their own learning.”

Mr Mellors said 2018 had been another milestone year in Alice Springs, punctuated by several noteworthy events.

“In May we hosted the Knowledge Intersections II Symposium, which showcased the broad range of disciplines and research projects under way in Central Australia.

“In June we held the annual Indigenous valedictory ceremony and celebrated with about 230 graduates from our higher education colleges and Vocational Education and Training Faculty.

“Importantly for higher education in the Red Centre, we applauded the achievements of Dr Kevin Dolman and Dr Leisa McCarthy. It was the first time we’ve had two PhD graduates cross the stage to collect their testamurs at a graduation ceremony in Alice Springs.

“In August the university community welcomed the internationally renowned philosopher Professor Daniel Dennett, who was this year’s Charles Darwin Scholar. Professor Dennett delivered the Charles Darwin Oration, which explored how natural selection is playing out today in the areas of technology, and the understanding of the human mind.”

Mr Mellors said CDU hosted Automotive’s Flying Spanners competition, Hair and Beauty’s Time to Shine pageant and facilitated the renaming of a sports oval in honour of former Campus Director the late Paul “Fizzer” Fitzsimons.

“We also welcomed to the campus officials from Qantas who assessed the suitability of Alice Springs for a pilot academy. We await with anticipation what that might mean to our university and our town.”

Mr Mellors said the Prize Giving event would be held at Araluen Arts Centre Theatre from 7pm.

“We welcome families, friends and employers to come and support the recipients,” he said.