CDU to mark start of academic year
Staff and students will gather at Charles Darwin University’s Alice Springs campus next week for the Semester 1 higher education Orientation evening, formally marking the start of the new academic year.
Director, Regional Engagement and Development Jay Walker said the two-hour event was a must for first-time students and returning students.
“Orientation ensures that students are well equipped to begin the study year on the right foot,” Mr Walker said.
“It allows us to introduce students to their courses, to our staff, to explain the support services we offer and to ensure familiarity with our well-equipped campus.”
Mr Walker said that permanent staff in the fields of Nursing, Midwifery, Education and Environmental Science would continue to operate from Alice Springs campus.
“Our research sector also is active with projects at Masters and PhD levels in Nursing, Indigenous Employment, Environmental Science, Education, Indigenous Child Rearing and Historical Ethnography.”
He said the university would host several key events during the year.
“We will host a formal Graduation event and an Indigenous Valedictory Ceremony in June and our annual Prize-Giving ceremony in November. We’ll also welcome Cambridge University’s Professor Herbert Huppert, who is scheduled to deliver the Australian Academy of Science Selby Lecture at the campus in May.”
Mr Walker said CDU would continue to offer a long list of VET qualifications in support of industry needs, such as Visual Arts, Contemporary Music, Multimedia, Business and Information Technology, Construction, Automotive, Electrotechnology, Plumbing, Metal Engineering, Tourism, Commercial Cookery, Hospitality, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Children’s Services, Community Services and several short courses.
“Our Desert Lantern Training Restaurant will open its doors for the first time this year with two fine-dining Degustation dinners on 20 and 21 March. These evenings will feature a six-course set menu with paired wines, allowing our Cooking and Hospitality staff to demonstrate their culinary skills to industry representatives and others.”
Mr Walker said Orientation would take place on Tuesday 26 February in the campus library from 4.45pm.