High achiever sets sights on world’s top unis

High-achieving Indigenous student Nathan Canuto has returned from an inspirational study tour of some of the world’s most prestigious universities, helping him hone his future research pathway.

The Charles Darwin University student, who is undertaking Honours in psychology this year, was one of 17 Indigenous people from across Australia invited to attend the Aurora Indigenous Scholars International Study Tour for students considering postgraduate studies in the United States or the United Kingdom.

Nathan met with professors and attended lectures and information sessions at schools including Harvard, Oxford, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, and Cambridge.

“The tour really helped me focus my study direction,” Nathan said. “I was able to meet with some renowned professors offering some amazing programs in the areas of Indigenous education.”

“I am really excited about the prospect of applying to undertake further post-graduate research at one of these institutions after I complete my Honours with CDU.”

Nathan is passionate about working with Indigenous youth and helping them broaden their skills, running several youth programs before beginning his undergraduate degree at CDU.

“Working with Indigenous youth is what inspired me to study psychology,” he said. “I hope to help Indigenous people gain real freedom of choice in the future. To me this means making choices based on knowledge of all options and outcomes.”

Nathan graduated with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) from CDU last year and is now working on an Honours degree, focusing on Indigenous education.

Last year he won the Top End National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee Scholar of the Year award. He is a CDU Indigenous Student Ambassador and tutor, was a mentor and tutor at Kormilda College, and is on the Student Representative Committee for Indigenous Allied Health Australia.