Uni grads to celebrate

Charles Darwin University graduands will emerge as qualified engineers, artists, health practitioners, educators, plumbers, and even arborists at one of two graduation ceremonies in Darwin today (Friday, 16 October).

Hundreds of students will celebrate with a broad range of vocational and higher education qualifications.

Some 16 PhD graduands will gain the title of doctor in research ranging from prevention of acute respiratory infections among Indigenous infants of the Northern Territory to the conservation biology of dolphins in coastal waters of the NT.

Richard Grant Giles will be honoured with a Companion of the University at the first ceremony for his contribution to the university. Mr Giles has provided more than 21 years of pro-bono legal counsel to the CDU Foundation. He will deliver the Occasional Address at the morning ceremony

The CDU Chancellor, the Honourable Sally Thomas AC, will deliver the Occasional Address at the second ceremony. This will be her final graduation ceremony as Chancellor. Ms Thomas was appointed Chancellor of the University on 1 January 2010 and has overseen a period of strong growth at the university. She was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the people of the Northern Territory, particularly to the judiciary and social justice, to the advancement of women in the legal profession, to youth, and to the promotion and development of tertiary education.

The ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering, Health, Science and the Environment; Menzies School of Health Research; Faculty of Vocational Education and Training School of Health, Community and Children’s Services, School of Primary Industries, and School of Trades will be held at 11am.

Graduates from the Faculty of Law, Education, Business and Arts; Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education, and the Faculty of Vocational Education and Training School of Service Industries will be recognised at the ceremony starting at 5pm.

The two graduation ceremonies will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre.