CDU students set to graduate at Sydney ceremony

More than 150 students are set to graduate from Charles Darwin University (CDU) today at a ceremony held at Sydney’s Town Hall, in a first for the University. 

This graduation ceremony is the first CDU has held in Sydney and will recognise students from a range of disciplines including nursing and midwifery, IT, education, law, exercise and sport science and accounting to name a few.  

Nearly half the students graduating are from New South Wales with the rest located from all other states and territories including six students from the Northern Territory. 

Graduating students will be recognised for completing a range of degrees with 173 in Higher Education, three in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and six PhD graduates.

CDU student Allisha Egan (42), a proud Wiradjuri woman from Port Stephens in New South Wales, is graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing and will work in the profession her mother also worked in with dreams of becoming a theatre nurse. 

“With my mum being a nurse, I was exposed to the profession very early on and I saw the work that she did. This inspired me to become a nurse and I am proud to enter the profession,” Ms Egan said. 

Ms Egan’s journey to becoming a nurse hasn’t always been an easy one. She began studying back in 2000 but decided to focus on raising her son. 

About three years ago, she decided to go back to study despite working full time, raising her teenage son, and undertaking training to be a volunteer firefighter. 

“The journey to complete my studies hasn’t always been an easy one but I am very fortunate to have some amazing people around me who helped and supported me,” she said. 

“I am really looking forward to the graduation ceremony and to celebrate all that I have achieved so far.” 

The graduating students who are based in the Northern Territory have plans to contribute to the future of the NT’s workforce.  

Arbin Neupane (24) of Stuart Park who is graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering Science, has plans to stay in the Territory and gain employment as a civil engineer.  

Siddhartha Gurung (24), of Darwin is graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering Honours, while Lucy Ballard (26) from Alice Springs is graduating with a Master of Teaching.

Ashish Jaysing Pailwan (32), of Nightcliff, is graduating with a Master of Business Administration (Professional Practice) and hopes to one day work as a manager in the mechanical industry while Bachelor of Nursing graduates Suzata Neupane (29), of Alice Springs and Vicent Cius (27) from Darwin hope to gain employment at Territory hospitals.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said he was thrilled to be attending the graduation ceremony in Sydney.

“Graduation is always a significant milestone in our students’ academic journey, and I look forward to attending the ceremony and recognising the successes of our wonderful student cohort here in Sydney for the first time,” Professor Bowman said. 

“We are confident that CDU has provided our graduates with the necessary skills to go on and have wonderful careers in their chosen field.”

CDU Associate Vice-Chancellor Sydney Region Penelope Sweeting said it is wonderful to see so many students graduating. 

“Everyone from our educators, professional staff and beyond are so pleased to see so many of our students graduating from their studies and are very excited to be holding a graduating ceremony in Sydney for the first time,” Ms Sweeting said. 

“I wish all of our graduates continued success in their future endeavours, knowing they will go on to do great things to support the community.”

The CDU Graduation ceremony will be held at the Sydney Town Hall today, October 20 at 6pm.

For more information head to: www.cdu.edu.au/current-students/student-admin/graduations