Alice to celebrate 480 academic achievers at graduation

A creative arts student who explored the cultural, ecological and social history of Central Australia’s Ross River region will receive a doctorate at Charles Darwin University’s graduation ceremony in Alice Springs this week.

Jennifer Taylor, whose thesis included a spectacular series of oil paintings, becomes the fourth CDU student in Alice Springs to receive a PhD in the past five years.

Acting Director Central Australia Lyle Mellors congratulated Ms Taylor on her outstanding achievement, which he said enhanced the university’s reputation for research and excellence in the Red Centre.

“Ms Taylor’s thesis illustrates that painting can facilitate the quest for ethical relationships with country and play a role in caring for country,” he said.

Mr Mellors said 480 Central Australian students would be acknowledged for their academic achievements at the Alice Springs Convention Centre where the annual graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 11.

“Most will receive certificates or other qualifications offered through our faculty of vocational education and training, but also we will celebrate the completion of 49 higher education students.

“The greatest numbers this year are in business, hospitality and music in the VET sector, and teaching and nursing in higher education.”

Mr Mellors said the university was delighted to honour longstanding local businessman Neil Ross, who will become a Companion of the University and outstanding honours graduate Andrew Schubert, who will be presented with a Chancellor’s Medal.

Several thousand students have graduated during the mid-year round, which included three ceremonies in Darwin last month, and an event in Adelaide tonight (June 9) and concludes with the event in Alice Springs.