CDU Open Day draws record crowds

Charles Darwin University Open Day has attracted a record number of more than 5000 visitors to the annual event on Casuarina campus.

More than 200 high school students from across the Northern Territory were among visitors who attended information sessions and demonstrations that showcased CDU’s Higher Education and VET courses.

The campus was abuzz as crowds lined up to explore the virtual world of a mining site with a videogame-like simulator, and to operate a small digger – among other trades activities.

Visitors learned how to improve their outlooks on life by spending 16 minutes at the “16 minutes to success” seminar, delivered by senior lecturer in psychology Associate Professor Simon Moss.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Success Professor Martin Carroll said Open Day showcased CDU’s reputation as a world class and research-focused institution, ranked internationally as one of the top 50 universities under 50 years old.

“CDU continues to move from strength-to-strength, and within just one year has risen by an impressive 17 places in the Times Higher Education international ranking system to 31st place,” he said.

“The Northern Territory deserves a university with an international reputation, and it certainly has one in Charles Darwin University.”

Dozens of stalls provided information about areas of study including medicine, nursing, education, environmental studies, pharmacy, health science, exercise and sports science, tourism and events, psychology, and arts.

CDU’s trades and primary industry facilities were on display, and service industries staff gave demonstrations in areas including hospitality, commercial cookery, hairdressing and beauty.

Key CDU research groups that engaged with visitors included the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Centre for Renewable Energy, Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research, Menzies School of Health Research and the Northern Institute.