Academic year kicks off in Alice

The academic year in Alice Springs will kick off with a student orientation evening in Charles Darwin University’s higher education theatre tomorrow.

Director Central Australia Lyle Mellors said the program would provide students with an opportunity to meet lecturers, learn about support services and to become familiar with the campus.

“We are determined to see our students get the best start possible,” Mr Mellors said.

“Most will be enrolled in nursing or teaching.”

Mr Mellors said he had welcomed five new staff this year, including Health Sciences lecturer Lynn Maloney and Professor Barry Judd, who joins the Northern Institute.

“We also welcome vocational trainers Doreen Colvin (Community Services), Dani Shallow (Conservation Land Management) and finance officer Jolanda Arts.”

Mr Mellors said vocational training in the trades, services industries, community and children’s services and primary industries was already well under way and that the creative arts classes were under way.

Five international students and a group of local students had already completed their first cookery block.

We’ve delivered training to automotive, electro-technology, metal fabrication and carpentry apprentices, and our weekly beauty and hairdressing programs are under way. Our tour guiding and multimedia trainers have been to Yulara and a horticulture trainer to Tennant Creek. 

“We also have trainers out bush at Mutitjulu, Haasts Bluff and Ti Tree, although the rain delayed their departure by a week or so.”

Mr Mellors said improvements would be made to several buildings and facilities at the campus this year. These included an overhaul of the classrooms and offices in electro-technology, an upgrade to the engineering workshop, and the construction of a barista training café in the foyer to the Desert Lantern training restaurant.

He said the coffee shop and cafeteria had also had a face lift. Open from 7.30am until 3pm each week day, Katarina’s Café provides breakfast and lunch menus for staff, students and the public.