CDU’s youngest Indigenous alumni graduate

A group of youngsters recently graduated from Children’s University Charles Darwin, making them the first Territory alumni of the international program.

Bagot community’s Kaylam Gaykamangu was one of the first Indigenous graduates, with 65 students from Driver, Manunda Terrace and Ludmilla primary schools participating in the program.

More than one-third of the children identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and included students from communities such as Barunga, Ngukurr, Anindilyakwa and the Tiwi Islands.

Children’s University Charles Darwin Program Coordinator Virginia Spicer-Harden said the program encouraged future participation in higher education among primary school children.

“Studies have shown that Children’s University has had a positive impact on school attendance and retention, and students then pursuing higher education,” Ms Spicer-Harden said.

“They had to visit Learning Destinations such as Parliament House, libraries and the museum, and clock up 30 hours of learning outside of school hours to graduate. It encourages the children to get out and about to learn new things and helps foster the love of learning from a young age.”

Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Engagement and Success Professor Philip Seltsikas said the voluntary program was delivered in partnership with schools, parents and a range of Learning Destinations in Darwin and Palmerston.

“Our Children’s University exemplifies CDU’s commitment to developing young minds and stimulating our community’s passion for education,” Professor Seltsikas said.

Children’s University, owned globally by the Children’s University Trust, was established in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s. Children’s University Australia was launched in 2013 at the University of Adelaide.