More than 150 students are set to graduate from Charles Darwin University (CDU) today at a ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall, a first for the University .
This graduation ceremony is the first the CDU has held in Sydney and will recognize students from a variety of disciplines including nursing and midwifery, computing, education, law, exercise science and sports and accounting, to name a few.
Almost half of the graduate students are from New South Wales, with the rest from all other states and territories, including six students from the Northern Territory.
Graduate students will be recognized for completing a range of degrees with 173 in higher education, three in vocational education and training (VET) and six with a doctorate.
CDU student Allisha Egan (42), a proud Wiradjuri woman from Port Stephens in New South Wales, has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and will work in the profession her mother also worked in with the dream of become a theater nurse.
“My mother being a nurse, I was exposed to the profession very early on and saw the work she did. It inspired me to become a nurse and I am proud to enter the profession,” said Ms Egan.
Ms. Egan’s journey to becoming a nurse was not always easy. She started studying in 2000 but decided to focus on raising her son.
About three years ago, she decided to go back to school despite working full time, raising her teenage son and training to become a volunteer firefighter.
“The journey to complete my studies has not always been easy, but I am very lucky to have great people around me who have helped and supported me,” she said.
“I’m really looking forward to attending the graduation ceremony and celebrating everything I’ve accomplished so far.”
Graduate students based in the Northern Territory intend to contribute to the future of the NT workforce.
Arbin Neupane (24) from Stuart Park, a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in engineering science, intends to stay in the territory and get a job as a civil engineer.
Siddhartha Gurung (24), from Darwin, has an honors degree in engineering, while Lucy Ballard (26) from Alice Springs has a master’s degree in education.
Ashish Jaysing Pailwan (32), from Nightcliff, has a master’s degree in business administration (professional practice) and hopes to one day work as a manager in the mechanical industry while Suzata Neupane (29), a graduate in nursing , from Alice Springs and Vicent Cius (27) from Darwin hope to find employment in the Territory’s hospitals.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said he was delighted to attend the graduation ceremony in Sydney.
“Graduation is always a milestone in the academic journey of our students, and I look forward to attending the ceremony and recognizing the successes of our wonderful cohort of students here in Sydney for the first time,” said Professor Bowman.
“We are confident that CDU has provided our graduates with the skills to go on and have wonderful careers in their chosen field.”
CDU Sydney Region Associate Vice-Chancellor Penelope Sweeting said it was wonderful to see so many students graduating.
“All of our educators, professional staff and beyond are delighted to see so many of our students graduate from their studies and are very excited to be hosting a graduation ceremony in Sydney for the first time,” Ms Sweeting said.
“I wish all of our graduates continued success in their future endeavours, knowing that they will continue to do great things to support the community.”
The CDU graduation ceremony will take place at Sydney Town Hall today 20 October at 6pm.
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