In May Charles Darwin University (CDU) welcomed 19 students from Indonesia in true Aussie style by having a beach BBQ at East Point.
The Graduate School for Health Practice arranged BBQ was attended by the Indonesian consul, CDU staff, and the students from the University of Indonesia, with the Department of the Chief Minister sending their apologies.
All the students have a bachelor level nursing qualification from the University of Indonesia and are undertaking a bridging program. The students will attend English language courses for 12 weeks and clinical programs for another 12 weeks as part of their overall course.
Their course was funded by a gift of $268,000 from the Northern Territory Government to Indonesia to mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence. The aim is to enable the students to apply for registration as an Australian Registered Nurse.
Once registered, the students will be offered sponsorship to stay and work in Australia by the Royal Darwin Hospital as a move to counter the turnover of staff that is experienced in the Northern Territory.