Distance is often regarded as an insurmountable barrier, but it certainly hasn’t been one for Charles Darwin University graduand Collette Foster.
Collette’s journey has taken her well beyond the confines of the Top End, but it will be her return to Darwin which will mark the culmination of her academic achievements thus far as she prepares to graduate with a Doctorate of Teaching at CDU’s upcoming Graduation Ceremony.
Collette completed her Masters of Education at the then Northern Territory University Brunei before embarking on a Doctor of Teaching degree as a distance student.
Collette has worked in Brunei for the past 15 years and has just gone to live in Al Ain, in the United Arab Emirates.
During her time in Brunei, Collette worked for the Brunei Ministry of Education, the Australian High Commission (promoting Australian Education for DETYA), a joint project between the Brunei Government and the Canberra Institute of TAFE to train 2000 Bruneians for APEC 2000.
She quickly climbed the corporate ladder as she was then appointed the Director of IDP Education Australia in Brunei.
When asked whether she had any advice for students contemplating distance education, she said a strong network was essential.
“Whether it is a mentor or others studying in the same course that you can chat to via email or messenger, it makes studying less stressful to have others to bounce ideas off,” she said.
Collette is one of three sisters to graduate from CDU which is sure to make her father and CDU lecturer, Patrick Ryan, one of the proudest parents on the evening.
Mr Ryan also will be graduating yet again this year with a Graduate Diploma in Education.
The ceremony will be held at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on 12 October. For more information on graduation news and dates go to www.cdu.edu.au/graduation/newsandates.html.