Thousands of Territorians have converged on Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus as part of the 2011 Open Day to discover how CDU is contributing to improving the quality of life for Territorians, through research, teaching and training, and partnerships.
Headline act and Australian legendary rock band Jebediah rocked the 3500 strong crowd, along with Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants, who entertained the kids.
CDU Bachelor of Accounting student and winner of the “meet the band” competition Lloyd Rinaldi, and three of his mates, met Jedediah backstage. They also received autographed copies of the band’s new album “Kosciuszko”.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover said the Open Day had been a resounding success and a great opportunity for not only perspective students, but also for the Darwin community to come and see what CDU had to offer.
The popular research seminars gave visitors an insight into the cutting edge research addressing Territory issues, including the imminent oil and gas boom, along with Indigenous economic development, humanitarianism, and climate change.
Budding tradespeople saw why CDU’s students are among the Territory's top apprentices, trainees and vocational students and why CDU is consistently recognised as the NT's Training Provider of the Year. The hands-on demonstrations including the welding simulators created a virtual reality for visitors to try their hands at controlling the “weld arc”, a 2200 °C fireball.
CDU’s nationally and internationally recognised chefs delivered a slice of Africa to crowds, who sampled delicious gourmet foods including flat breads, dukka and a 48-hour slow cooked lamb stew.
Some of the ancient secrets of pharmacy were revealed in an activity transporting people back to 8000 BC, the time of the first records of medicine and pharmaceutical preparation by humans for human and animal use.
Various tours allowed visitors to explore the campus finding hidden gems including internationally themed gardens and exceptional art galleries, along with new developments in terms of infrastructure and education and training programs including the gym and sports precinct and CDU Pharmacy and Flinders Medical buildings.
If you missed the Open Day and would like to find out more about CDU’s learning technologies and flexible study options and the many ways to access education at CDU, including online, and how to enrol at CDU visit W: www.cdu.edu.au.