A new $7 million facility will boost on-campus student accommodation at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus when it is opened today by the Federal Minister for Higher Education, Senator Chris Evans.
The four-building complex will provide an additional 72 beds on campus, taking the capacity of CDU’s International House Darwin up to 360 students.
International House Darwin (IHD) manager Dean Preddy said the new accommodation would enable IHD to grow alongside the university as it attracted more students.
“All four buildings are two-storey apartment-style structures based on the concept for the original International House built almost 90 years ago in New York,” he said. “The rooms have been designed around large communal areas that include a kitchen, dining room and lounge to encourage students to integrate and form a small community.”
Mr Preddy said that two of the buildings would provide single and twin share accommodation for up to 40 domestic and international students.
“It is expected that international students will account for most of the demand, although housing domestic students is equally as important to ensure the international students learn about local culture,” he said.
“Currently 60 per cent of our resident population are international students from 42 countries. “This is expected to increase to around 70 to 75 per cent over the next few years.”
Mr Preddy said the concept behind IHD was to create a community of students of varying nationalities to encourage the sharing of experiences and cultural education. “This is consistent with our iGrow student development program, which promotes student growth in five key areas including cultural, personal well-being, professional, location and of course academic,” he said.
The other two buildings in the complex were funded through the Australian Government’s Education Investment Fund and will house 32 students undertaking study at the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education.
Mr Preddy said there were a number of energy-efficiency schemes included in the design of all buildings including electronic Energy Saving Devices in each room, solar hot water throughout and energy-efficient lighting and white goods.