Thousands of Darwin locals have packed Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus to see why the university is placed among the country’s best in higher education, research and training.
Performances from Bollywood dancers, singer Shellie Morris, Mbackeh African Drumming and The Neo provided the soundscape for CDU’s 2012 Open Day, while live appearances from Dora the Explorer brought a smile to hundreds of children’s faces.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover said the successful day gave visitors the opportunity to explore their learning interests and enjoy a day of free entertainment.
“Open Day isn’t just for prospective students. It’s also a great opportunity for members of the community to explore how CDU is contributing to the Territory in terms of teaching and training, research and partnerships,” Professor Glover said.
Workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and seminars packed the event program, with CDU’s brightest minds inspiring future students with the range of courses and programs on offer.
Popular among the crowd was the series of workshops that gave attendees the chance to develop practical skills such as making hand cream, creating a lino-cut print and performing a laboratory dissection on a crocodile.
The Engineering and IT exhibition was a hive of activity, with attendees operating Lego robots with android phones, chatting with the computerised talking head and inspecting the university’s electric car.
Virtual reality technologies such as the watercraft and welding simulators provided a safe learning experience for many wanting to try their hands at a trade, while the hordes lapped up the market atmosphere, with everything from food stalls selling Congolese fare, to plant and book sales.