CDU wants more international students to move to Darwin

CDU and the NT Government are looking to boost the number of international students studying in the Territory to more than 10,000 in seven years

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY and the NT Government are looking to boost the number of international students studying in the Territory to more than 10,000 in seven years.

Increasing numbers will pump $295 million a year into the local economy up from $91 million per year in 17/18. The plan comes off the back of the Cities Deal which will see a CDU campus built on Cavenagh St.

Currently 2500 international students study at CDU.

Nepalese student Jayan Malla and Colombian Benjamin Poveda-Alfonso have both completed their studies at CDU. Mr Malla said he chose to study at CDU after talking with friends who recommended he look into courses in Darwin. Since finishing his studies in December he hopes to become a permanent resident.

He said the campus in the CBD would make life for international students easier as they had to travel from Casuarina into the city for work. CDU vice-chancellor Simon Maddocks said they would focus on attracting students from China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India and Nepal.

He said there had already been a jump in interest in students looking to study at CDU

“We are very underweight in international student opportunities here and yet through our recently reinvigorated campaign we’ve already got acceptances for CDU up here in Darwin up 30 per cent,” he said.