Charles Darwin University Children’s University celebrates the graduation of 30 Top End children

A university graduation like no other has been held in Central Australia. The mini Class of 2022 has a lot to celebrate. See the cute photos here.

Central Australian schools celebrating graduation from the Children's University program. Picture: James Tudor

This isn’t your typical university graduation ceremony.

All 30 students making up the class of 2022 are a bit younger than the usual demographic — in fact they’re just children.

Charles Darwin University’s Children’s University Program, launched in May, is this week celebrating the first cohort of students graduating.

The Children’s University was introduced with the aim of engaging students in learning outside of class time and increasing their participation in education.

Tywan Armstrong from Yipirinya School at the Children's University graduation. Picture: James Tudor

CDU Children’s University project officer Mariann Reu said the pilot program was a huge success over the past six months and would be appropriately celebrated.

“The inaugural ceremony rewards the graduating children with a sense of pride in their accomplishments and helps builds their confidence and aspirations for educational achievement in the future,” Mrs Reu said.

Emma Schoonover from Living Waters Lutheran School was awarded CU Silver Medal. Picture: James Tudor

“It’s an important new advance for the outback region since the program delivers a range of benefits, both in educational and personal development for children,” she said.

The University hopes to expand its reach to more kids at more schools across the Red Centre.

The 2022 program saw involvement from Yipirinya School and Living Waters Lutheran School and nine different community organisations.

Students were given a “passport to learning” as they took part in activities to set them up for different university courses, including a taste of anthropology at the Museum of Central Australia and veterinary science at Alice Springs Desert Park.

Ludmilla Primary Students Keanu Fejo, Ellena Fejo, Ava Anderson and Valerie Alford as Young scholars graduate from Children’s University in Darwin. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Across the Top End the program celebrated its fourth graduation ceremony, with students from Anula Primary, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary, Ludmilla Primary, Manunda Terrace, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, St Paul’s Catholic Primary and Woodroffe Primary taking the total number of graduates to 204.

“These students are the future leaders and innovators of the Northern Territory and it is a great privilege for the university to give these young scholars a glimpse at what’s possible if they pursue a tertiary pathway,” CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said.