Jennes Walker appointed as inaugural Associate Vice-Chancellor of Central Australia at Charles Darwin University
Charles Darwin University has appointed its first ever Associate Vice-Chancellor of Central Australia.
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CHARLES Darwin University has appointed Jennes “Jay” Walker as Associate Vice-Chancellor of Central Australia, a newly created role at the university’s Alice Springs campus.
Mr Walker was previously CDU’s regional engagement and development director since 2018.
A Territorian, Mr Walker has previously worked in a range of business and finance roles and has links to industry, government and business sectors.
The appointment marks a strategic investment by the university to building regional capacity and localised workforce amid a chronic labour shortage across Central Australia.
Mr Walker said the inaugural role would focus on the region’s critical needs.
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“This is a new role and a first for CDU which demonstrates the university’s knowledge and understanding of a place-based approach toward decision making and prioritisation,” he said.
“It shows that CDU recognises that every region and geographical area of the Territory is unique with different people and different needs.”
Mr Walker said he would focus on revitalising the Alice Springs campus with new courses to encourage more Territorians to study locally.
“If you want to live in Alice Springs and go to university, that should be an option,” he said.
“We have an obligation to Territorians to grow and keep our bright future leaders here. We want to reignite Central Australia and embed ourselves as a key pillar of the community, we have a responsibility to Territorians.
“We have advocated strongly to ensure that all regions of the Northern Territory are understood and not overlooked, and this is a refreshing step in the right direction.”
Mr Walker said CDU Alice Springs would look at expanding its local VET footprint and look to introduce short and evening courses across a range of new and existing disciplines, such as hairdressing, creative industries and the trades.
He said that continuing to integrate Indigenous communities and educators into the education offerings at CDU Alice Springs would be key.
“We need to ensure Indigenous Territorians are recognised for the role they play in our community and ensuring that is incorporated into our training and delivery,” he said.
“Our staff have a detailed cultural understanding of the place and people – many have Indigenous backgrounds and experience and are a key part of the community’s fabric.”
CDU has also appointed a new regional operations manager at its Alice Springs campus, long-term Alice Springs resident Jodie Summers, who has lived in Alice Springs for more than 20 years.
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