Every September 2024 Charles Darwin University graduate named

A road trip through the Territory’s evolving landscape convinced one Victorian to ditch her real estate career and become an environmental scientist in the NT mining industry.

Scott Bowman Vice Chancellor at the 2024 Graduation ceremony held at Charles Darwin University on April 23, 2024. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

More than 1000 students are set to walk the stage and receive their awards this week at Charles Darwin University's graduation ceremonies.

The class of 2024 included 460 Science and Technology students, 637 Arts and Society students, and 415 Health students.

Bachelor of Environmental Science student Kate Ostle loved the experience her degree afforded her – including field trips to K’gari, Alice Springs, and science outreach programs in remote schools across the NT.

Ms Ostle said she was drawn to environmental science after a road trip from Victoria to Darwin.

“It was pretty eye-opening when you’re going through Central Australia and all these places I’d never seen before,” she said.

“I fell in love with it, it was amazing, I just loved how different the landscape was the further we travelled up the Northern Territory.”

Previously, she had worked in real estate.

Ms Ostle had hoped to take on a FIFO role as an environmental officer on a mine site, but has instead taken a job in the NT government’s mining division so she can stay home and raise her kids.

“I’m learning a lot, but one day I’d love to be able to go back and do teaching and inspire the next generation of people, or even look at doing research,” she said.

Charles Darwin University Bachelor of Environmental Science student Kate Ostle during an ecological field trip.

Sri Lankan student Heelbathdeniye Muhandiramlage A Ravijani Gunathilaka – or Ravi – said she treasured her studies in the Territory and was excited to give back to the NT community.

The Master of Business Administration Sustainable Leadership student said she had a background in architecture but had been looking to “deviate” and “go through the sustainability journey” instead.

Ravi said she chose to study in the Territory because the coursework was a “perfect match” for her goals and the NT offered a lot of opportunities to grow and “embraced different cultures”.

Caps, gowns and crocs: CDU students celebrate graduation

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After her graduation on Tuesday, Ravi said she was excited to dive into her new role as the project co-ordinator at Territory-grown business NTEX.

The demolition company plays a key role in recycling old construction materials for redistribution in new projects.

“My future goal is to become a project manager and contribute to the sustainability industry more and more in the Northern Territory and also establish a not-for-profit,” Ravi said.

“It’s still a dream to establish a non-profit organisation to support small and local businesses in the Northern Territory to make their businesses more sustainable in all aspects.”

Ravi has launched her sustainability career at NTEX.

CDU Chancellor Paul Henderson AO said graduates should feel “extremely proud of all the efforts” that led to their graduation.

Mr Henderson urged the university's newest alumni to “seize opportunity as it presents itself”.

“I have no doubt you will embrace the knowledge and connections you have formed and, as a result, make a real and lasting contribution to the rapidly evolving world in which we live,” he said.

“I am confident that the rigorous study and application that has brought you to this point will deliver benefits to you and the communities you serve, well into the future.”

CDU Vice-Chancellor and president Scott Bowman said he was proud to see so many students joining the university’s alumni network.

He extended his congratulations to every graduate donning a cap and gown.

“Today, you are graduating from one of Australia’s most unique, innovative

and exciting universities – a university that values the resilient, kind and

courageous spirit of its students, staff and alumni,” Mr Bowman said.

“Charles Darwin University is made richer by the diverse backgrounds and extraordinary

passions and perspectives that every one of our new graduates brings.

“On behalf of all your lecturers, tutors and all CDU staff who have guided you

along the educational path, we want to congratulate you on your dedication

and determination towards your studies or training.”

Among the graduates were multiple Doctor recipients, including Anne Martin AM and Lorraine Lesley Victorina Williams who each received an Honorary Doctor of Letters.

16 people graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy:

Wicharn Boonjindasup

Miranda Alice Booth

Octavio Andres Castano Plaza

Winnie Wenshan Chen

Joshua Reginald Francis

Kelly Astra Hosking

Timothy Paul Howarth

Amy Kate Kirke

John Derwent Lamb

Marie Lashbrook

David Keith McKenzie

Arun Senthuran Nagendra

Devika Nair

Daniel Dodzi Yao Setsoafia

Rachel Elinda Tumminello

Raymond Chimezie Ukaegbu.