Student John Hoskins reveals future path after CDU First Nations valedictory 2022
Charles Darwin University has celebrated 119 First Nations graduates with a special valedictory. See the photos of the graduating students who reveal their career paths.
Education
Don't miss out on the headlines from Education. Followed categories will be added to My News.
John Hoskins is a proud Jikilaruwu man who grew up in Darwin and the first to graduate from university.
One of 119 First Nations students who graduated from Charles Darwin University this week, Mr Hoskins is working in an entry level role in the Northern Territory Government after he was encouraged to apply for the program by one of his tutors at CDU.
He proudly accepted his Certificate IV in Computer Systems Technology at the First Nations Valedictory Ceremony held at CDU on Thursday.
“The IT industry is so large and there are plenty of different avenues I can go down and plenty of different opportunities I can take, so I am looking forward to working hard and seeing where my career goes,” the 26-year-old said.
“As a First Nations man I am proud to represent my community and hope to encourage more First Nations people to study and to take any career opportunities that come their way.”
Graduating was bittersweet for Mr Hoskins whose mother died as he was studying.
“Losing my mum while studying was very difficult but she wanted me to finish off my studies and get a good education so I am sure she will be proud of my achievements,” Mr Hoskins said.
Skye Louise Connors from Darwin graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Teaching (Birth-12 Years) and was the Graduand speaker for the First Nations Leadership Valedictory Ceremony.
The ceremony is held specially for First Nations students who have successfully completed their degrees at CDU.
They also attended graduation ceremonies held at the Darwin Convention Centre later in the week.
CDU Deputy Vice-Chancellor First Nations Leadership Professor Reuben Bolt said he was proud to see so many First Nations students graduating and achieving academic success.
“We want to congratulate all of our First Nations students who are graduating this week, it is an important occasion and the culmination of many years of hard work,” Professor Bolt said.
“CDU is very fortunate to have a wonderful cohort of First Nations students who are great role models for their communities and who show other First Nations students that undertaking higher education is a possibility. They make an extremely important contribution to closing the gap.”
New e-sports program heralds school sports evolution
A Darwin school’s e-sports competition hopes to evolve the concept of school sports by providing both healthy competition and important skills for the digital future. Read about the exciting program.
Read more
Parents face fines as truancy officers rolled out at NT schools
School Attendance Officers commenced work this month, marking the controversial return of a program the union warns misses the mark of engaging students in the classroom.
Read more