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Charles Darwin University

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Charles Darwin University
Emblem of Charles Darwin University
Former name
List
    • Darwin Community College (1974–1984)[1]
    • Darwin Institute of Technology (1985–1988)
    • Northern Territory University (1989–2003)[1]
TypePublic research university
Established
  • 1974 (earliest college)[1]
  • 1989 (university status)[1]
  • 2003 (university merger)[1]
AccreditationTEQSA[2]
BudgetA$403.95 million (2023)[3]
ChancellorPaul Henderson[4]
Vice-ChancellorScott Bowman[5]
Academic staff
606 (FTE, 2023)[3]
Administrative staff
893 (FTE, 2023)[3]
Total staff
1,499 (FTE, 2023)[3]
Students22,338 (2023)[3]
Undergraduates8,340 (2023)[3]
Postgraduates3,511 coursework (2023)
365 research (2023)[3]
Other students
Address
Ellengowan Drive
,
Darwin
,
Northern Territory
,
0810
,
Australia[6]
CampusUrban and regional with multiple sites[6]
Named afterCharles Darwin[1]
ColoursBlue Red[7]
NicknameDangudbila (Larrakia for kangaroos)[8]
Sporting affiliations
MascotCharles the Crocodile[citation needed]
Websitecdu.edu.au

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is an Australian public university with two campuses in Darwin and six satellite campuses in metropolitan and regional areas of the Northern Territory. It was established in 2003 after the merger of Northern Territory University, the Menzies School of Health Research, and Centralian College.

It is the largest tertiary education provider in the Northern Territory and offers both academic degree and vocational education programs. It has close ties to First Nations learning and research, is a member of the Northern Australia Universities Alliance, and specialises in tropical savanna environments.

History

[edit]

Charles Darwin University evolved through the merger of several NT-based higher education institutions.

Darwin Community College

[edit]

Darwin Community College, situated on what would become the site of Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus, was founded in 1974. In 1985, it evolved into the Darwin Institute of Technology, offering a mix of College of Advanced Education and TAFE studies.

In 1989, the institute became the Northern Territory University, offering degrees in Arts, Education, Business and Applied Science.[9]

Menzies School of Health Research

[edit]

The Menzies School of Health Research was established in 1985 as a body corporate of the Northern Territory Government under the Menzies School of Health Research Act 1985.[10] This act was amended in 2004 to formalise the relationship with Charles Darwin University.[11] Menzies is now a major partner with CDU and constitutes a school within the university on CDU's Casuarina campus, offering post-graduate degrees and higher degrees by research.[12]

University College of the Northern Territory

[edit]

The Government of the Northern Territory made numerous requests to the Commonwealth Government to finance a university. However, the population was deemed too small. In 1985, the Territory’s government took the unusual step of entirely financing a new entity named the University College of the Northern Territory over a five-year period from 1987 to 1991. The college was governed by a council chaired by former Family Court chief justice Austin Asche and led by a warden, Professor Jim Thomson, from the University of Queensland. The University of Queensland allowed the college to award degrees from that institution. Staff were recruited in 1986 and housed in the old Darwin Primary School buildings. Before the first student intake in February 1987, the college moved to a converted building at the former Darwin Hospital at Myilly Point in Darwin. A former nurses' hostel became a student residence named International House. The college had two faculties, Arts and Science. Its University of Queensland connection allowed it to award the first Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the Northern Territory.[13][page needed]

Centralian College

[edit]

Centralian College was founded in 1993 from the merger of Sadadeen Senior Secondary College and the Alice Springs College of TAFE. During its life, the college delivered senior secondary, TAFE and higher education through its main campus in Alice Springs, and to a lesser extent the whole Northern Territory.[14]

A merger with NTU in 2003 resulted in a newly divested Centralian College becoming a senior secondary school catering to students from Year 10 to Year 12. It now shares its campus with the Charles Darwin University, using the university's facilities. Centralian College students can participate in CDU’s vocational courses from as early as Year 10.[15]

Northern Territory University

[edit]

The Northern Territory University was founded in January 1989 by a merger between the Darwin Institute of Technology and the University College of the Northern Territory under the Dawkins Revolution, a series of higher education reforms rolled out by then federal Education Minister John Dawkins. The new university opened its doors on 1 January 1989, awarding degrees from the University of Queensland.

NTU's first vice-chancellor was Murdoch University Professor Malcolm (Mal) Nairn. During Nairn's term of office, study centres that were previously run by the NT Government were integrated with the university. The Palmerston campus, which had previously been a TAFE College, was also added. The Palmerston campus is situated on University Avenue, as this was the proposed site for a new university in a submission to the federal government in 1981.[16]

In 1996, Nairn was replaced by Professor Roger Holmes from Griffith University. After serving for a single semester, he left to take up the post of vice-chancellor at the University of Newcastle.[17]

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ron McKay replaced Holmes as the university's third vice-chancellor. Financial constraints on the university increased as it struggled with providing a broad tertiary education offering to a small and widespread population. In January 2001, the Katherine Rural College, including Mataranka Station, became part of the university.[18]

After McKay's resignation due to ill health in 2002, an interim vice-chancellor, former vice-chancellor of the University of Wollongong Professor Ken McKinnon, was appointed. He took various actions to improve the health of the university, some controversial, such as the proposal to merge with Centralian College, and a new name for the university.[citation needed]

Charles Darwin University

[edit]
Library, Palmerston campus

On 21 August 2003, the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly passed the Charles Darwin University Act 2003 (NT), merging Alice Springs' Centralian College and the Menzies School of Health Research with the Northern Territory University to form Charles Darwin University from 1 January 2004. The inaugural university council meeting was held on 26 November 2003.[19][20]

Campuses and buildings

[edit]

The university has its main campus in Casuarina, in Darwin’s north. In 2024, it opened the Danala campus in the Darwin's Education and Community Precinct.[21] Satellite campuses are spread across metropolitan and regional areas, including Palmerston, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek in the NT, and Sydney and Brisbane.[22]

Governance and structure

[edit]

Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor

[edit]

The current and fourth chancellor of the university is former politician Paul Henderson, inducted March 2019.[23] In December 2024, CDU announced that Trevor Riley, who had previously served as the Chief Justice of the Northern Territory, would take office as the university's fifth chancellor from 1 July 2025.[24]

The vice-chancellor and president of the university since May 2021 is Professor Scott Bowman.[25]

Academic structure

[edit]

CDU comprises three faculties offering undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications:

  • Faculty of Arts and Society[26]
  • Faculty of Health[27]
  • Faculty of Science and Technology[28]

It also has CDU TAFE offering vocational education and training.[29]

Academic profile

[edit]
Courtyard, Casuarina campus

CDU is a dual-sector university which also offers vocational education and training (VET) courses, in addition to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, across various industry sectors including engineering and mining, agriculture and aquaculture, health care, trades and education.[30][31]

Research divisions

[edit]

Charles Darwin University's research institutes and centres include:[32]

  • Menzies School of Health Research[33]
  • Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods (tropical savanna research)
  • Northern Institute (social and policy research in Northern Australia)
  • Energy and Resources Institute
  • Research Institute for Northern Agriculture
  • The Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights
  • Centre for Creative Futures
  • North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems
  • NT Academic Centre for Cybersecurity and Innovation
  • Health Hub (student-run multidisciplinary health centre)
  • First Nations Sovereignty and Diplomacy Centre

Academic reputation

[edit]
University rankings
Global – Overall
CWTS World[34]1248[a] (2024)
QS World[35]621–630 (2025)
THE World[36]401–500 (2025)
USNWR Global[37]818 (24/25)
National – Overall
CWTS National[38]33[a] (2024)
ERA National[39]37 (2018)
QS National[40]32 (2025)
THE National[41]26–33 (2025)
USNWR National[42]31 (24/25)
AFR National[43]36 (2024)
National publications

In the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2024, the university was ranked #36 amongst Australian universities.[44]

Global publications

In the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2024), the university attained a position of #621–630 (32nd nationally).[45]

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (published 2024), the university attained a position of #401–500 (tied 26–33 nationally).[46]

In the 2024–2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, the university attained a position of #818 (31st nationally).[47]

In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024,[a] the university attained a position of #1248 (33rd nationally).[48]

Student outcomes

[edit]

The Australian Government's QILT[b] conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment.[49] These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction[49] rather than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.[50]

In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, CDU graduates had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 86%.[51]

In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, CDU graduates had a full-time employment rate of 85.9% for undergraduates and 86.1% for postgraduates.[52] The initial full-time salary was A$75,000 for undergraduates and A$90,700 for postgraduates.[52]

In the 2023 Student Experience Survey, undergraduates at the university rated the quality of their entire educational experience at 70.2% meanwhile postgraduates rated their overall education experience at 73.6%.[53]

Lecture series

[edit]

Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture

[edit]

The Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lectures were established in 1996 to commemorate the Wave Hill walk-off led by Gurindji Aboriginal rights activist Vincent Lingiari in August 1966. Held annually at the Casuarina campus amphitheatre and open to the public, the lecture now forms part of the Gurindji's annual Freedom Day Festival.

Former Governor-General William Deane, former prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, Indigenous rights activist Galarrwuy Yunupingu, former senator and Indigenous rights activist Patrick Dodson, and writer and Indigenous rights activist Marcia Langton have all presented lectures.[54]

In 2022, Torres Strait Islander human rights campaigner Thomas Mayo, a signatory on the Uluru Statement from the Heart and an advocate for the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, delivered the oration. He drew parallels between Lingiari's struggle to be heard by governments to what Indigenous peoples of Australia are experiencing today.[55]

Student life

[edit]

Student demographics

[edit]

Charles Darwin University’s 2023 annual report shows enrolments totalled 22,338 students, with 9305 students enrolled in vocational and educational training courses and 13,033 enrolled in higher education degrees.[56]

Student union

[edit]

The CDU Student Council represents undergraduate students while the CDU Postgraduate Student Association, a member of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, represents postgraduate students.

Multiple student associations also exist for the individual schools, including the CDU Law Students' Society,[57] and the CDU Business Students' Association. These student groups offer academic, career and professional support to their members, as well as organising social events throughout the year.

Student media and radio

[edit]

104.1 Territory FM is a community radio station broadcasting via an ACMA community radio licence held by CDU. It is based at the Danala | Education and Community Centre campus in central Darwin and is broadcast on 104.1 to Darwin and surrounds, including Palmerston, and on the DAB+ digital radio platform.[citation needed]

Notable people

[edit]
For a more comprehensive list, see List of Charles Darwin University people.

See also

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c The CWTS Leiden Ranking is based on P (top 10%).
  2. ^ Abbreviation for Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching.[49]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "History of CDU". Charles Darwin University. Darwin, Northern Territory. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Charles Darwin University". Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "2023 year in review" (PDF). Charles Darwin University. Darwin, Northern Territory. 30 June 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Chancellor". Charles Darwin University. Darwin, Northern Territory. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Vice-Chancellor and President". Charles Darwin University. Darwin, Northern Territory. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Our campus & centre locations". Charles Darwin University. Darwin, Northern Territory. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Style Guide". Charles Darwin University. Darwin, Northern Territory. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  8. ^ "CDU students ready to make their mark at Indigenous Nationals games". Charles Darwin University. Darwin, Northern Territory. 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Darwin Community College". Charles Darwin University. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  10. ^ "Act No. 60 of 1985". Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  11. ^ "About us". Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Education and training". Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  13. ^ Webb, Charles (2014). "Cdu-eventful-journey" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Centralian College". Charles Darwin University. Archived from the original on 10 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  15. ^ Webb, Charles J. (2014). "Cdu-eventful-journey" (PDF). www.google.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Place Names Register". www.ntlis.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Letter from the Vice Chancellor NTU | The Stone Family in Australia". www.stonefamilyinaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  18. ^ Government, Northern Territory (1 March 2016). "Timeline of events". education.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Leadership". Charles Darwin University. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  20. ^ "Charles Darwin University Act 2003 (NT) Second Reading Speech". Archived from the original on 11 November 2005. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  21. ^ "Danala | Education and Community Precinct | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Our locations". Charles Darwin University. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  23. ^ "Chancellor: The Honourable Paul Henderson AO". Charles Darwin University. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Trevor Riley appointed as CDU Chancellor | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  25. ^ "Charles Darwin University welcomes new Vice-Chancellor and President". Charles Darwin University. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Faculty of Arts and Society | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  27. ^ "Faculty of Health | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  28. ^ "Faculty of Science and Technology | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  29. ^ "CDU TAFE | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  30. ^ "CDU TAFE | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  31. ^ Zoellner, Don (2017). Vocational education and training. Australia: ANU Press. ISBN 9781760460990.
  32. ^ "Research institutes and centres | Charles Darwin University". www.cdu.edu.au. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  33. ^ "Menzies – School of Health Research". Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  34. ^ "CWTS Leiden Ranking". CWTS Leiden Ranking (Centre for Science and Technology Studies). Leiden: Leiden University.
  35. ^ "QS World University Rankings: Top Global Universities". QS World University Rankings. London: Quacquarelli Symonds.
  36. ^ "World University Rankings". London: Times Higher Education.
  37. ^ "Best Global Universities Rankings". Washington, D.C.: U.S. News & World Report.
  38. ^ "CWTS Leiden Ranking". CWTS Leiden Ranking (Centre for Science and Technology Studies). Leiden: Leiden University.
  39. ^ "ERA Research Excellence Rankings Analysis". Melbourne: Australian Education Network.
  40. ^ "QS World University Rankings: Top Global Universities". QS World University Rankings. London: Quacquarelli Symonds.
  41. ^ "World University Rankings". London: Times Higher Education.
  42. ^ "Best Global Universities in Australia". Washington, D.C.: U.S. News & World Report.
  43. ^ "Best Universities Ranking". Australian Financial Review. Sydney: Nine Entertainment.
  44. ^ "Best Universities Ranking". Australian Financial Review. Sydney, New South Wales: Nine Entertainment.
  45. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities". QS World University Rankings. London, United Kingdom: Quacquarelli Symonds.
  46. ^ "World University Rankings". Times Higher Education. London, United Kingdom: Inflexion.
  47. ^ "Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Washington, D.C., United States.
  48. ^ "CWTS Leiden Ranking". CWTS Leiden Ranking (Centre for Science and Technology Studies). Leiden, Netherlands: Leiden University.
  49. ^ a b c "About". Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  50. ^ Bridgestock, Laura (19 April 2021). "World University Ranking Methodologies Compared". Quacquarelli Symonds. London, United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  51. ^ "2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey" (PDF). Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. May 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  52. ^ a b "2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey: National Report" (PDF). Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. May 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  53. ^ "2023 Student Experience Survey" (PDF). Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. May 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  54. ^ "Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture". Charles Darwin University. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  55. ^ Collard, Sarah (25 August 2022). "Don't let 'low bar politics' hold back Indigenous voice, advocate to say in Lingiari lecture". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  56. ^ "Annual reports". Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  57. ^ "Home – CDULSS". Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
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