View source for Charles Darwin University

{{short description|Public university in Northern Territory, Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Charles Darwin University
 | established            = {{ubl
|1974 (earliest college)<ref name="History" />
|1989 (university status)<ref name="History" />
|2003 (university merger)<ref name="History" />
}}
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | chancellor             = [[Paul Henderson (politician)|Paul Henderson]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chancellor |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/chancellor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613182056/https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/chancellor |archive-date=13 June 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], [[Northern Territory]]}}</ref>
 | vice_chancellor        = [[Scott Bowman (Australian academic)|Scott Bowman]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vice-Chancellor and President |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/vice-chancellor-president |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525200318/https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/vice-chancellor-president |archive-date=25 May 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], [[Northern Territory]]}}</ref>
 | address                = Ellengowan Drive
 | city                   = [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]]
 | state                  = [[Northern Territory]]
 | postalcode             = 0810
 | country                = [[Australia]]<ref name="Locations">{{Cite web |title=Our campus & centre locations |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/locations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009124014/https://www.cdu.edu.au/locations |archive-date=9 October 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], [[Northern Territory]]}}</ref>
 | total_staff            = 1,499 ([[Full-time equivalent|FTE]], 2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
 | students               = 22,338 (2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
 | undergrad              = 8,340 (2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
 | postgrad               = 3,511 coursework (2023){{br}}365 research (2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
 | doctoral               = 
 | other                  = {{ubl
|9,305 ([[Australian Qualifications Framework|VET]]) (2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
|1,249 other (2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
}}
 | academic_staff         = 606 ([[Full-time equivalent|FTE]], 2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
 | administrative_staff   = 893 ([[Full-time equivalent|FTE]], 2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023">{{Cite web |date=30 June 2024 |title=2023 year in review |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/files/2024-06/annual-report-2023.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815231105/https://www.cdu.edu.au/files/2024-06/annual-report-2023.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2024 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], [[Northern Territory]]}}</ref>
 | campus                 = [[Urban area|Urban]] and [[Rural area|regional]] with multiple sites<ref name="Locations" />
 | free_label             = Named after
 | free                   = [[Charles Darwin]]<ref name="History">{{Cite web |title=History of CDU |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/history-cdu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001030105/https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/history-cdu |archive-date=1 October 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], [[Northern Territory]]}}</ref>
 | colours                = <span style="background:#003359; border:1px solid #000; color:#fff; padding:2px 14px;">Blue</span> <span style="background:#990000; border:1px solid #000; color:#fff; padding:2px 14px;">Red</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=Style Guide |url=https://bookshop.cdu.edu.au/pages/style-guide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731171313/https://bookshop.cdu.edu.au/pages/style-guide |archive-date=31 July 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], [[Northern Territory]]}}</ref>
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{hlist |[[UniSport]] |[[Australian Institute of Sport#Elite Athlete Education Network|EAEN]] }}
 | sports_nickname        = Dangudbila ([[Laragiya language|Larrakia]] for kangaroos)<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=CDU students ready to make their mark at Indigenous Nationals games |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/cdu-students-ready-make-their-mark-indigenous-nationals-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613164359/https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/cdu-students-ready-make-their-mark-indigenous-nationals-games |archive-date=13 June 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], [[Northern Territory]]}}</ref>
 | accreditation          = [[Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency|TEQSA]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Darwin University |url=https://www.teqsa.gov.au/provider/charles-darwin-university |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410180508/https://www.teqsa.gov.au/provider/charles-darwin-university |archive-date=10 April 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=[[Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency]] |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]]}}</ref>
 | endowment              = 
 | budget                 = {{AUD}}403.95 [[1,000,000|million]] (2023)<ref name="Annual Report 2023" />
 | logo_size              = 175px
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.cdu.edu.au/|cdu.edu.au}}
 | footnotes              = 
 | image                  = Charles Darwin University Crest.jpg
 | image_size             = 175px
 | caption                = [[Emblem]] of Charles Darwin University
 | former_name            = {{Collapsible list|{{ubl
 |Darwin Community College (1974–1984)<ref name="History" />
 |Darwin Institute of Technology (1985–1988)
 |Northern Territory University (1989–2003)<ref name="History" />
}}}}
 | motto                  = 
 | motto_lang             = 
 | mottoeng               = 
 | mascot                 = Charles the Crocodile{{Citation needed|reason=There is no citation for this claim in the prose.|date=March 2025}}
 | logo                   = Charles Darwin University logo.svg
}}

'''Charles Darwin University''' ('''CDU''') is an Australian [[public university]] with two campuses in [[Darwin, Northern Territory|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==
Charles Darwin University evolved through the merger of several NT-based higher education institutions.

===Darwin Community College===
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 [[Technical and further education|TAFE]] studies. 

In 1989, the institute became the Northern Territory University, offering degrees in Arts, Education, Business and Applied Science.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdu.edu.au/visiting/abouthistory.html|title=Darwin Community College|access-date=19 August 2008|work=Charles Darwin University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831063036/http://www.cdu.edu.au/visiting/abouthistory.html|archive-date=31 August 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Menzies School of Health Research===
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''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://legislation.nt.gov.au/api/sitecore/Bill/APDF?id=18360 |title=Act No. 60 of 1985 |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203022353/https://legislation.nt.gov.au/api/sitecore/Bill/APDF?id=18360 |url-status=live }}</ref> This act was amended in 2004 to formalise the relationship with Charles Darwin University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.menzies.edu.au/page/About_Us/|title=About us|access-date=3 December 2020|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130142719/https://www.menzies.edu.au/page/About_Us/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.menzies.edu.au/page/Education_and_Training/|title=Education and training|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716071949/http://www.menzies.edu.au/page/Education_and_Training/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===University College of the Northern Territory===
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 [[Cullen Bay, Darwin|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webb |first=Charles |date=2014 |title=Cdu-eventful-journey |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/sites/default/files/25th-anniversary/docs/cdu-an-eventful-journey.pdf |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705140538/https://www.cdu.edu.au/sites/default/files/25th-anniversary/docs/cdu-an-eventful-journey.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Page needed|date=August 2024}}

===Centralian College===
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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdu.edu.au/campuses/alicesprings/about.html|title=Centralian College|access-date=19 August 2008|work=Charles Darwin University|archive-date=10 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810173515/https://www.cdu.edu.au/campuses/alicesprings/about.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webb |first=Charles J. |date=2014 |title=Cdu-eventful-journey |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/sites/default/files/25th-anniversary/docs/cdu-an-eventful-journey.pdf |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=www.google.com |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705140538/https://www.cdu.edu.au/sites/default/files/25th-anniversary/docs/cdu-an-eventful-journey.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Northern Territory University===
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Place Names Register |url=https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=8143 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.ntlis.nt.gov.au}}</ref>

In 1996, Nairn was replaced by Professor [[Roger Holmes (academic)|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 (NSW)|University of Newcastle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter from the Vice Chancellor NTU {{!}} The Stone Family in Australia |url=https://www.stonefamilyinaustralia.com.au/shane_stone/archive_items/8154 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.stonefamilyinaustralia.com.au}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government |first=Northern Territory |date=2016-03-01 |title=Timeline of events |url=https://education.nt.gov.au/education-events-and-awards/nt-training-awards/history-of-the-nt-training-awards/timeline-of-events |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=education.nt.gov.au |language=en}}</ref>

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 (academic administrator)|Ken McKinnon]], was appointed.{{cn|date=September 2025}}

===Charles Darwin University===
[[Image:CDU library, Palmerston.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdu.edu.au/newsroom/stories/2003/november/leadership/index.html|title=Leadership|access-date=19 August 2008|work=Charles Darwin University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004738/http://www.cdu.edu.au/newsroom/stories/2003/november/leadership/index.html|archive-date=27 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://notes.nt.gov.au/dcm/legislat/Acts.nsf/84c76a0f7bf3fb726925649e001c03bb/cf42a28381541dd169256d82000fd2ae?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=4.1|title=Charles Darwin University Act 2003 (NT) Second Reading Speech| access-date=15 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051111180440/http://notes.nt.gov.au/dcm/legislat/Acts.nsf/84c76a0f7bf3fb726925649e001c03bb/cf42a28381541dd169256d82000fd2ae?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=4.1|archive-date=11 November 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Campuses and buildings ==
The university has its main campus in [[Casuarina, Northern Territory|Casuarina]], in Darwin’s north. In 2024, it opened the Danala campus in the Darwin's Education and Community Precinct.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danala {{!}} Education and Community Precinct {{!}} Charles Darwin University |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/locations/danala-education-community-precinct |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.cdu.edu.au |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our locations |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/locations |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Charles Darwin University |language=en |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326133223/https://www.cdu.edu.au/locations |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Governance and structure==

=== Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor ===
The current and fourth [[Chancellor (education)#Australia|chancellor]] of the university is former politician [[Paul Henderson (politician)|Paul Henderson]], inducted March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chancellor: The Honourable Paul Henderson AO|url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/chancellor|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Charles Darwin University|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501020154/https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/chancellor |archive-date=1 May 2020 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=Trevor Riley appointed as CDU Chancellor {{!}} Charles Darwin University |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/trevor-riley-appointed-cdu-chancellor |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.cdu.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

The [[vice-chancellor]] and president of the university since May 2021 is Professor [[Scott Bowman (Australian academic)|Scott Bowman]].<ref name="Bowman">{{Cite web|date=2021-02-18|title=Charles Darwin University welcomes new Vice-Chancellor and President|url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/charles-darwin-university-welcomes-new-vice-chancellor-and-president|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Charles Darwin University|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218001530/https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/charles-darwin-university-welcomes-new-vice-chancellor-and-president |archive-date=18 February 2021 }}</ref>

===Academic structure===
CDU comprises three faculties offering undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications:
* Faculty of Arts and Society
* Faculty of Health
* Faculty of Science and Technology
	
It also has CDU TAFE offering vocational education and training.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CDU TAFE {{!}} Charles Darwin University |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/tafe |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.cdu.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

== Academic profile ==
[[File:CDU courtyard, Casuarina.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CDU TAFE {{!}} Charles Darwin University |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/tafe |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.cdu.edu.au |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Zoellner 2017">{{Cite book |last=Zoellner |first=Don |title=Vocational education and training |publisher=ANU Press |year=2017 |isbn=9781760460990 |location=Australia |language=English}}</ref>

===Research divisions===
Charles Darwin University's [[research institute]]s and centres include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research institutes and centres {{!}} Charles Darwin University |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/faculties-tafe-divisions/research-institutes-centres |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.cdu.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

* Menzies School of Health Research<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.menzies.edu.au/|title=Menzies – School of Health Research|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716091745/http://www.menzies.edu.au/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 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 ===
{{Infobox Australian university ranking|QS_W==584|USNWR_W==797|type=University|CWTS_W=1248{{efn|name=a}}|CWTS_W_year=2024|QS_W_year=2026|THE_W=401–500|THE_W_year=2026|USNWR_W_year=25/26|CWTS_N=33{{efn|name=a}}|CWTS_N_year=2024|ERA_N=37|ERA_N_year=2018|QS_N=29|QS_N_year=2026|THE_N=26–32|THE_N_year=2025|USNWR_N=29|USNWR_N_year=25/26|AFR_N=36|AFR_N_year=2024}}
; National publications
In the [[Australian Financial Review|''Australian Financial Review'' Best Universities Ranking]] 2024, the university was ranked #36 amongst Australian universities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Universities Ranking |url=https://www.afr.com/lists-and-awards/best-universities-ranking |website=[[Australian Financial Review]] |publisher=[[Nine Entertainment]] |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]}}</ref>

; Global publications

In the 2026 ''[[Quacquarelli Symonds]]'' [[QS World University Rankings|World University Rankings]] (published 2025), the university attained a tied position of #584 (29th nationally).<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings |website=[[QS World University Rankings]] |publisher=[[Quacquarelli Symonds]] |language=en-GB |publication-place=[[London]], [[United Kingdom]]}}</ref>

In the [[Times Higher Education World University Rankings|''Times Higher Education'' World University Rankings]] 2026 (published 2025), the university attained a position of #401–500 (tied 26–32nd nationally).<ref>{{cite web |title=World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings |work=[[Times Higher Education]] |publisher=Inflexion |language=en-GB |publication-place=[[London]], [[United Kingdom]]}}</ref>

In the 2025–2026 [[U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking|''U.S. News & World Report'' Best Global Universities]], the university attained a tied position of #797 (29th nationally).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Global Universities Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |language=en-US |publication-place=[[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States]]}}</ref>

In the ''[[CWTS Leiden Ranking]]'' 2024,{{efn|The [[CWTS Leiden Ranking]] is based on P (top 10%).|name=a}} the university attained a position of #1248 (33rd nationally).<ref>{{Cite web |title=CWTS Leiden Ranking |url=https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2024/list |website=[[CWTS Leiden Ranking]] (Centre for Science and Technology Studies) |publisher=[[Leiden University]] |language=en |publication-place=[[Leiden]], [[Netherlands]]}}</ref>

=== Student outcomes ===
The Australian Government's QILT{{Efn|Abbreviation for Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching.<ref name="About QILT" />}} conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment.<ref name="About QILT" /> These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction<ref name="About QILT">{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/About |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224528/https://www.qilt.edu.au/About |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=[[Australian Government]] |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Canberra]], [[Australian Capital Territory]]}}</ref> rather than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.<ref name="Bridgestock 2024">{{Cite web |last=Bridgestock |first=Laura |date=19 April 2021 |title=World University Ranking Methodologies Compared |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/world-university-ranking-methodologies-compared |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224525/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/world-university-ranking-methodologies-compared |archive-date=2 January 2025 |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=[[Quacquarelli Symonds]] |language=en-GB |publication-place=[[London]], [[United Kingdom]]}}</ref>

In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, CDU graduates had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 86%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-ess-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224527/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-ess-national-report.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=[[Australian Government]] |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Canberra]], [[Australian Capital Territory]]}}</ref>

In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, CDU graduates had a full-time employment rate of 85.9% for undergraduates and 86.1% for postgraduates.<ref name="GOS Survey 2023">{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey: National Report |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-gos-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220062418/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-gos-national-report.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2024 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=[[Australian Government]] |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Canberra]], [[Australian Capital Territory]]}}</ref> The initial full-time salary was {{AUD|75000}} for undergraduates and {{AUD|90700}} for postgraduates.<ref name="GOS Survey 2023" />

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%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Student Experience Survey |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ses-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224530/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ses-national-report.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=[[Australian Government]] |language=en-AU |publication-place=[[Canberra]], [[Australian Capital Territory]]}}</ref>

=== Lecture series ===

==== Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture ====<!---redirects point to this section--->
The Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lectures were established in 1996 to commemorate the [[Wave Hill walk-off]] led by [[Gurindji people|Gurindji]] Aboriginal rights activist [[Vincent Lingiari]] in August 1966. Held annually at the [[Casuarina, Northern Territory|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.<ref>{{cite web | title=Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture | website=Charles Darwin University | url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/news-and-events/vincent-lingiari-memorial-lecture | access-date=11 September 2021 | archive-date=11 September 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911064834/https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/news-and-events/vincent-lingiari-memorial-lecture | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, [[Torres Strait Islander]] human rights campaigner [[Thomas Mayo (Indigenous Australian)|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.<ref>{{cite web | last=Collard | first=Sarah | title=Don't let 'low bar politics' hold back Indigenous voice, advocate to say in Lingiari lecture | website=The Guardian | date=25 August 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/26/dont-let-low-bar-politics-hold-back-indigenous-voice-advocate-to-say-in-lingiari-lecture | access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref>

==Student life==

=== Student demographics ===
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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdu.edu.au/media-communications/annual-reports |title=Annual reports |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129164201/https://www.cdu.edu.au/media-communications/annual-reports |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Student union ===
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,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cdulss.org/ |title=Home – CDULSS |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422070454/http://cdulss.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 ===
[[104.1 Territory FM]] is a community radio station broadcasting via an [[Australian Communications and Media Authority|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 [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB+]] digital radio platform.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

==Notable people==
{{Main list|List of Charles Darwin University people}}
* NT politician [[Loraine Braham]]
* NT politician [[James Burke (Australian politician)|James Burke]]
* NT politician [[Sue Carter]]
* NT politician and current Chief Minister [[Lia Finocchiaro]]
* NT politician and former Chief Minister [[Michael Gunner]]
* NT politician [[Lauren Moss]]
* NT politician [[Chansey Paech]]

==See also==
* [[List of universities in Australia]]

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|group=Note}}
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons and category inline}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Australian universities}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Charles Darwin University]]
[[Category:Australian vocational education and training providers]]
[[Category:Universities in the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 2003]]
[[Category:Universities in Australia]]