Skip to content
Education Training

Program to attract school student into university expands to the NT’s regions

Charles Darwin University 2 mins read

A Charles Darwin University (CDU) program helping to guide high school students into tertiary education is expanding to Katherine, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy.  

Applications are open for CDU’s Aspire program, which supports, guides and encourages high school students to pursue higher education by introducing them to university life, pathways and support to set and achieve academic goals.

From next year the program will be expanded to CDU’s Katherine and Alice Springs campuses and Nhulunbuy centre, as well as continuing in Darwin and Palmerston.

Students are welcomed to CDU’s campuses and participate in coaching, workshops, and faculty activities, meet academics, staff and Aspire alumni.

Aspire Program Officer Louise Turner said the team was excited to bring the experiences, information and guidance of Aspire to more Territory students.

“Aspire is about exposing students to university and breaking down those barriers towards higher education,” Ms Turner said.

“It’s about building self-confidence, resilience, and awareness so they have a better understanding of themselves and their own strengths to take pathways into higher education.

“We are so excited to work in the regions, showcase the phenomenal campuses and their resources.”

Students who participate in the program have access to a $1000 scholarship per annum in Year 11 and Year 12. The funds can be put towards school fees, tutoring, course, and study materials and more.

Students who graduate from the Aspire program and enrol at CDU are also eligible to apply for a $10,000 scholarship.

Ms Turner said a key focus of the program was showcasing the opportunities for students to pursue higher education locally.

“We want our young people to stay in the Northern Territory and use their knowledge and wisdom to better and shape the Territory,” she said.

“We encourage students to stay here, study here and go out into the workforce and be amazing human beings.”

The program has supported students enrolling in nursing, business, and arts qualifications at CDU.

Applications for the Aspire program close on October 31.


Contact details:

Raphaella Saroukos she/her
Communications Officer
Marketing, Media & Communications
Larrakia Country
T: +61 8 8946 6721
E: [email protected]
W: cdu.edu.au

Media

More from this category

  • Education Training, General News
  • 20/06/2025
  • 08:57
Charles Darwin University (CDU)

CDU rises in 2026 QS World University Rankings, bucking national trend

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has climbed to 584 in the prestigious 2026 QS World University Rankings – a marked improvement from its position in…

  • Contains:
  • Education Training, Union
  • 20/06/2025
  • 07:13
National Tertiary Education Union

Broken university governance needs urgent reform after unprecedented federal intervention

The National Tertiary Education Union has urged the federal government to overhaul Australia’s broken university governance system following an unprecedented intervention by the Education Minister. Jason Clare has referred serious governance concerns at ANU to regulator TEQSA, after staff passed a no-confidence motion in Vice Chancellor Genevieve Bell and Chancellor Julie Bishop over a litany of failings. While the government holds special powers over ANU – due to its foundation in federal law – new national and state legislation is urgently needed to fix governance failures across the rest of the higher education sector. NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes…

  • Education Training, Union
  • 19/06/2025
  • 10:21
National Tertiary Education Union

Union scores major win for secure jobs at the University of Melbourne

Casual and fixed-term contract staff at the University of Melbourne will be prioritised for permanent jobs ahead of external applicants in a major win for workers. The National Tertiary Education Union's recent win in the Fair Work Commission will force the university to overhaul its hiring practices and meet its obligations to create real pathways to secure jobs for precariously employed staff. The Commission has found that the university breached its enterprise agreement, negotiated by NTEU and voted up by staff last year,by forcing internal candidates on casual and fixed-term contracts to directly compete against external applicants for permanent roles.…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.