The new Danala campus of the CDU officially opens, leading the future of education in Darwin.

On October 5th, Charles Darwin University (CDU) opened its new city campus, the Danala Education and Community Precinct (ECP), to the public. This new landmark in the heart of Darwin is not only a modern learning center for CDU but also an important cultural hub for the Darwin community.

Campus exterior view

The name Danala comes from the Larrakia language, meaning 'dillybag', symbolizing the inheritance and sharing of knowledge.

At the opening ceremony, CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman expressed his pride in the project. He stated, 'The birth of Danala is inseparable from the efforts of the Northern Territory's skilled workers, who have made significant contributions to Darwin's education and infrastructure development. This campus is not only built for the people of the Territory but also crafted by their hands.'

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman

Professor Bowman also pointed out that Danala's design fully considers Darwin's unique climate conditions and community needs. It will become an ideal place for students to learn and will also support various local activities.

Unveiling ceremony

Strong government support, promising future for the community

The Australian government provided $97.3 million in funding for this $240 million project, while the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) also offered a $126.5 million loan to support CDU's expansion and development. At the opening ceremony, the Minister for Education and Training, Jon Hersey, stated that the completion of Danala has injected new vitality into Darwin's city center. It will not only provide students with a world-class educational experience but also boost local economic development and promote the prosperity of Darwin's small businesses.

Community activity classroom on the first floor

Federal MP Luke Gosling added that the completion of CDU's new campus is not just an educational project but also an infrastructure serving the local community, creating numerous job opportunities and attracting students from across the country and around the world to study, live, and work in Darwin.

Modern facilities, creating a new learning experience

Danala ECP has three main functional areas: two floors provide office space for CDU staff, three floors are dedicated to student learning and teaching design, and two floors are open to the public, inviting the entire community to participate.

It is worth mentioning that Danala also features an integrated library, combining the collections of the CDU Library and the Northern Territory Archives Library, breaking traditional campus boundaries and truly achieving open sharing of educational resources.

Library

Starting from the upcoming summer semester, more than 15 courses, including law, accounting, information and communication technology, and software engineering, will be offered here, helping students start their careers in the most advanced educational environment.

Law class

The opening of Danala not only marks the further development of Charles Darwin University but also injects new vitality and opportunities into Darwin City. Whether local residents or students from around the world, everyone will find their own space in this modern campus, jointly welcoming a bright future for Darwin's education and community development.