2012 Tertiary Open Day in Canberra

All five tertiary institutions in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) held their Open Day on Saturday August 25 in order for the public to gain information on courses, campuses and lifestyles.

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) – ‘Your future starts here’ – is open to students from all beliefs and backgrounds. Over 20,000 students are enrolled across ACU’s six campuses in Brisbane, North Sydney, Strathfield, Melbourne, Ballarat and Canberra. The Canberra Campus (Signadou) has undergraduate and postgraduate study in education, nursing, social work and theology (acu.edu.au).

The University of Canberra (UC) – ‘Australia's Capital University’ – received the maximum five-star rating for both getting a job and graduate outcomes in the latest Good Universities Guide (canberra.edu.au).

The Australian National University (ANU) – ‘Where would you like to learn?’ – is situated centrally in the nation’s capital at the Acton campus. It has a unique learning environment, much like a living town, with shops, cafes, a medical centre and sporting facilities (info.anu.edu.au).

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is the region’s largest vocational education and training provider with over 400 courses ranging from traineeships and apprenticeships, through to diplomas and degrees (cit.edu.au).

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra – provides hands-on leadership training from the Navy, Army and Air Force (openday.adfa.edu.au).

I attended the ADFA Open Day which held a range of activities, displays, and demonstrations such as the Navy helicopter, Army field tactics, physical training exercises, abseiling and rock climbing, the ADFA band, the ADFA marching band, RAAF Roulettes aerial display (aeroplanes), RAAF military working dogs display, cross fit demonstration, water polo, fencing, Navy clearance divers (in a dive tank), military vehicles, field equipment and weapons, military clothing, inflatable boat display, special forces display, an academy built racing car, and much more.

Defence and University staff provided careers and course information. ADFA Navy Midshipmen and Army and Air Force Officer Cadets were also available to talk to about life at ADFA.

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