Charles Darwin University is urging the next Northern Territory government to implement a raft of policies to improve the health, well-being and economic prosperity of First Nations people.

The university wrote to the Members of the Legislative Assembly ahead of the NT election on August 24, outlining 22 policy requests for the future government in the Top End to deliver, which include measures on First Nations leadership, housing and economic growth.

The list from the university features ongoing funding of the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education Program; installing a Chief Scientist for the NT; creating a Traditional Uses Forest in Katherine; developing a pilot plant for Northern Australia Food Technology and Innovation; supporting rural placement scholarships for allied health students in the NT; and developing a campus in the Alice Springs CBD.

Under First Nations Leadership, the university wants to see an expansion of the Bidjipidji Program – a four-night residential program designed to provide Indigenous students in years 10, 11 and 12 with an opportunity to experience campus life at CDU.

It also wants to see an extension of their pre-programs which target mature-aged First Nations students from across the Northern Territory and interstate.

The university has also asked the NT government to commit to a review of regional planning, which includes a strong element of scientific advice, and embeds preliminary consultation with First Nations, community, industry and government stakeholders.

CDU Deputy Vice-Chancellor of First Nations Leadership and Engagement, Professor Reuben Bolt, said the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education Program had made a real difference in the lives of First Nations students.

"That's a program that had been in place for some time and there had been a hiatus for three years, so for us to be able to run that again is really important," Professor Bolt told National Indigenous Times.

"It makes a real difference because it's something the community has asked for.

"We had eight graduates last year and several more this year."

Professor Bolt said the university had to overcome several challenges with several students studying remotely.

He said some of the students had never previously used a computer.

"The key thing is about engagement, because a lot of students might not check their emails and if you're in a remote community and you've got a lack of internet access it's going to be hard to do that," he said.

"Last year there was a mature student from the RATE (Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education Program) who sent an email for the first time.

"We have our lecturers go out and deliver on country which makes a big difference. It's about having the appropriate programs in place and the services, so students feel culturally safe, and they need to feel they belong to the university community."

Professor Bolt was confident the Traditional Uses Forest in Katherine would get off the ground.

"There's already a water license we have in place for it's just a matter of captialising on that and engaging with the appropriate people Traditional Owners in that venture," he said.

CDU vice-chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the requests would allow the university to support the training, degree education, and research needs of the NT and its people.

"We have always been a university of and for the Territory, and we believe these 22 policy requests will help Charles Darwin University to continue to be for the Territory," he said.

"Education underpins progress. Charles Darwin University is one of the most important universities in Australia and if we're to achieve our goal of creating positive intergenerational, societal, scientific, and economical change, we must seize the types of opportunities listed in our Call to Action."

Professor Bowman thanked the current NT government for its support of First Nations initiatives, which includes $2 million in the recent state budget for the Remote Aboriginal Teacher program.

The program enables residents, particularly First Nations women, to pursue a teaching career in school and early childhood care.

He also praised the Lawler government for supporting 40 Commonwealth-supported student places at CDU's Menzies Medical program.

"For years a locally run medical program was considered too difficult and out of reach," Professor Bowman said.

"The University worked hard to challenge this notion and make this aspiration a reality.

"The CDU Menzies Medical Program will drive invaluable change in the Northern Territory, and existing initiatives such as the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education program are profoundly impacting our communities.

"We want to continue to create this kind of impact with the remaining policy requests."