CQUniversity's senior leaders recently visited HealthTrain, the University's newly acquired vocational education and training business based in Melbourne.

The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Uni Council members and senior executives had the opportunity while visiting the city for their August Council meeting.

The visit concluded with HealthTrain staff and a number of students joining the Uni Council and Executive for a group photo as a memento

Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman gave HealthTrain staff an overview of CQUniversity and outlined the synergy between HealthTrain's values and focus, CQUniversity's expansion into the VET sector, and its goal of becoming a great University.

HealthTrain Executive Director Dr Greg McMillan outlined to Uni Council the breadth and depth of transition activities undertaken to date and the initial engagements with other Divisions and Schools of CQUniversity, in particular the support provided from the Office of the University Secretary, Marketing and Communications and from the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Dr McMillan also outlined a number of key growth strategies for 2013 and beyond, including the expansion of programs into other health-related areas, growth into business and corporate areas and expanded delivery across other locations, starting with CQUniversity's Lonsdale Street (Melbourne) campus from early 2013.

Under the presentation theme 'HealthTrain - yesterday, today and tomorrow', Maureen Halse provided an insight into the key reasons she was enticed away from the Victorian TAFE system to develop HealthTrain's enrolled nursing program as the program co-ordinator.

A founding Director, Penny Procter provided a passionate presentation on the history, values and successes of HealthTrain since its inception in the mid-1990s. Ms Procter also discussed why the HealthTrain directors accepted CQUniversity's offer for the company shares of HealthTrain Education Services Pty Ltd. She attributed much of this to the positive relationship developed with Nik Babovic, Deputy VC (Industry and VET) and their common vision around quality vocational education and training.  

Virginia Hindell, the other founding Director, was unfortunately away due to illness, however her contribution was acknowledged as part of the presentation.  Maureen and Penny have remained on staff and will continue as an important part of HealthTrain's future development. 

CQUniversity Chancellor Rennie Fritschy provided closing remarks that re-emphasised the importance of HealthTrain's acquisition to CQUniversity's future and his appreciation on behalf of the Council for the efforts undertaken to date.

Following the presentations, a group of students joined in for a morning tea, with Council Members and the Executive staff having the opportunity to view the premises and have a general chat with staff and students.  The visit concluded with HealthTrain staff and a number of students joining the Council and Executive for a group photo as a memento of the visit.