A Rockhampton forensic science researcher is developing portable electrochemical devices that will detect illicit drugs and explosives.

Central Queensland University's Trent Pohlmann has begun a 3 to 4-year PhD project that aims to produce a device that will help target the illicit substance abuse epidemic and the threat of terrorism globally.

Dozens of CQU staff members at all levels of the organisation have thrown their support behind the Queensland Resource Expo, to be held in Rockhampton from May 23-26.

Helping to champion CQU's role have been Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard and Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean Professor Elizabeth Taylor AO.

More than 560 students from 38 nations are expected to attend 2 graduation ceremonies for the Central Queensland University Sydney International Campus on Wednesday, May 9.

It will be the 28^th ceremony for undergraduate students (3pm) at the campus and the 27^th ceremony held for postgraduate students (11am).

What do Australian television comedy, relative efficiencies of university business departments and learning environments used by students in a first-year university course have in common?

Not much - other than they were the subject matter of 3 thesis projects successfully completed by CQU Bundaberg staff members celebrating their graduation this week.

Graduating today are Christine Woodland, Donna Carpenter and Dr Wendy Davis.

Newly-arrived CQU researcher Vimolwan Yukongdi has the right sort of background to challenge notions that academic concepts about human beings are universal, since Australia is only one of 9 countries she has lived in.

Ms Yukongdi's research will reveal important nuances underlying 'textbook' approaches to Human Resource Management, since it looks at how things are different for women managers in various Asian economies, taking into account individual, organisational and societal factors.

The first Australian stage production based on Disney's popular 'High School Musical' movie has been a sold-out success, with audiences flocking to the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) Theatre in Mackay last weekend.

Bachelor of Music Theatre students provided 7 sold-out shows to a total of 1400 people over 3 days in the small but fully functional CQCM Theatre.

Irrigation plays a pivotal role in Australian primary industries but current irrigation methods such as furrow and flood are not very efficient.

They suffer from huge loss of water and environmental concerns associated with runoff and contamination to other water bodies.

Health workers throughout Central Queensland now have less need to travel to Brisbane for their professional development, thanks to a new service from CQU.

The University has started a Professional Nursing and Continuing Education Centre, which aims to provide monthly courses delivered by specialists in a variety of fields.