Melbourne law firm partner and bank director David Lurie will attend the Central Queensland University Melbourne International Campus graduation as the official guest speaker, next Tuesday, May 17.

Mr Lurie will inspire the new graduates to strive for excellence in their careers.

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor, Sallyanne Atkinson AO, will be official guest speaker at the Central Queensland University Brisbane and Gold Coast international campuses' graduation this week.

About 129 graduates will attend the ceremony at the Presidential Ballroom, Carlton Crest Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane, on Wednesday, May 18 from 2pm.

Former long-serving parliamentarian Vince Lester will be made a Companion of the University at a graduation ceremony in Brisbane.

Mr Lester will be presented with his award in front of 129 new CQU graduates from the CQU Brisbane and Gold Coast international campuses on Wednesday, May 18.

Senior IT industry member Dr Paul Campbell told of the troubles facing the ICT industry at the Faculty of Informatics and Communication Australian Computer Society presentation this week.

The presentation ‘The Queensland IT Industry – Now and the future’ outlined the commercial and political environment for the ICT industry, the pressures the industry faces, trends and skills that will be in demand in the future.

The 6th Annual Asahi, Meikai & Central Queensland Universities' Japanese Speaking Festival will be held at the Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel this Saturday May 14.

Contestants will come from local secondary schools as well as from secondary schools throughout the state.

CQU staff member David Downer has kindly donated an artwork (pictured above) valued at around $700 to be raffled to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

The CQU-based Conga Against Cancer Relay for Life team will draw the raffle next Monday, so there are still a few days left to buy tickets.

Central Queensland University-based Rail CRC, the Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies, has made a significant move this month to address the education shortcomings in the Australian railway industry, announcing an inaugural Understanding Rail course for rail managers.

According to Rail CRC Chief Executive Professor Dudley Roach (pictured), the course, to be staged in partnership with the Australasian Railway Association, will give managers and others new to the railway industry a comprehensive overview of the operational, technical and business setting of today’s increasingly competitive rail environment.

CQU Mackay Campus celebrated National Heart Week with a visit from specialists in the field.

Fiona Lynch, Dietician; Jane O’Shannessy, Cardiac Rehabilitation Officer at the Mater, and Medical Student Corinne Ryan, advised CQU staff and students on the importance of preventing heart disease.

Central Queensland University has hosted a commemorative breakfast on campus to celebrate International Nurses Day on Thursday, May 12.

Nurses from throughout the region were invited to attend the function at the Senior Common Room, Capricornia College – the University’s residential college.

A recent PhD graduate is optimistic that his 20-year documentary study shows that concerted affirmative environmental action can make a visible difference to an ailing natural entity over time.

Dr Ashley Holmes was awarded a PhD Visual Arts (Major Studio Project) from the University of South Australia for a thesis entitled, “Bridging Adelaide 2001: photography and hyperimage; hyperreality and the documentary” on April 15, 2004.