A romantic lead in a pro-am production of 'Fiddler On The Roof' is the next career move for Cilla Slack, a recent graduate of the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) in Mackay.

Cilla, aged 23, has won the role for the production which will be staged by the Orpheus Choral from October 12-26 at the Ipswich Civic Centre.

CQU's Social Work students recently gathered to recognise achievers and to enable the 4th-years to bury a time capsule containing their aspirations, insights and messages for future students of the program.

The capsule will be opened when the current first-year students complete their final year.

Mackay Whitsunday Regional Managers Coordination Network (RMCN), in conjunction with CQU, has organised a forum at which researchers, state and local government officials, mining, tourism and building industry leaders and social welfare sector reps will meet to share experiences and look at social impacts of the boom.

The 2-day event starts on Monday August 20 at CQU Mackay.

Former Colombian software company owner and computer programming specialist Ricardo Santa was not too proud to go back to the drawing board and kick-start his learning when he migrated to Australia about 5 years ago, with his Aussie wife.

On arrival in Australia, he enrolled in TAFE, progressed to an IT degree and is now pursuing a Doctor of Business Research in the same field he once worked in - Enterprise Information Systems (EIS).

Singer Sophie Phillis is finding the 'Tosca, the technopera' project is also helping her expand her acting and writing skills.

As well as taking the lead role, the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music student has flung herself into the 'freeze-frame' acting required for the digital FX backdrops and also helped write a range of character parts, including her own.

Gratitude has brought Dr Ahmed Elgezawy to Mackay to teach Engineering.

After decades of learning and working for consultancy firms, the lecturer who moved to Australia 27 years ago had decided to give back to the country that helped pay for some of his education.

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, James Batley will be the official guest speaker at the CQU Fiji graduation ceremony next Tuesday, August 21.

Mr Batley, a career foreign service officer, joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1984.