STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) might sound a bit dry, but the stories behind the program are likely to create a moist eye or two.

That's according to Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard, one of the speakers for the STEPS 20th anniversary celebrations at CQU Rockhampton last Friday (Nov 3).

Business and Informatics lecturer Eric Holm presented a paper at the 'Going Virtual – The Future of Work' conference on behalf of Central Queensland University.

Mr Holm addressed industry leaders in organisations such as Alcatel Australia, Nortel Asia-Pacific, Siemens Business Services, Germany, World Vision and government on the growing emergence of computer crime.

Almost 100 students attended CQU's Singapore graduation yesterday (Thursday, November 9).

The Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor both attended the ceremony at the Orchard Parade Hotel.

CQU Human Movements Science graduate Cameron Jennings, the most recent Rockhampton cyclist to receive a professional contract, will be doing a presentation for the local sporting community about his experiences of what it takes to get to that level in sport.

Cameron's presentation is called 'Living the Dream - what it takes to make the journey from amateur to professional athlete'.

Professional services firms can identify the best clients to nurture to encourage positive word of mouth referrals, cross-selling and up-selling.

That is according to CQU researcher Angela Dobele, who is looking forward to graduating with a PhD on word-of-mouth referrals from Southern Cross University early in 2007.

The Central Queensland University (CQU) Toastmasters Club is set to host a conference of the six Mackay and District Toastmasters Clubs on Saturday the 4th November at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) theatre.

Toastmasters is an international organisation that helps people learn the arts of better speaking, listening and thinking which ultimately build leadership and communication skills.

This month 14 students from Mackay district primary schools turned their hands to the multimedia labs of Central Queensland University (CQU) Mackay to see what life is like for people who engage in the digital media industry for a living.

Hundreds of nominations were received by Education Queensland for the Days of Excellence workshops in which students could participate in real-world activities or master classes.

Oxygen deficiency (hypoxia) in the soil is one of the major bottlenecks for crop production when the soil is saturated, compacted and saline, especially in the heavy clay soil.

Aeration of the crop root zone can alleviate the problem associated with hypoxia and, therefore, improve plant performance.

Townsville has beaten Rockhampton in the City of Origin 10,000 Steps challenge, but organisers point out that all participants are winners on the better health front.

In the crucial battle for the best average steps per head of population, Townsville recorded 2388 against Rockhampton's 2075.

PhD research candidate Sohail Qureshi has recently represented CQU Plant Sciences Group at a major entomological event.

He was one of 39 students among 191 delegates to attend the Australian and New Zealand Entomological Societies Conference in Adelaide.