CQU's Institute for Sustainable Regional Development is a major sponsor and co-host for this year's Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia conference.

SEGRA will be held from September 5–7 in Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast region.

A trial audit will be conducted this month as part of CQU’s preparation activities for the AQUA Audit later this year.

A panel of three experienced AUQA auditors have agreed to conduct the trial audit and a Trial Performance Portfolio has been recently submitted to them.

More than 50 new Faculty of Informatics and Communication students were treated to a free sausage sizzle last Thursday during the week-long Orientation celebrations.

Infocom Public Relations Coordinator Amanda Murphy said everyone enjoyed themselves.

Students had the opportunity to win prizes like a return flight to Brisbane or one of four printers donated by local Rockhampton businesses, during the Faculty of Informatics and Communication Funny Money Auction last week. The concept behind the auction was to provide added incentive for first year students to attend the informative O' Week sessions scheduled throughout the week such as ‘What do I need to know? What do I need to do?’, ‘Success is all about time’ and specific program information sessions.

Central Highlands stalwart Cr Paul Bell AM has been awarded with an Honorary Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

The degree was awarded during last weekend\'s (Feb 26) CQU Rockhampton graduations.

Four of the five $2000 entry scholarships encouraging students to undertake study in information, communication and technology fields awarded by CQU's Faculty of Informatics and Communication went to female students.

Among the recipients were Rockhampton students Sophie Jackson, recipient of the Women in Information Technology Scholarship, Suzannah Baker, recipient of the CQU Connections IT scholarship and Christopher Hudson, Julie-Anne Scott and Zeena Vessey, who were awarded CQU Continuing Scholarships.

As part of a new initiative encouraging students to undertake study in information, communication and technology fields, Central Queensland University's Faculty of Informatics and Communication has awarded its 2005 entry scholarships.

Among the recipients were Bundaberg students Peter Feerick and Crystal-Rose Jones, recipients of the CQU Connection IT Scholarships, Daniel Perry, winner of the Dean's Award for Excellence in Communication & Cultural Studies, and Maximilian Fleet who was awarded a CQU Continuing Scholarship.

CQU Mackay’s new students packed into the Conservatorium of Music auditorium for the opening ceremony on the first day of Orientation Week.

Community leader and special guest speaker Greg Williamson presented a comical, yet inspirational talk that had students laughing and intrigued as he made references to well-known characters such as Winston Churchill, Atillah the Hun and Walt Disney.

Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, who graduated with a PhD from CQU last Saturday (Feb 26), grew up in the mining town of Tieri and is now specialising in the area of environmental education.

She is the youngest of six children and the first to attend and graduate from university (in 1999).

CQU's new Emerald Campus location is a vote of confidence in the local community, according to Federal Member for Maranoa Hon Bruce Scott.

Mr Scott made this comment while officially opening the new campus, which is now co-located with the Emerald Agricultural College on the Capricorn Highway (having moved last year from its shared location with the Central Highlands College of TAFE).