President Obama's current visit to Australia is another positive factor for Australia's tourism industry, following high-profile visits by Oprah and Bill Clinton, and the memorable 'Shrimp on the Barbie' campaign by Paul ‘Hoges' Hogan.

That's according to CQUniversity Tourism senior lecturer Steve Noakes, who had first-hand experience of Bill Clinton's visit to Port Douglas in 1996.

Investment in major new resort and gaming products in Asia continues to increase rapidly as emerging mega-markets such as China and India are seeking high quality tourism experiences.

According to senior lecturer in Tourism at CQUniversity Steve Noakes, this remarkable growth will see the generation of thousands of new job opportunities for tourism management graduates of Australian universities.

Queensland has plenty to gain by boosting cooperation among providers, as international students may wish to experience ‘lifestyle' study locations along the coast as well as city and rural campuses, while moving seamlessly between vocational and tertiary programs.

That's according to CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman, who has accepted an invitation to join the new Study Queensland Industry Council.

Residents have an opportunity to get involved with CQUniversity's future as the Rockhampton Regional Engagement Committee is currently recruiting new members.

CQUniversity is keen to hear from people willing to make an active and committed contribution, on an honorary basis, to help it become Australia's most engaged University.

Kevin Erickson will soon arrive at CQUniversity Gladstone as a PhD researcher, focusing on Australia's efforts to ensure imported marine ornamental animals, algae and seagrasses do not establish a permanent wild foothold.

While itself impressive, the fact he's coming as the recipient of a 2012 Endeavour Postgraduate Award is not necessarily the most interesting aspect of his life.

Free training in soil management and fertigation (fertilisation through irrigation) is available for eligible people, thanks to Disaster Recovery Funding from the Queensland Rural Industry Training Council.

This accredited training is being provided through a partnership between the Australian Agricultural College Corporation and CQUniversity's Centre for Plant & Water Science.

CQUniversity's Professor Brenda Happell is among Australia's top nursing academics, according to a detailed analysis of research publications.

The analysis of research citations published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing includes a special index where a score between 10 and 14 indicates an ‘excellent publication record'.

CQUniversity sleep and fatigue specialist Associate Professor Naomi Rogers has been announced as President Elect of the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR).

Dr Rogers was ASMR's first ever director elected from outside a capital city, in the organisation's 50-year history.

CQUniversity has welcomed its latest endorsement from the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), as it prepares to deliver the Bachelor of Psychology program on campus in Bundaberg for the first time.

Health and Human Services Dean Professor Andy Bridges, who is based at Bundaberg, says this accreditation "recognises the quality of our Psychology programs and the staff who support them".

Sally Smith is an all-round performer, winning prizes for legal studies, music, maths B and biology and being named as Dux of Rockhampton High School.

She got a nice surprise recently when former RHS student Anna Farmer, who is now a legal academic, returned to the school to present her legal studies prize.