Jessica Sharp from Noosa is a bubbly girl who makes the most of all opportunities in life and studying at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) in Mackay is one that she is grasping with both hands.

"Since I've been at CQCM I have performed more than ever.

Robert Sanders of Cairns has just finished his degree at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) in Mackay and over the last 3 years has had plenty of exposure to life as a professional musician.

"Thanks to the unique situations like studying on Hamilton Island which we do 4 times a year, I've been exposed to the professional industry in a really practical way.

Atherton musician Josh Marshall has found his jazz classroom can be quite a liberating experience, thanks to the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music's relationship with Hamilton Island.

Recently completing his first year at the CQCM in Mackay, Josh has had the opportunity to study under some jazz greats at the island, where students study and play in various entertainment venues up to 4 times a year.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Hail Creek Mine has formed a strategic partnership with CQU Mackay in a bid to help counter the skills shortage.

The 2 organisations are offering to fund 7 scholarships to encourage local people of all ages to undertake undergraduate programs at CQU Mackay.

Lorna Harth always had an "unquenchable thirst for learning" and was an avid reader but looking after 7 children tended to dominate her priorities.

That was until she saw her own daughter - now aged 22 - graduate with a Nursing degree from CQU in 2005.

To develop immediate tertiary and further education solutions to mining skills shortages, Central Queensland University has been working with the Queensland Resources Council and a number of mining companies to implement and support work integrated learning.

From this co-ordinated effort CQU has developed three Associate Degree programs that allow students to work and study at the same time (see table for program information).

Former Indian research student Ajay Krishnamurthy is now at CQU Rockhampton, where his PhD studies focus on the pathogenesis and bacteria-bacteria relationships in middle ear infection.

It's a recognition of the huge potential health benefits from his fundamental work - particularly for children - that he has been announced as sole recipient of a Postgraduate Travel Award to attend and present at a major international conference.