Three outstanding CQU Sydney International Campus postgraduate students and 2 undergraduate students recently became recipients of the Campus Director’s Leadership awards for 2006.

The award recognises the academic performance of the students and their capacity as mentors and future leaders.

Each winner stated they had thoroughly enjoyed the culturally diverse experience at CQU Sydney, which now comprises graduate and undergraduate campuses.

Prasanna Phani Kiran, a student from India, completed his Masters of Information Systems degree with CQU.

He initially chose to study in Sydney after hearing about the great IT employment opportunities on offer, and previous students recommended he try CQU.

Although facing all the difficulties of studying in a foreign country, the experience renewed his confidence and provided necessary skills for the future.

While being very successful academically, Prasanna has also gained a driver’s licence, learnt to swim and expanded his culinary skills. He intends to stay on in Sydney for a further 2 years to gain further experience in his chosen field.

Martina Bacikova from Slovakia studied a Master of Accounting degree at CQU.

She was attracted to CQU by the competitive price and the very flexible program choices. As with all the recipients, the Sydney Campus’ inner city location was a big drawcard.

Mixing with a vast array of nationalities and getting an insight into different cultures were things that Martina gained great experience from.

Like many students, Martina missed many things; being so far away from home, family, friends and her bicycle topped the list.

Although it was very difficult for her in the beginning, she overcame these challenges and obstacles and has gained strength from surviving in a foreign country.

Anuradha Biju from India completed her Master of Information Systems degree at CQU.

She was overwhelmed at first by the experience of a truly multicultural university but enjoyed being part of this experience.

It taught her a great deal about herself and helped her develop her interpersonal and academic skills.

While at CQU, she thoroughly enjoyed the accessibility and 24-hour access of the University and gained great help from the Learning Skills Unit.

Anuradha, like other recipients, faced the challenges of starting a new life in a foreign country.

She overcame these challenges and embraced much of the Australian culture, "enjoying coffee and a chat with her mates”. Anuradha is currently working with a local energy company. Her skills, knowledge and leadership qualities have been recognised through a promotion to team leader for her job.

Faisal Faisal, who is graduating from the Bachelor of Business (Management) program, has overcome many challenges to balance his study with an attempt to represent his country Iraq in the Winter Olympics in the sport of skeleton.

Faisal is a talented athlete who has had to learn lessons the hard way.

He came to CQU from another university where he admits he did not focus enough on his studies, so when he came to the Sydney Campus he was determined to do better.

He quickly found the multicultural environment at the Sydney Campus brought out the best in him.

He states that the staff were very supportive of him trying to balance his studies, training and sporting life.

Faisal enjoys trying to develop new and innovative business ideas and is currently working on a new patent which he is marketing.

Of the multicultural environment at CQU, Faisal states: “When I was invited to attend the last few days of the Torino Olympics and the closing ceremony and met the heads of the national Olympic committees, there was the same cultural diversity there as in my Uni campus and I blended in so naturally and made many friends. It felt so normal to me because of the same diversity that exists in the environment that I studied in everyday on campus at CQU".

Faisal plans to enrol in postgraduate study with CQU in the next term.

Kai Chung Ho graduated from the Bachelor of Business (Marketing) with Distinction and has been using his marketing skills by selling toys with his brother at the markets each weekend.

Coming from Hong Kong, he related to Sydney’s urban lifestyle and particularly liked the architecture.

Kai Chung states that the biggest challenge for him was overcoming problems with language and communication.

He improved his English writing with the help of the Learning Skills Unit on campus and also by speaking more with English speakers and Australians.

Kai Chung found the Australian Education system very different to his previous schooling in Hong Kong and had to learn to develop skills such as analysis, group discussion and an independent learning style to meet the course expectations.

He enjoyed the cultural diversity of the Sydney campus and has made many friends.

“I recognised that many race issues come from misunderstanding and disrespect of diversities. Our world will be peaceful if everyone starts to learn and respect the differences between each other".

Photo (above): CQU Sydney undergraduate campus director Barbara Abou-Lehaf with Faisal Faisal and Kai Chung Ho.

Photo (below): CQU Sydney postgraduate campus director Geoff Wessling (second from right) with Martina Bacikova, Prasanna Phani Kiran and Anuradha Biju.