CQU students picnic with the Minister of Education Four CQU students from the Brisbane International campus recently attended an Aussie Picnic Lunch with the Honourable Anna Bligh MP, Minister of Education, on the Speaker’s Green of Parliament House in Brisbane.

The event was organised by the Office of Higher Education as an opportunity for the Minister to meet with and welcome international students to Queensland. The first Ministerial Welcome was held in 1998 and has continued as an annual event, with the Premier’s enthusiastic endorsement of it as an opportunity to recognise the valuable social, economic and cultural roles that international students play during their stay in Queensland.

The highlight of the day for student Albert Lai -- apart from the great food -- was the International Trivia Quiz. Albert said that the quiz was “a fun way to discover a bit about Australian history, culture and background.”.

Lasting impressions were certainly created. “[I was] mpressed to be that close to a Minister of the Government. This would not happen for me in my home country, Malaysia. It was a great pleasure for me.”.

CQU students said the event demonstrated Queensland’s appreciation of, and an interest in, the cultural and social contribution that international students make to the State.

Students and representatives from Queensland’s other eight universities also attended. .

-- submitted by Ray Scarlett .

Picture: Albert Lai, from Malaysia; Anna Silva, fromVenezuela; June Fan, from China; Minister of Education, Anna Bligh MP; and Gloria Zhao from China