Former Brisbane Lord Mayor, Sallyanne Atkinson AO, will be official guest speaker at the Central Queensland University Brisbane and Gold Coast international campuses' graduation this week.

About 129 graduates will attend the ceremony at the Presidential Ballroom, Carlton Crest Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane, on Wednesday, May 18 from 2pm. Chancellor Rennie Fritschy and Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard will take part.

Graduate nationalities include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Czech Republic, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

This year’s Campus Director’s Awards will be presented to Chin Meng Tang, Edy Sudarmono, Masato Matsukawa and Kung-Chieh Tsuei. Graduate Deepti Anand will deliver the closing address.

A Phd will be presented to Sandra Sytsma for her thesis titled 'Changing Meaning - The Leading Way'. A PhD will also be presented to Bronwyn Fredericks for her thesis titled 'Us Speaking about Women’s Health: Aboriginal women’s perceptions and experiences of health, well-being, identity, body and health services'.

During the proceedings, CQU will present The Honourable Vince Lester with the award of Companion of the University. The award allows the University to publicly recognise the achievements of individuals in the community and/or the university.

Mr Lester was chosen in recognition of his many years of distinguished service as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Queensland and as a staunch supporter of the University.

--ENDS--.

For further details contact Havinah Linganna on (07) 3295 1128 or email h.linganna@bris.cqu.edu.au .