Debate decides that the best could be better
Published on 02 December, 2009
A recent CQUniversity Engineering breakfast debate has decided that graduates from its program are the best engineers for our region.
The debate was a light-hearted look at the University's Engineering program and where it is heading in the future, with both debate teams peppered with CQU Engineering graduates.
Back L to R - Dr Fae Martin, Keith Fullard, Kim Martin, Assoc Prof David Jorgensen; Front L to R - Tony Loveday, Caitie Wilson and Dr Steven Senini.The morning event gave industry leaders, school administrators and staff members the chance to make contact and reflect on the issues facing the engineering sector.
The event also gave participants an opportunity to meet the new Acting Dean of the Faculty Professor Kerry Mummery who spoke about his family connections with engineering – Kerry’s brother and sister-in-law are both engineers in his native Canada.
Despite a strong argument that our graduates are the best because of the program structure that includes Co-op learning in overseas work placements, a virtual zero unemployment level of graduates and a starting salary that is among the highest in the country; it was the negative team's argument that won the day.
Speakers Tony Loveday and Dr Steven Senini from Ergon Energy and Caitie Wilson from Paragon Consulting argued that while the CQUniversity program was excellent they were't convinced it was the best (as per the dictionary definition) when compared to other universities from all over the world.
The defining moment came when the negative team asked the audience to consider that if CQUniversity graduates were the best, then as graduates themselves they must have the best argument and a negative result would confirm that.
The audience agreed and then voted that the best were not the best but better than staff and industry members who thought they were the best - a confusing moment for all.
But all agreed that our undergraduate engineering program produces graduates fully capable of meeting the growing demands of our region.
To watch the debate on-line visit the CQUniversity Engineering website here.