Sydney Campus Director Award recipients Marie Slavikova, Lik Shan Chun and Faycal Ben Abdellaziz have been congratulated by Campus Director Barbara Abou-Lehaf.

Marie Slavikova began her studies in the Graduate Diploma of Information Systems Management at CQU in 2003, articulating into the Master of Information Systems. She was awarded for her high academic achievements, strong leadership qualities and her ability to respond to challenge.

Ms Slavikova said her outstanding grades were achieved through common sense.

“I always think thoroughly about a problem at hand and analyse it from all possible views before I attempt to tackle it,” she said.

Academics who taught Marie recognised her strong leadership qualities, particularly her support for members of other cultural groups. In class group activities she regularly volunteered herself as a leader and facilitator.

Ms Slavikova’s involvement in class discussion had a positive influence on other class members.

Teaching staff agreed that Marie’s motivation and persistence placed her in situations where she was able to assist other students.

Ms Slavikova\'s persistence has earned her a job as a Learning and Development Administrator for Ernst & Young, a company she deeply respects. Marie looks forward to applying what she learnt from her studies into action.

Lik Shan Chu began study at CQU in the Bachelor of Multimedia Studies in 2003, transferring credit from an art college.

Among his many outstanding attributes, Lik Shan was awarded for strong commitment to his studies and commitment to cultural diversity.

Mr Chu believes his achievements were a result of hard work.

“I didn\'t study to score high marks, I studied to the best of my abilities,” he said.

Teaching staff admired his determination and effort in seeking ways to improve his education.

Mr Chu applies this determination in all aspects of his life. When living in Malaysia he would regularly visit Petronas Twin Towers to spend time in his favourite Japanese Bookstore. He found the same and only bookstore in Sydney, where he is now employed.

His admiration and commitment for other cultures was commended by teaching staff. One academic described Lik Shan as culturally sensitive, possessing an obvious experience in mixing with people from different cultures.

Mr Chu\'s next goal is to gain a postgraduate scholarship to the United Kingdom. Eventually he would like to enter the multimedia or film industry.

Faycal Ben Abdellaziz began his studies at CQU in the Bachelor of Business Marketing in 2003, transferring credit from a business college.

Among his many achievements, Faycal was awarded for commitment to cultural diversity, contribution to campus life and creative talent and enterprise.

Mr Abdellaziz has lived in Holland, France, US and can speak six languages. He thanked his parents for being able to relate to different cultures and being open to diversity.

Staff congratulated Faycal for his ongoing support and persistence as a member of Kiwanis International. Kiwanis recently offered Faycal the opportunity to travel to East Timor to film a documentary.

“It has been such a humbling and life altering experience,” he said.

He believes there is more to contribute to the people of East Timor, particularly towards education.

Currently he is utilising his two passions, painting and photography, to create an art exhibition at the end of the year.

Proceeds from the exhibition will go towards Kiwanis. Faycal firmly believes one person can make a difference.

“Instead of waiting for others to change the world for you, why don’t you be the first person to start the chain of change?” he said.

Mr Abdellaziz has been working for the Local Government for over four years. Long-term he would like to start his own business. Currently he is continuing studies at CQU in the Master of Accounting.

Academic staff members who were involved in teaching all the recipients congratulate them and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

All recipients have been formally congratulated at CQU Graduation Ceremony.

Photo: (left to right) recipient Marie Slavikova, Campus Director Barbara Abou-Lehaf, recipients Lik Shan Chu and Faycal Ben Abdellaziz and Academic Associate Director Alison Owens.