A total of 221 graduates enjoyed this week's (May 6) CQU Melbourne International Campus graduation ceremony, featuring an address by prominent writer, lawyer, journalist and teacher Alice Pung*.

The ceremony was held in the Palladium Ballroom Crown Towers at Southbank and included graduates representing 22 different nationalities. It featured several musical performances by Martin Lane.

Alice Pung

Chancellor Rennie Fritschy and Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard officiated. Chung Wei Hoon was chosen to deliver the response by the graduates' representative.

Students from 25 nations enjoy Sydney graduation  

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 *Alice Pung BA, LLB(Hons) Melbourne, is a writer, lawyer, journalist and teacher. She is also the recipient of the 2007 Australian Book Industry Award winner and Australian Newcomer of the Year. She has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and currently practises in Employment and Industrial Relations law. Alice is also a tutor of political science at Ormond College at the University of Melbourne. Born in Australia of Chinese-Cambodian background, she has direct experience and understanding of cultural diversity and the challenges facing migrant families adjusting to life in Australia. Her first book Unpolished Gem, reflecting her experience growing up in the multi-cultural western suburbs of Melbourne, won the 2007 Australian Book Industry, Newcomer of the Year Award and was also nominated for the Victorian and New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. Her writing is been regularly studied in secondary schools and universities nationally. Alice has a deep passion and empathy for youth issues and has delighted readers with her touching and universal themes. She is frequently invited to speak in radio forums, at conferences and to students at a wide range of institutions.  Alice is also a regular writer for various newspapers, magazines and other publications.