CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor & President Scott Bowman, in a conversation with CQUniversity Rockhampton staff this week, presented 2-year, 5-year and 10-year goals for the University....

These goals would build on the capabilities and capacities of the University and its Central Queensland operations based on strategies that would leverage what Professor Bowman described as CQUniversity's "power of place".

Professor Scott Bowman

"We have to use our geographical location to our best advantage over the coming years to strengthen our links with industry, develop new programs, and fully serve the needs of local communities," Professor Bowman said to about 300 employees on Monday (August 3).

Steps would be taken immediately, according to Professor Bowman.

"We must work now, starting today, on the sustainability of CQUniversity and we'll do that by refreshing courses, investing in new programs and putting strategies in place that will attract more full-time students to our Central Queensland and other campuses," Professor Bowman explained.

A foundation member and past President of the Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance, Professor Bowman said that universities can and should provide solutions to issues that are specific to the students they serve and communities in which they operate.

Staff members welcome the new VC

The Vice-Chancellor predicted that CQUniversity would be a strong multi-city regional university within 5 years, with Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg and Gladstone developing more fully as local ‘universities' in their own right, with identifiable strengths and exclusive programs; and Noosa and Emerald locations enhancing their roles as study centres for local students.

"In 10 years, CQUniversity will be known as one of Australia's great universities and as an employer of choice in the sector," he said.

Professor Bowman, who will visit CQUniversity campuses and learning sites this month, said he would engage widely "with all sections" of the community. He described Central Queensland as a region full of the spirit of independence, innovation and entrepreneurialism.

"Those characteristics are at the heart of CQUniversity and its graduates and they will be at the heart of how we operate and what we do across the whole organisation," he said.

Professor Bowman, 46, was formerly James Cook University's Pro Vice-Chancellor Corporate and Commercial, PVC Academic Planning and Development and DVC International and Engagement. He has held numerous academic and university management positions in the UK and Australia, serving in various capacities at Charles Sturt University and the University of South Australia since the early 1990s. He started at CQUniversity on August 3 as the University's 5^th Vice-Chancellor and the organisation's 7^th Chief Executive.