Australia's IDP Education Exporter of the Year, Central Queensland University this week conducted graduation ceremonies for around 1600 students from more than 30 different countries.

Around 540 students from 23 countries were invited to a CQU ceremony in Melbourne today, Tuesday, May 20. About 250 of the graduates, including those from CQU’s Melbourne International Campus, attended the ceremony at the Grand Hyatt to hear from guest speaker Ivan Deveson AO, a former Melbourne Lord Mayor and automotive and television executive.

Around 270 graduates from 20 countries were invited to a CQU ceremony in Brisbane tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21. More than 100 of the graduates, including those from CQU’s Brisbane and Gold Coast International Campuses, attended the ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel to hear from guest speaker Sir Frank Moore AO, Chairman of the Federal Government’s Tourism Forecasting Council.

The graduates also witnessed the conferrals of honorary Doctor of Education degrees on Cyril Connell (long-serving educator, education manager and sports representative) and Robin Sullivan (the Queensland Commissioner for Children and Young People). Former senior CQU staff member Leo Bartlett was made an Emeritus Professor of the University.

More than 800 students from 30 countries were invited to a CQU ceremony in Sydney on Thursday, May 22. Almost 400 of the graduates, including those from CQU’s Sydney International Campus, attended the ceremony at Sydney Town Hall to hear from guest speaker Dr Vijoleta Braach-Maksvytis, the Co-Director of CSIRO Nanotechnology and head of Australia’s Office of Chief Scientist.

CQU is the current holder of the IDP Australian Education Export Award, and thus a significant contributor to Australia’s education export earnings ($4.2 billion in 2002).