Melbourne 27 November -- Central Queensland University was presented with the IDP Education Exporter of the Year Award, a national award for international education, during a ceremony (Tuesday evening) in Melbourne. The Prime Minister, John Howard, was special guest at the awards ceremony.

CQU Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Glenice Hancock, assured the Prime Minister that "CQU and other finalists [were] committed to making [his] life easier by making Education contribute to multicultural understanding and peace and harmony in the world.".

"The award addressed thousands of CQU staff and students and the wonderful support that Queensland government is giving to the export of Education," explained Vice Chancellor Hancock, who described the announcement as "mind blowing.".

Central Queensland University is a national model for higher education, now truly recognised as a national centre for excellence based in regional Queensland. The award is a measurement of the strengths of CQU staff and students and the diversity of the communities CQU serves.

. Almost 9000 international students from 99 countries are enrolled at Rockhampton-based Central Queensland University, making it the university with the highest percentage of international students - 47%.

The University reached the national finals of the Australian Export Awards by winning its category of the Premier of Queensland's Export Awards 2002. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glenice Hancock said CQU's ability to tap into the global knowledge economy was a unique story of export success for regional Australia.

CQU was Australia's first multicampus network. Its campuses and learning facilities are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and through regional Queensland, and offshore in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Fiji, and around the globe by distance education.

Broad study options are taken up by both in-country and offshore by CQU students. Half of CQU students learn in distance mode using tools like the web, video-conferencing and other e-learning methods.

Director of CQU International, Kathy Ramm said international students were attracted to the University because of innovative programs, flexible delivery methods and sustainable models of partnering with educational services.

"Students from India, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia often want to live and study in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne while those from North America and Europe are mostly based in Rockhampton, which also gives them access to our regional campuses of Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone and Mackay." .

Other national finalists were the University of Canberra , Insearch UTS, Flinders University, Melbourne University Private and Phoenix English Language Academy (WA).

Pictured: Back Row: Deputy Vice Chancellor Eric Laakso, Deputy Vice Chancellor Kevin Fagg, CQU International Dean Debbie Clayton, Associate Dean Teaching & Learning Kevin Tickle, Professor Ken Hawkins (GM, Australia and International Campuses), Mr Mark Skinner (Chairman of Campus Group Holdings) Front Row: Rennie Fritschy, CQU Council Member, PM John Howard, CQU Vice Chancellor and President Glenice Hancock