Beef Australia 2003 opened doors for Central Queensland University Rockhampton marketing students to work with professional data analysts during the week-long event.

Chris Hunn of Brisbane based company, Strategic Facts, recruited the undergraduate marketing students to collect data on Beef Australia 2003.

Marketing and Tourism lecturer, Jim Callan was pleased that the students had a chance to use their studies in a field environment under professional supervision.

He planned to give students academic credit for their work as part of the Marketing Research Techniques course being undertaken this semester.

Mr Callan was part of a public relations focus group that met prior to Beef Week to brainstorm various projects the University could use to generate publicity and educational opportunities for the organisation.

One project involved students of Taranganba State School near Yeppoon who studied information kits on Beef Week for a battle of the brains.

Upper primary students used the Zing Technology System to study the kits leading up to Beef Week.

The faculties of Business & Law, Education & Creative Arts, and Informatics & Communication, are currently researching Zing, which is a learning support system that relies on group participation.

“Taranganba State School used the Zing Technology System to conduct Beef Week competitions, which were supported by the CQU research program,” Mr Callan said.

Other projects organised by the focus group included a Brand a Beast initiative to raise money for the CQU Foundation, using the Beef Australia 2003 website to publish students’ work, and various research projects monitoring aspects of the beef industry.

The gala event generated many opportunities for CQU to showcase the talents of students from varying backgrounds and the focus group aimed to put CQU’s name and participants into the spotlight of Beef Australia 2003.