CQU Melbourne International Campus was buzzing with excitement when 120 international students, overseas dignitaries and campus management personnel celebrated the inauguration of the CQU Kiwanis Club of Young Professionals.

Since the 21 February inauguration party, CQU’s Melbourne students have access to professionally supervised information technology projects outside campus where they can turn theory into practice.

The CQU Kiwanis Club was born from a conversation at the Victoria Golf Club between the Development Officer for Kiwanis, Mark Simms, and Manager Career Education, C Management Services, Richard Higginbottom.

After a number of meetings the concept was approved and the next step was to hold discussions at Melbourne International Campus with the Manager of Student Training and Employment Program (STEP), Pat Kerslake.

Photo above=======CQU Kiwanis President Vinay Koneru gives a speech of thanks at the inauguration.

Kiwanis International and the Melbourne International Campus' STEP set up access to local organisations, enabling students entry to professionally supervised workplace experience while studying for their degree.

The initial projects – Ardoch Youth Foundation and Berry Street Kids – will assist the organisations concerned as well as enhance the professional development of the Informatics and Communication students.

Later projects will involve students from the Business and Law Faculty.