CQUniversity is looking forward to delivering thousands more Engineering graduates to the region over the coming years, with the launch this week of the $10.7 million refurbishment to its Rockhampton campus Engineering Precinct.

Having already hosted the annual GECon Graduating Engineers Conference last month, the Precinct has received much praise from students, academics and industry alike...

Clockwise from far left: Dean of School Engineering and Built Environment Alan McPhail, Chancellor Rennie Fritschy, Vice Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman, Chief Executive of Queensland Resources Council Michael Roche and incoming Dean of School Engineering and Built Environment Euan Lindsay tour the new Precinct

The launch involved a unique Engineering take on a nautical tradition; a mechanical arm smashing a champagne bottle against one of the Precinct's balconies for good luck.

Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council Michael Roche was on hand to help launch the Precinct, and said modernised facilities will assist the University in producing more highly-skilled Engineering graduates.

"Skills shortages remain a primary concern to the resources sector, particularly in the field of engineering," he said.

"Investing in modern facilities such as these to increase the number of engineering graduates is crucial to the sustainability of our industries."

Roche said the facility was a big step forward for the University's merger with Central Queensland Institute of TAFE, aligning with the Newman Government's vision for a vocational education based-system for 21st century Queensland.

CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman emphasised this also, explaining that the new facilities will compliment the University's plans to become a dual sector institution.

"These new facilities have been modernised to reflect what's going on outside, in industry" he said.

Vice Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman

"We're responding to industry expectations and creating a facility where engineers can get extensive practical and theoretical experience."

New facilities within the Engineering Precinct include labs for fluids, thermodynamics, thermofluids, geotech, concrete and structures and electronics. There is also a new lecture theatre, a postgraduate area, a materials-testing area, an acoustic test cell, soils store and a multi-purpose project-based learning lab.

The new Precinct will also feature an Alumni Walk, which allows past graduates to purchase pavers and be recognised for their donation to the University.

Mr Roche believes the upgraded facilities will allow CQUniversity to better contribute to a sustainable resources and mining industry.

"Queensland is moving into a long-term resources sector expansion and we're excited to see CQUniversity's commitment to producing more skilled engineering graduates than ever before" he said.

Chancellor Rennie Fritschy

"More and more of these graduates are being recruited into the resources sector each year, and with projects like this Australia's national wealth and economic future are looking much more secure."

The refurbished facilities have paved the way for further developments in Engineering at CQUniversity, such as the new Bundaberg campus offering in 2013 and the proposed precinct to be constructed at Mackay campus.

Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council Michael Roche 
Event attendees enjoying the new facilities