Central Queensland University has been recognised in the Large Business category of the Queensland Multicultural Awards announced in conjunction with a festival in Brisbane this week (May 24).

The award citation reads: "With students and staff from more than 130 countries, Central Queensland University is 1 of Australia's most culturally diverse universities. It is the number 1 education destination of choice for students from 33 countries and around 52% of students are international students, the highest proportion of all Australian universities. In 2005, CQU was named Exporter of the Year at the Premier of Queensland's Export Awards and the Australian Export Awards, acknowledging its business success and its dramatic 38.6% increase in international enrolments compared with the national average of 4.6%".

The award winners were announced this week by Multicultural Affairs Minister Chris Cummins.

CQU's competition submission document also includes reference to initiatives promoting reconciliation, cultural diversity, nurturing of migrants, harmony day and the elimination of racial discrimination day.

The submission recognises the 'Violence Prevention at Woorabinda State School' program of the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research based at CQU Mackay.

It also refers to:.

the CQ Multicultural Fair.

the work of Nulloo Yumah.

the Intercultural Pedagogy and Learning Centre.

the Australian South Sea Islander cultural heritage tour.

preservation of traditional songs from Rotuma Island.

various student exchange programs.

language study tours and inter-cultural study tours.

a sponsored art exhibition called 'Worship in Asian Folklores'.

an ongoing relationship with the Fitzroy Basin Aboriginal Elders.

support for the Rocky Chinese Radio Show.

the Indigenous Employment Reference Group.

the Diversity Talks forum; and.

relationships with overseas education systems.

Meanwhile, Mr Cummins said the Minister's Regional Community Commendations included Rockhampton's Maria Rickertt, whose efforts include support for the CQ Multicultural Fair at CQU Rockhamton.

"Maria Rickertt is a Local Area Multicultural Partnership Program (LAMP) worker at Rockhampton City Council and this award recognises the role that LAMP workers play in regional communities," he said.

"Maria is also a community volunteer and President of the Central Queensland Multicultural Association. She joined community radio station 4YOU in the early 1990s and volunteers in support of Central Queensland University\'s Multicultural Fair. She also organised and presented the Parade of Nations, a popular part of Rockhampton's official Australia Day celebrations, so she is a true blue multicultural hero in her local community".

Photo: CQU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard is congratulated by Multicultural Affairs Minister Chris Cummins and Premier Peter Beattie.