Welcome to the official CQUniversity Student Blog – CQUniLife. This blog follows the experiences of a diverse group of CQUniversity students from different countries, studying various programs and at various campuses throughout Australia.
Hi, I’m Carolyn Armstrong and I’ve just completed a Bachelor of Nursing with Distinction at CQUni… from my hometown of Broome!
Despite being an odd 2000 kilometre journey from the nearest CQUniversity campus in Perth, I was able to complete my studies online – a feat which was made all the more easier by my time spent at the Broome Study Hub.
Continue reading How CQUni Study Hubs helped me take the distance out of online study
It’s December, the Friday of the months, so naturally the Student Communications team has been reflecting on all of the achievements, awards and events we’ve enjoyed sharing this year. From sporting gold, to superheroes and change champions, 2018 has seen so many CQUni students doing great things that there are simply too many to mention.
Continue reading Sporting gold, superheroes & change champions – Our highlights of 2018
Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, His Honour Judge Alexander ‘Sandy’ Horneman-Wren SC (BBus, 1987) delivered the Occasional Address at the Rockhampton Graduation Ceremony on 4 December. An alumnus of CQUniversity, Sandy is currently a Judge of the Children’s and the Planning and Environmental Courts of Queensland and has worked in a diverse range of areas including civil, human rights, administrative law, and professional disciplines. Continue reading Occasional address: Judge Sandy Horneman-Wren
Prior to joining CQUni’s Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM), Nicole Thomson spent 20 years travelling the world and singing professionally with a capella sextet, The Song Company. Over the years she’s been head-hunted by singing and musical organisations both nationally and internationally, including Musica Viva and Sydney Children’s Choir – yet for the past six years she’s chosen to call North Queensland home. Throughout her career, Ms Thomson has performed in 18 countries and in more than 30 different languages.
What is your first memory?
I don’t think in pictures, so this is a hard one, but my first childhood story was when I was in Grade 2, and had run in a school race, come last, and ran up to my mother and triumphantly stated, ‘I didn’t win, Mum, but I did my best!’ (Sadly with athletics, the story has not changed!)
Are you a CQUni Alumni? If so, what did you graduate in?
Yes, I graduated with the Graduate Certificate in Tertiary and Adult Education in 2017 and am currently undertaking a Masters degree.
What was a recent highlight in your life?
I was awarded the 2018 Distance Educator of the Year award from CQUniversity. What an honour.
What is the best thing about being at CQUni?
I love the opportunity of being able to pass on the skills that I’ve learned as I’ve travelled the world performing and helping our students understand that you can still have a profitable career even if you are from a regional area.
Who has made an impact on your life? Why?
My grandparents, Sir Albert Abbott CBE and Lady Gwendoline Abbott were a large influence on my life. From them, I learned to appreciate everyone in every position, that politeness is never wasted and that it is your choice whether you are content with life, or not. They were a gracious couple who helped shape Mackay and kept it moving forward.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I am still an active performer, so I do some rehearsals and other projects when they arise around the country, and I also am the Musical Director and conductor of the Mackay Choral Society Inc., so that keeps me rather busy. I would also like to establish an International Choral Festival, as I have some choirs from other countries that would like to come and work with me.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
I would ask people to do two things – to be grateful and to perform one random act of kindness each day.
What’s the biggest way a student has inspired you?
I have been inspired by the sheer tenacity of some students who struggle to break through in some way, but refuse to give up as they fight. They do make it, by the way, but sometimes it takes a while.
What is a motto or phrase that you live by?
Slow and steady wins the race – but fast and quick is better! (Thank-you Gran!)
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
I have been fortunate to work with some celebrities such as Russell Crowe and Jessica Mauboy. I have also performed for Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and the Royal family of Malaysia (Alor Star region).
It’s been another wonderful year for CQUniversity alumni. Thousands of graduates have remained connected by giving back, updating details, attending events and helping students.
You can watch our university highlights in the CQUniversity 2018 Review video or read about the highlights for alumni below. We hope you enjoy the news, and as always, would be delighted to hear any feedback on your 2018 alumni experience or any ideas for future programs. Continue reading Alumni Relations Wrap 2018
Do you want to save time and find the best sources of information for your assignments?
Join our online librarians in Weeks 5 & 6 for Ask A Librarian ‘Super Sessions’. Why a Super Session? A Super Session is an opportunity for students to learn how to successfully find quality sources of information in our online library. You can also find out all the information about how to access all the library resources and services. We are here to help you with your studies!
Best of all, these sessions are held online, so you can access them from wherever you are!
CQUniversity Emerald campus ITD Contractor/Developer Ben Robertson loves enabling staff and students to achieve their goals by making sure the IT equipment they are using works for them. He also enjoys helping people to help themselves in regards to technology, by providing insight into the cause of the issue they are having problems with.
At CQUniversity, we’re dedicated to improving the student experience, and that extends to all our services, systems and applications – including our CQUni mobile app!
We asked our most important voice – YOU – for your opinion on the CQUni mobile app and how we could tailor it to fit your unique student needs.
After an extensive student consultation process this year, we are excited to bring you our newly improved CQUni mobile application! We’ve made improvements to the app based on your direct feedback to ensure everything you need to to be a successful CQUni student is just one touch away.
International student, Baljinnyam Davaajav (Bella, in short) comes from Mongolia with a background in HR Management.
She began her studies at CQUniversity Sydney campus in 2015 to study English through the CQUEnglish Language Centre and later enrolled in the Master of Human Resource Management, which she has recently completed.
We chat to Bella to find out more about her studies, advice she can provide to prospective international students and her experience at CQUniversity.
CQUniversity Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) Case Manager Tina Stritzke has arguably, one of the most diverse jobs in the world. Every day she meets people from a variety of nations and backgrounds, not only helping them to learn English and settle in to their way of life, but also welcoming them into the Australian community.