Page 18 - Tropic Magazine Issue 22

TROPIC • EDUCATION

Steps to success

MATURE AGE PATHWAY
Cairns engineer Duane started
at CQUni with a swing in
his ‘STEPS’.
Duane Gerussi is living proof that the
road to tertiary education doesn’t have
to be straightforward to be successful.
The Cairns resident had three decades
of hands-on work experience in his
kit bag but he still appreciated access
to CQUniversity’s STEPS preparatory
program before forging ahead with his
engineering degree.
“The STEPS course was really useful
in helping me develop my research age, after travelling fairly extensively,
skills and become accustomed to the I have to say Cairns is my home,” he CQUniversity civil engineering student Duane
Moodle student access system,” Duane said. “It really means a lot to be able to CQUniversity’s Associate Vice-Chancellor
said. “The teacher was excellent and it complete my degree here. I know for for the Cairns and FNQ Region, Jodie
was refreshing to interact with other a fact there is a vast amount of civil Duignan-George, is proud that Duane
infrastructure scheduled for Cairns recently earned the Student Engineer
and this is why I chose civil engineering President’s Commendation from
as my discipline.” Engineers Australia Queensland. “Duane
The STEPS course was Duane appreciates the face-to-face has maintained a high GPA and was
part of a team which represented CQUni
learning available at CQUniversity Cairns.
really useful in helping me “One of the reasons I never undertook with distinction at last year’s annual
develop my research skills an engineering degree earlier was my Warman Design & Build Competition in
reluctance to move away from Cairns, Sydney,” she said. “Their robot entry was
Duane Gerussi, even just to Townsville,” he said. “CQUni made from mostly recycled materials.
Engineer offers excellent tuition and support, plus Duane also gained a New Colombo Plan
I have a great study buddy! I would also scholarship and support from CQUGlobal
students. By Term 1 I was very much in like to credit my achievements to my own Outbound to join other CQUni students
the swing of things and could hit the passion and determination. I hope to at an Engineers Without Borders
ground running.” secure a local industry placement so excursion to Nepal. He is a great role
Cairns was a natural choice for Duane’s that I may complete my degree and model for other adult-entry students.”
study location given CQUni’s quality and contribute to infrastructure in the
range of local programs. “At 48 years of greater Cairns region.” MORE: cqu.edu.au

TAFE boost to grow the marine, aviation and food
production sectors in collaboration with
industry. Steve Howarth, the General
LOCAL INVESTMENT
Manager for manufacturing at marine
An upgrade of facilities at TAFE company Norship, said it’s an important
Cairns follows the establishment initiative. “Making the facility available
to local businesses shows excellent
of a manufacturing hub at foresight for the important role
the campus. advanced manufacturing will play,” he
said. The hub is delivering advanced
Words: Renee Cluff welding training to support the marine
Construction is just beginning on a sector and is also developing an
new hospitality and beauty training advanced fibre composites maintenance
precinct at TAFE Cairns, while trades and repair facility with access to 3D
training and performing arts facilities printing for aviation, defence and
will also be upgraded as part of a $15 superyachts. It will also receive funding
million State Government investment. of $650,000 over three years for FNQ
The work comes just months after the Food Incubator, which helps early-stage
opening of a $10 million Manufacturing food processors commercialise
Hub at the campus. Its initial focus is their products.

18 • Tropic • Issue 22