Thanks-a-million Jennelle

Today our Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research), Professor Jennelle Kyd, conducts her final professorial lecture at CQUniversity Mackay. Jennelle is leaving us to accept a promotion as Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Swinburne University.

As Jennelle departs not just our University but our region, I would like to sincerely thank her in helping CQUniversity achieve a number of incredible milestones, some of which include:

• Securing a $73.8 million Commonwealth Government commitment to help build Queensland’s first dual sector university
• Achieving a five-star rating for Indigenous and low-socio economic student participation in the Good Universities Guide
• Achieving a five-star rating for graduate starting salaries
• Completing the $10.7m Engineering Precinct refurbishment in Rockhampton
• Appointing two foundation Engaged Research Chairs in Professor Drew Dawson and Professor Brenda Happell – both national leaders in their fields
• Appointing a foundation Pro-Vice Chancellor in Indigenous Engagement, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks
• Completing the $12mCommunity Allied Health Clinic (Stage 1) in Rockhampton, and securing $1m for Stage 2
• Completing the combined $9m refurbishment of the Brisbane and Noosa campuses
• Establishing the Adelaide-based Appleton Institute and a study centre in Cairns
• Refurbishing and upgrading the Rockhampton and Mackay libraries ($15.2m total)
• Purchasing and establishing the Central Queensland Innovation and Research precinct
• Putting medical imaging and sonography labs into Sydney and Mackay
• Introducing countless new programs including medical imaging, paramedic science, allied health, aviation and Australia’s first three-year distance law degree

I know when I look at this list I am impressed, but what’s even more impressive is that there is so much more to come as CQUniversity goes from strong to GREAT.

It’s a shame Jennelle is leaving us at such an exciting time in our journey but I do wish her all the best and congratulate her on her new role. I’ve no doubt she will go on to do more exceptional things and continue to make a strong contribution to higher education in Australia.

Best wishes