The Cairns Post

Graduates first for uni

- HAYDEN SMITH

PROUD Far North university graduates have toasted years of hard work and untold sacrifices.

CQUniversi­ty Cairns yesterday celebrated a milestone with the first graduation ceremony in its short history.

Among the 18 distance education graduates was Cairns mother-of-four Mami Osada, who was presented with a Masters of Teaching.

“It was very emotional and the hard work finally paid off,” she said.

“Sometimes it was quite full-on trying to balance study, work and raising a family.”

After working as a tour guide at the start of her degree Mrs Osada, 37, is now employed at Edge Hill State School.

CQUniversi­ty began distance education services in Cairns more than four years ago, before opening a new CBD campus last October.

CQU’s Far North associate vice-chancellor Jodie Duignan-George said the event was significan­t for tertiary education in the region.

“It is great to be seeing students from the 2012-era coming through,” she said.

The university’s on-campus students aren’t expected to graduate until at least 2019. I already work in constructi­on and am keen to keep progressin­g in the industry. I am working as a paramedic graduate in Townsville and one day hope to find a role in management or education. I majored in water science and am just looking for whatever full-time work I can find. I just love working with children and want to be a good role model. Specials valid from 29/09/16 until 01/10/16 or while stocks last

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 ?? Picture: ANNA ROGERS ?? ACHIEVERS: CQUniversi­ty Cairns graduates Mitchell Bentley, Kea Lewry, Caitlin Denning and Mami Osada at the ceremony at Cairns Convention Centre.
Picture: ANNA ROGERS ACHIEVERS: CQUniversi­ty Cairns graduates Mitchell Bentley, Kea Lewry, Caitlin Denning and Mami Osada at the ceremony at Cairns Convention Centre.

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