CQ University is an Australian public university located in Queensland, established in 1967 as the Queensland Institute of Technology, after two years which was under the name of ‘University College of Central Queensland. In 2008 it became CQ University in an effort to help the University remain an attractive career option. Its main campus in North Rockhampton Queensland, but it has operations throughout Asia-Pacific.

University Organization Governance:

CQU is governed by the CQU Council, comprising the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and various elected and appointed representatives. CQU students are represented by the CQU Student Association (CQUSA) which is governed by a board of elected students from across the CQU campus network. The CQUSA provides academic advocacy and support and a range of campus support services for students based at the CQU regional and international campuses. Postgraduate representation is provided by the CQU Student Association's, CQU Postgraduate Research Students Committee.

Faculties:

CQU has three faculties - Business and Informatics, Arts, Humanities and Education and Sciences, Engineering and Health. Prior to a restructure during late 2005, the university had five faculties.

Major Areas of Study:

CQU runs programs in a wide range of disciplines. The programs are generally grouped into the following sections: Built Environment and Design; Business and Tourism; Creative and Performing Arts; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Recreation; Humanities and Social Sciences; Information Technology; Primary Industries and Environment; Sciences; Double degrees; and Dual degrees. Information on the programs and courses available at CQU is available in the CQU Student Handbook.

Campuses:

CQU has a variety of campuses and learning centers in different areas. At present there are five campuses that are within Central Queensland, delivery sites on the Sunshine Coast, capital city campuses in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, a campus on the Gold Coast and five overseas locations.

In addition to Rockhampton the Central Queensland campuses service students in Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay and surrounding communities. With these various locations, these regional campuses can cater for students who want to stay close to home. CQU also offers programs at delivery sites on the Sunshine Coast.

There are also campuses which cater to international students in such areas as Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney. CQU also delivers programs in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Shanghai and Singapore. There was a campus located in Fiji which has shut down as of February 2007. A further international campus has been built on a custom campus in New Zealand. But this campus is also to be shut down end of 2008.

Research Centers:

CQU has numerous research centers, research institutes and programs including:

• Center for Environmental Management

• Center for Plant and Water Science

• Center for Railway Engineering

• Center for Social Science Research

• Primary Industries Research Centre

• Institute for Sustainable Regional Development

• International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research

University Ratings:

CQU received seven five star ratings from the Good Universities Guide (GUG) in 2003, giving it the most top ratings of any regional university in Australia. This made it more highly rated than some older, traditional universities. In 2007, GUG awarded CQU five separate 5-star ratings, including for "Positive Graduate Outcomes" for the fourth year in a row. Three of the four categories in which the university has achieved five stars relate to its international operations. It scored just one star for research intensivity and graduate satisfaction.

In the Melbourne Institute's 2006 rankings of Australian universities, CQU was ranked thirty-second of 38 Universities ranked in Arts and Humanities, thirty-fifth of 39 Universities ranked in Business, thirtieth of 35 Universities ranked in Education, twenty-fourth of 28 Universities ranked in Engineering, 28th of 38 Universities in Science.

In 2006, CQU was announced as being the number one destination and largest provider in the country for international students studying within Australia (Term 1 2006) by IDP Education Australia. CQU graduates receive among the highest starting salaries in the country. CQU received the highest possible rating for educational experience and entry flexibility. CQU "was one of only three Queensland universities", (the others being Bond University and the University of Queensland) "to receive the highest rating for positive graduate outcomes" according to the Good University Guide.