Triumphs and achievements at Brisbane Graduation ceremonies
Dreams, aspirations and journeys came to fruition for hundreds of south-east Queenslanders when they crossed the stage at the 2025 CQUniversity Brisbane graduation ceremonies on 15 August.
The two ceremonies, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcased almost 600 graduates, comprised of higher education (including 12 doctoral graduates) and vocational education and training (VET) students.
Graduates from the School of Business and Law and School of Engineering and Technology featured at the 11am ceremony, while the 3pm ceremony honoured graduates across Education and the Arts, Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, and Research Higher Degree faculties.
Guest speaker and CQU Alumnus of the Year for Social Impact Award recipient, Dr John Kapeleris reminded the graduates that their degree was “a foundation, not a finish line”.
“Keep learning, keep questioning, keep growing because the moment you think you know it all is the moment you start falling behind.”
A Brisbane-based medical immunologist and CEO of innovative ag-tech company BirdSol, Dr Kapeleris completed his Graduate Diploma of Management with CQU in 1995.
The Alumni Award recognised Dr Kapeleris for his significant contributions to strategic leadership and biotechnology-based innovation across diverse fields, driving outcomes such as improved global health and enhanced agricultural productivity and sustainability.
CQU Chancellor Graeme Innes AM congratulated the graduates and their supporters.
“Graduation is a wonderful cocktail of achievement, relief and sadness. I acknowledge the important role of those who supported you along the way … I know how vital such support is.”
Bachelor of Hospitality Management graduate Murangi Tshisikule spoke on behalf of students at the morning ceremony and reminded graduates of a saying from her native South Africa.
“A person is a person through people – it reminds us that our strength and identity comes from community. From those who walk beside us, lift us up, and help shape who we become,” she said.
Having moved from South Africa to Australia, Murangi said she leaned on the CQU community to help her get through her studies.
“From student support and counselling events and advice … through that I found something special – a new community. One that motivates me, believes in me and challenges me to reach higher than I ever thought possible,” she said.
At the afternoon ceremony, Master of Clinical Chiropractic graduate Daniel Humphreys told the gathered graduates they should be proud to have completed a “marathon” effort, thanks to the support of many.
“It’s a symbol of endurance, resilience, perseverance and commitment … luckily for us we’ve not been running a solo race. It’s taken a team of people to get us to the finish line,” he said.
“The CQUniversity academic and support staff have been our trainers and coaches, providing the tools and experiences for us to develop our skills and hone our technique – even patching us back together sometimes.”
The ceremonies also saw doctorates awarded to Dr Janneka Banks, Dr Joanna Beresford, Dr David Buck, Dr Bridget Ferguson, Dr Timothy Johnson, Dr Shikha Malviya, Dr Juan Carlos Munoz Carpio, Dr Nicola Novello, Dr Julie-Anne Rogers, Dr Tej Shahi, Dr Kirsty Shearer and Dr Michael Vail.
In graduating, the successful students joined a 130,000-strong community of CQUniversity alumni across the globe.
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