CQU’s metro students celebrate graduations

19 August 2026

Graduates from Melbourne lined up wit testamurs — More than 1000 students have graduated during ceremonies in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in August

By Greg Chapman

CQUniversity’s metropolitan locations were hives of celebration, with more than 1000 students crossing the stage at graduation ceremonies in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney recently.

Dreams were realised and goals achieved during the ceremonies as families gathered in almost equal numbers to congratulate the graduates on reaching such a significant milestone.

The whirlwind ceremonies kicked off at the Melbourne Convention Centre on 12 August where nearly 500 graduates received their testamurs across two events.

Graduates represented all five CQU schools, with diverse disciplines including Aviation, Accounting, Laboratory Medicine, Echocardiography and Cardiac Physiology, Business, Engineering and Educational Neuroscience.

Image of graduates throwing mortarboards — Graduates celebrate in Brisbane

Guest Student Representative Master of Public Heath graduate Hirusha Kiriarachchige captured the feeling in her whole-hearted graduate response speech: “A dream is just a dream until you decide to make it real.”

The events also recognised 11 Doctoral graduates: Dr Gopi Akella, Dr Rahima Akter, Dr Nimeshika Aloysius, Dr Nazeh Baarini, Dr Kylie de Klerk, Dr Chanruni Mudiyanselage, Dr Arun Doppalapudi, Dr AKM Hoque, Dr Zhan Koh, Dr Melvin Ramkhelawan and Dr Celia Tinetti.

Brisbane was next in the spotlight where hundreds converged at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for dual ceremonies on 14 August.

Amongst the graduates were 13 Doctoral graduates, including Dr Janye Graham, Dr Kylie Todhunter, Dr Ronald Addo-Quaye, Dr Lorelle Bowditch, Dr Chantelle Chatham, Dr Brydie Luva, Dr Emma Reid, Dr Alexandra Shriane, Dr Dhanushki Arachchige, Dr Alan Zana, Dr Aaron Sylvian, Dr Dayna Easton, and Dr Wendy Mastin.

Amelia Hurt and Joey Ung wear graduation gowns, hold CQU Cares signs reading Thank you. — Amelia Hurt, Paramedic Science and Joey Ung, Medical Sonography, were some of the many graduates to have received scholarships and academic prizes during their studies

Guest Speaker, ABC journalist Ellen Fanning, encouraged the students to believe in themselves and their acquired life experience.

"Let that experience strengthen your belief in yourself. It’s given you insight, resilience, and a point of view that deserves to be heard.”

Finally in Sydney, almost 300 crossed the stage at the Sydney International Convention Centre in two ceremonies on 20 August.

Ten doctoral graduates were recognised, including Dr Melissa Smith, Dr Padam Dahal, Dr Elvina Gusman, Dr Kerri Jackson, Dr Ashmita Karki, Dr Esther Landells, Dr Grish Paudel, Dr Irina Pavlyuk and Dr Jovelyn Yu.

The attendees heard from Guest Student representatives, Master of Business Management (HR Management) Jyotika Bhatt and Bachelor of Information Technology (Cybersecurity) Sahisa Sunuwar during the ceremonies.

"Today isn't just the end of a chapter, it is the outcome of hard work and resilience. It is also the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of learning and practising," Jyotika said. "As we step into this world, beyond these doors, let's carry the same determination, kindness and passion into everything we do."

In graduating, the successful students joined a 130,000-strong community of CQUniversity alumni across the globe.