2003 Ipswich Campus valedictorian Andrew Blythe (top) and Information Environments graduate Rishad Sukhia.

PROFILE - UQ IPSWICH GRADUATES 2003

2003 Valedictorian

Andrew Blythe, who received his Bachelor of Contemporary Studies with honours, delivered the student valedictorian address at the 2003 UQ Ipswich Graduation Ceremony. Mr Blythe is the first honours graduate at UQ Ipswich to be nominated as a valedictorian. He is the 2002 holder of the Ipswich Sesqui Centenary Local History Research Scholarship funded by the Ipswich City Council Planning Department. As a result of the research undertaken through the scholarship Mr Blythe hopes to write a book about the history of Ipswich.

Facing up to a web of challenges

International student Rishad Sukhia, who graduated with a Bachelor of Information Environments, has been described as the face of UQ. Since 2002 Mr Sukhia, who is originally from India, has been one of a number of UQ students featured in the University's advertising campaign. "The campaign photos have been used across a variety of media and I sometimes get recognised but it's been interesting and I've enjoyed it ? it's all fun," he said. Not content with providing his modelling skills Mr Sukhia has also been using his computing knowledge and experience, including graphic design, information visualisation and usability testing, to improve the look of the University's own websites. He has worked casually with the Web Services Department in the University's Office of Marketing and Communications since October 2000. "The UQ websites have a new look and feel and I'm happy to say I've contributed directly to their design and layout," he said. In February 2001 Mr Sukhia set up IMAGIN8 Web Studio with his cousin. The web services company has since gone on to win numerous awards, including multiple Golden Web Awards. Mr Sukhia said he was now going to concentrate on building and expanding the business.

Ipswich resident does what she always wanted

When Nikki Douglass left high school in year 10 to begin a management cadetship with KFC she never imagined 13 years later she would be graduating from university with a Bachelor of Electronic Commerce. The Ipswich resident and mother of two young children said one day she decided she was going to do what she had always wanted and become an accountant. "Discovering there was a state-of-the-art campus just down the road from my home and that I could do a degree studying two of my favourite things, computers and accounting, was fantastic," she said. Ms Douglass said her UQ studies had taught her to think at a wider level. Before enrolling at UQ Ipswich Ms Douglass studied at TAFE to help her prepare for university life. "Starting anything new is daunting and university was no different. Initially I was concerned about being the oldest but after my first week I knew that was not an issue at all," she said. Ms Douglass said she was grateful for the support she received from teaching staff. "While studying I had a family to consider, and finding a balance was difficult. On a few occasions I questioned if I would be able to complete the degree, but I remained focused on the big picture and now I have succeeded," she said.

From Ipswich to Canberra

Bachelor of Electronic Commerce graduand Terena Lepper will leave her hometown of Ipswich in February to begin a career with the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in Canberra in February. Ms Lepper, who attended Ipswich State High School, was one of a select group of Australian university graduates offered positions with ANAO. "I applied along with 776 other applicants in June earlier this year," she said. "I was successful in gaining an interview and was flown to Canberra for the assessment day with 76 other candidates. "After further consideration 26 students including myself were offered positions." Ms Lepper said she was attracted to the Bachelor of Electronic Commerce program at UQ Ipswich because she had an interest in accounting and information technology and the program offered her the chance to study both fields together. "I liked the idea of studying these two areas together. The degree offers a larger base of careers including auditing, system administration and accounting, so the choice of career is not limiting," she said. Ms Lepper said she was excited about her move to the capital. "I believe working in Canberra will give me a multitude of opportunities and experiences in work and life in general," she said.