USQ to host inaugural Golden Key information session

Around 60 of the University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) brightest students will attend the University's inaugural Golden Key Society information session tonight (Thursday 24 August 2006).

Golden Key is an international honour society present in over 350 countries around the world and recognises the top 15 percent of undergraduate students in each faculty at hundreds of Universities across the globe.

Career learning consultant at USQ, Guy Williams, who is organising the information session, said that Golden Key acknowledges gifted university students.

'The Society gives recognition of academic achievement via scholarship opportunities, certificates and career information and at the information session we will be discussing the range of benefits that it offers,' Mr Williams said.

It is a great honour for these students and we are looking forward to setting up a Golden Key Society here at USQ.'

Roughly 700 students are currently eligible for the membership across USQ's three campuses, with the Society used as a gateway to employment by its members.

'This is all about enhancing student employability, by providing those in the Society with networking opportunities,' Mr Williams said.

'It is also a creative outlet for these high performing students as they organise events to help people in the community.

'For example, some other Golden Key Societies have set up reading programs for refugees, and held indigenous health forums.'

Although the initiative is only in it's infancy at USQ, it has already received a lot of support.

'Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove is actually a life member of the Golden Key and he has been really supportive of what we are trying to do,' Mr Williams said.

'With Professor Lovegrove's and the University's backing, I am sure that the Golden Key Society will have a real impact on campus and out in the community.'

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media +61 7 4631 1628, 0403 643 192