Toowoomba students graduate from University of Southern Queensland, UniSQ at Empire Theatre | photo gallery
Graduates of the University of Southern Queensland celebrate the culmination of years of hard work at ceremonies at the Empire Theatre. See the photos here.
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The South Burnett may recognise Kirstie Schumacher as one of its members of council, but when she’s not working on the budget or assisting her community, she’s working hard to achieve her own goals.
Ms Schumacher enrolled in a Bachelor of Professional Communication and Media in 2017 while she was working at Stanwell Corporation and aspired to be a senior advisor.
By 2020 she was elected a councillor for the South Burnett but the online student was determined to complete her degree – an accomplishment she made on Tuesday.
“Earning a degree was a lifelong dream of mine and I became the first person in my family to do that,” Ms Schumacher said.
“I had to prove to myself I could do this and if you want something bad enough you’ll make it happen.”
The part-time student graduated from the University of Southern Queensland at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba on Tuesday and was supported by her husband and two kids.
Despite juggling full-time work, part-time studies and the role of mum, Ms Schumacher said the experience has only pushed her to pursue further qualifications.
Hoping to serve as a role model for her children, as well as mature-aged and regional students, the councillor encouraged others to invest in their education.
“It’s inspired a hunger in me … it’s my first degree but I don’t think it will be my last,” she said.
“I met an older gentleman yesterday who had completed his doctorate and he said ‘you’re never too old to learn something new’ and I find that commitment to education so inspiring.
“(For my children) to see me hold my cap and graduate was honestly so special – on the way home they were talking about what they might like to study and I love they are thinking big about their dreams too.”
While Ms Schumacher admits her education journey came with sacrifices, late nights and a lot of hard work, she was grateful for the support she received from her family and UniSQ.
“It wasn’t easy but I’m a genuine believer that nothing worthwhile is ever easy,” she said.
“I believe more needs to be done to help people living in regional areas fulfil tertiary qualifications because if you fully commit and chip away at it you will absolutely get there.”
The 35-year-old celebrated at dinner with her family and “a couple of glasses of champagne”.
‘I’m here because of them’: Daughter’s ultimate sacrifice for education
Final exams are stressful for most students, but few can say they’ve sacrificed as much as Moumita Das.
The 27-year-old relocated from her home in Bangladesh to Toowoomba in 2020 to start studying her Masters in Professional Accounting.
After two years of hard work, the international student graduated from the University of Southern Queensland on Tuesday.
“(When I moved here) I left my family behind, I was all alone and there was a language barrier,” Ms Das said.
“I feel pretty special today – I feel like a queen.”
But the incredible accomplishment has not come without its challenges and heartbreak after Ms Das’ father passed away as a result of a brain stroke in Bangladesh during her final exams.
Her mum also has a fear of flying so she sadly could not attend the ceremony in Toowoomba, but watched via videolink.
“It was always my dream to bring my family here so that was hard,” Ms Das said.
“In my country girls normally get married – they don’t work or study, but my parents have supported me from the very beginning.
“I’m here because of them.”
The graduate works for a Toowoomba accounting firm.
Placing at the top of her accounting subject in high school, Ms Das said she always had an interest in accounting, mathematics and numbers as the “rules never changed”.
She said in order to one day run a successful business venture, she wanted to make sure she understood every aspect of the financial side.
After the ceremony concluded at the Empire Theatre, the new graduate celebrated with her university friends over lunch, followed by cake.
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