Despite several hurdles, Port of Townsville database applications administrator Ms Amanda Cox has completed the Master of IT Management with Charles Sturt University (CSU).  IT Industry certifications are incorporated as an integral component of Master degree and Ms Cox also achieved certification as a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (SQL Server) and three additional Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist certifications. 

 

Apart from trying to juggle a demanding full-time career and her studies, Amanda also coped with having Type 3 Osteogenesis imperfecta (a genetic bone disorder sometimes known as Brittle Bone Disease) which she describes as ‘just a nuisance’. With something as simple as a sneeze causing her to break a rib, X-rays have shown that Ms Cox has suffered more than 120 broken bones throughout her life. 

 

Ms Cox’s boss, Port of Townsville CEO, Mr Barry Holden was impressed by her determination.  “Amanda has always worked hard at everything she has done,” said Mr Holden.  She is an integral and much appreciated member of this organisation – the fact she hurtles around in a wheelchair is irrelevant. The only down side is the risk of wheel tracks on your shoes,” he joked.

 

“We encourage all employees to undertake further study to achieve the best they can be personally and for the organisation.  Amanda has set a fine example for others to follow.”

 

Ms Cox says she has never let her condition hold her back.

 

“I was born with so many conflicting disabilities but that has never stopped me from learning or wanting to learn,” Ms Cox said.  “In 1978 I saw my first Apple 2 computer and knew I wanted to work in what was still a very new industry at the time.  I have been writing computer applications since 1990 and the Port’s shipping application is in its ‘third life’ (third version).  I’m very attached to my shipping system - I just think, if you’re not passionate about things, why do it?”

 

Seeing her passion, Mr Holden encouraged Ms Cox to further her studies but the issue of travelling to university, even for residential schools, was a barrier. Then Ms Cox discovered the IT Master’s degree at CSU, an online course which didn’t require any travel to study.

 

She began her degree in 2004 and submitted her first assignment but then she was hit by a car while on a pedestrian crossing.  After an arduous stint in hospital, Ms Cox was “back at the books”.

 

“The degree was a good distraction from my troubles, so I pushed myself to get back into it.”

 

Ms Cox believes the support from family and work colleagues has helped her continue her studies.  “Dad was supportive. He was passionate about education and always said to me that when I did graduate I’d have to go to my graduation ceremony and get that piece of paper. He was a teacher whose degree arrived in the mail and he said it wasn’t the same. Dad died in 2010 so he didn’t get to see me graduate.”

 

Ms Cox wanted to travel to Bathurst to fulfil her promise to her father but this was logistically too difficult.CSU staff were determined to make sure Ms Cox finished her degree on a positive note, with Head of CSU’s School of Computing and Mathematics, Associate Professor Irfan Altas organising a flight to Townsville to congratulate her in person.

 

“Ms Cox initially came to our attention purely because she was always so bright and bubbly to talk to on the phone,”  Professor Altas said.  “For one subject it was a requirement that the exam was taken in a major capital city. Ms Cox contacted us and explained that due to her condition, she couldn’t fly without a carer but had trouble finding one to accompany her. Until then we weren’t aware of the extra challenges that faced her but quickly arranged an alternative examination venue.

 

 “I thought it was important to recognise all the extra challenges that Amanda had overcome to get her degree finished,” said Professor Atlas after he and CSU adjunct senior lecturer in IT, Mr Martin Hale travelled to Townsville to meet this inspirational student and her family, bringing with them a special CSU graduation teddy bear to help celebrate the achievement.

 

“It really was a privilege to meet Amanda and we’re honoured she chose to study through Charles Sturt University,” Professor Atlas said.

 

Ms Cox is now preparing to take the next step in her education, a Doctorate in Information Technology.

 

“I’m really interested in researching IT best practice for vessel scheduling and port management in a very complex and dynamic environment within the transport logistics industry, and ensuring that we can provide the best service for our customers here in Townsville,” she said.