Love at UQ 2026
Love at UQ 2026
The University of Queensland offers more than education; it offers the opportunity to make connections that stand the test of time. From partners to best friends, Contact is sharing the stories of alumni who found love when studying at UQ.
Shannon (Bachelor of Science '17; Doctor of Medicine '21) and Daniel (Doctor of Medicine '22)
Told by Shannon
"My first date with Daniel came at the end of a very long study session in the Biological Sciences Library at the end of 2015 – the first year of my Bachelor of Science. We saw out my bachelor’s degree together, and after I was accepted for study in the Doctor of Medicine program, Daniel – who had previously trained as an engineer – decided to walk the same path and was accepted for the same program in the following year.
"We spent 5 years navigating our Doctor of Medicine programs together with many late-night study sessions, catch-ups at the PA-Southside Clinical Unit, baking snacks and supporting each other through at home examinations during the height of the COVID lockdown. Going through the program together has given us a strong perspective on the joys and challenges of training in medicine that we share now as a married couple."
Sarah (Bachelor of Speech Pathology '03) and David (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws '02)
Told by Sarah
"David and I met on the Great Court in O-Week 1999. He was on the Amnesty International stall, and I thought social justice was ace.
"We've been together ever since and even got married at Customs House. UQ and I are still together too. I'm now an Associate Professor in Speech Pathology."
Shubham (Master of Data Science
'23) and friends
Told by Shubham
"We all met because of UQ – arriving from India to study different master’s programs, but sharing something much deeper than a campus or a degree. What began as an academic journey soon became a shared experience of friendship, support and belonging that turned classmates and uni friends into family.
"When our friend Nevil (Master of Business ’23) announced his wedding, it felt like the perfect reason for all of us to reunite. Despite our different paths – and the different parts of the world life had taken us – we came together again.
"Some had stayed in India, others had built lives here in Australia, but nothing could stop us from crossing the miles to celebrate together. A few of us even flew all the way from Australia just to be part of this special day – a testament to the bond that started at UQ and stayed strong through time and distance. Over a few unforgettable days, we celebrated the wedding with joy, dancing and heartfelt moments, and made new memories that we know we’ll talk about for years.
"UQ wasn’t just where we studied; it was where we found friends who became family, and a story we’ll always carry with us."
Meet the friend group:
- Shubham (Master of Data Science '23)
- Nevil (Master of Business '23)
- Manali (Master of Business '22)
- Ronak (Master of Business '23)
- Shivam (Master of Interaction Design '23)
- Bhavin (Master of Engineering Science '23)
- Varul (Master of Food Science and Technology '23)
Aulia (Masters of Applied Linguistics '23) and Aulia (Masters of Applied Linguistics '24)
Told by Aulia
"I met so many great friends when studying at UQ – my dream uni. In my second year, I met my classmate Aulia. We share the same first name and are both from Indonesia. We have daughters with the same name too.
"It was lovely to meet a friend like Aulia, and we are still in contact now. I live in Australia while Aulia is back in Indonesia with her family after finishing her master’s degree at UQ. I visited her and the family in Ternate, North Maluku, Indonesia recently. I’m very grateful that we went through Applied Linguistics together at UQ. 💜"
Unaisi (Doctor of Philosophy '24) and Unique (Bachelor of Arts '25)
Told by Unaisi
"Under a frangipani tree, on a small island in the South Pacific, Unique and I mapped out our futures. Little did we know, it involved us both attending and graduating from UQ.
"We held each other up during COVID and, during our studies, we both had baby girls. At UQ, our friendship has strengthened so much that I cannot see my future without her in it. To quote Elphaba, being at UQ with one of my best friends “left a handprint on my heart” and we were definitely "changed for good."
Yanxuan (Bachelor of Arts '22) and Mathew (Bachelor of Engineering '22)
Told by Yanxuan
"Mathew and I first met at an online Economics class at UQ during the COVID lockdowns. We started talking about coursework, but soon our conversations grew into sharing our lives and dreams.
"In 2022, when I returned to campus for my graduation, we finally met in person and quickly became inseparable. I attended his graduation as well, and he later asked me to be his girlfriend – I happily said yes. Although we have spent much of our relationship long-distance, our love has stayed strong. The memories we created at UQ mean a lot to us, and we remain deeply connected through our shared experiences and friendships."
Sarah (Bachelor of Engineering '11) and Daniel (Bachelor of Secondary Education/Bachelor of Science '10)
Told by Sarah
"Daniel and I met on campus sometime in 2006, most likely under the clock tower or in a lecture theatre – but we can’t tell you for certain. It clearly wasn’t love at first sight, but over those first 6 months at uni we quickly became fast friends.
"We were part of the same society club and shared first-year maths classes. Dan spent many Friday afternoons helping my engineering friends and I finish our maths tutorial homework in exchange for slices of pizza from the Pizza Caffe (the “P” being the pizza of choice).
"At the end of second year, we were voted into the executive committee of our student society (Evangelical Students) and quickly realised there was more to this friendship than a mutual love of maths and pizza.
"UQ lakes were the background of many significant milestones in our relationship – our first kiss, our engagement… so when it was time to get married, of course we had to have our photos and reception on campus!
"It’d be remiss to tell this story without also mentioning the friendships we made at uni. Our group has grown over the years and we now have 25 kids between us which makes camping trips much more fun.
"In 2026, we will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary and 20 years of friendship. We now have 2 beautiful girls (and potential future UQ graduates). UQ will always be a special place in the story of our family."
Anne (Bachelor of Social Work '97) and Alf (Bachelor of Engineering '63)
Told by Anne and Alf’s daughter, Sal
"Anne and Alf met at UQ in 1963 and married in 1967.
"Alf worked for over 35 years as a computer system design engineer in the power industry and then bought a small sign-writing business, which allowed him to keep designing and creating until retirement.
"Anne was not permitted by her parents to attend university when she was a young woman and had a varied work life as a librarian, commercial skills trainer and writer. She attended university later in life, graduating from UQ with a Bachelor of Social Work in 1997.
"Anne and Alf have been married for 58 years and live close to me (also a UQ alum) and my family."
Marina (Bachelor of Arts '85) and Letitia (Bachelor of Arts '85, Master of Counselling '16)
Told by Marina
"At UQ, I spent many lunches with friends in the Creperie – I still catch up with some of them on Facebook. Boyfriends came and went, but friendships became lifelong.
"Through drama at UQ, I met my treasured friend Letitia. Though family and work have sometimes separated us over the years, the connection is as strong as ever. We continue to meet, attend the theatre and discuss our families, work and life."
Colin (Master of Business Administration '08) and John (Master of Business Administration '09)
Told by Colin
"John and I struck up a friendship while doing our MBA at UQ. We did our MBA in weekend mode, and we would sit on the lawn at our breaks.
"John sold IVF drugs and I sold brain scanners at the time. With John being chemically-minded and I being software/hardware-minded, we would come up with ridiculous business ideas. We would pass notes between us to keep the subject matter stimulating. We even went skiing in New Zealand together and currently catch up for coffee about 4 times a year. We are good buddies."
Ai (Doctor of Philosophy '11) and Ha
Told by Ai
"Our story began at UQ in 2010 during O-Week. I was starting my journey at UQ, and she was there with a friend, just visiting the campus. In the middle of the crowds, the music, the stalls and the excitement of a new semester, our paths crossed.
"That simple meeting turned into something unforgettable. We started dating soon after. Even though she was not a UQ student, the campus quickly became a special place for both of us. In 2011, I graduated, and not long after, we got married and began building a life together.
"My wife loves the phoenix flower (Poinciana). Every year, when the bright red blossoms appear, we return to the campus to take photos. Standing under those fiery flowers reminds us of where it all began and how far we have come.
"We now have 2 beautiful sons, and each visit becomes even more meaningful. Whenever we stand by that same tree, memories come back gently and clearly. We remember the early days of young love, the challenges we have faced together, the moments that tested us and the many joys that have filled our lives.
"Visiting that tree isn’t just about remembering where our love started. It’s a celebration of the journey we’ve taken as a family. A quiet reminder that love grows, changes, survives and blossoms – just like the phoenix flower we stand under year after year."
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