Expert orators

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Tags: centenary, events, public lectures, summer-2010

Centenary orator and Nobel laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz

Members of the public were able to explore Mars, discover the world’s deepest oceans and be guided through the Global Financial Crisis during UQ’s Centenary, and all without leaving Brisbane.

To celebrate 100 years of discovery, the Centenary Oration Series saw leading speakers from around the world discuss their work in a free community program.

More than 1400 people gathered to hear Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz speak for the largest of the events on July 26.

Professor Stiglitz was also UQ’s inaugural Rodney Wylie Eminent Visiting Fellow, an initiative created in 2009 through a gift from Mr John Wylie AM to honour his father, a well-respected University alumnus.

Centenary orators included prominent alumni Dr Penelope Wensley, the Governor of Queensland, and CEO of the Dow Chemical Company, Dr Andrew Liveris.

The Honourable Gareth Evans AO QC presented on the global nuclear threat, while UNESCO Director-General Mrs Irina Bokova discussed the importance of media freedom.

In an inspirational address, 2010 NSW Young Australian of the Year and founder of the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) Jack Manning-Bancroft talked about his passion for helping young Aboriginal people reach their potential.

Discoveries from space and the depths of our oceans were offered by Professor Jim Bell, lead scientist on the Mars Rover camera team and Dr Tony Haymet, Director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

More than 5000 people attended a Centenary oration, with many more viewing the selected lectures which were broadcast on ABC’s Big Ideas program.

To view recordings of the Centenary Oration Series, visit the Centenary website or download them via the UQ iTunesU portal.

By Cameron Pegg

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