US foundation opens

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Tags: alumni, America, international, strategy, summer-2011

The UQ in America Foundation has been established to boost alumni relations and philanthropy

The University of Queensland has officially launched its new American strategy at a special event at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.

The function in June, which also formed part of the Global Challenges Lecture Series, coincided with the opening of a new University office on 15th Street, with dedicated staff to facilitate and support the University’s engagement initiatives in the USA.

The move comes as UQ advances its international agenda to expand linkages and partnerships with American businesses, government bodies, universities and alumni.

The University’s strategy in the USA will encourage and support research collaboration and commercialisation, foster student exchange, and rally the support of UQ’s USA-based community of alumni and friends.

The University of Queensland is currently involved in more than 2300 research projects with collaborators in more than 50 countries, $43 million of which involve a USA-based partner.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the strategy signalled the serious commitment of the University to deepening its collaboration with its USA partners.

“The new office in Washington DC will support us to build strategic research and educational collaborations and increase student and staff exchange with our American partners,” Professor Greenfield said.

“We want to continue to be a university that is connected with the global community and one that addresses the issues that are impacting on today’s world.

“To do this, we are strengthening our connections in America and establishing The University of Queensland in America Foundation as a separate entity, which will be dedicated to supporting the University in delivering excellence in teaching and the perpetuation of cutting edge research and discovery.”

(From left): Secretary of UQ in America Karen Van Sacker, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Advancement) Clare Pullar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Dr Anna Ciccarelli, Professor Paul Greenfield, Professor Debbie Terry and Associate Director (Education) UQ Washington DC Office Jen Nielsen outside the foundation building

The mission of The University of Queensland in America Foundation is to encourage sustained philanthropic support from alumni and friends, with the foundation established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organisation.

“Strategic philanthropy has enabled The University of Queensland to dramatically increase its capacity to contribute to global problem-solving through support of the University’s eight research institutes and to offer life-changing education to the best and brightest students regardless of their background,” Professor Greenfield said.

“Truly great global universities have significant philanthropic engagement from their alumni and friends. A key factor leading to The University of Queensland’s success is due to our philanthropic supporters who have engaged their networks across the globe.”
The inaugural Chair of the foundation is the Chairman and CEO of Dow Dr Andrew Liveris.

Dr Liveris graduated from UQ with first-class honours in chemical engineering in 1975, and joined The Dow Chemical Company’s Australian offices in 1976. Throughout his career, Dr Liveris has maintained strong links with the University and was its 2005 Alumnus of the Year.

The Global Challenges Leadership event in Washington DC featured Director of UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Professor Robert Henry, who spoke about food security and biofuels.

In attendance were members of the UQ senior executive, American alumni and partners, and guests including former Premier Peter Beattie, who is an advisor and guest lecturer at Clemson University in South Carolina.

To learn more about The University of Queensland in America Foundation, contact Karen Van Sacker – k.vansacker@uq.edu.au

By Kathy Grube

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