Over 2000 University of Queensland students are working with charities, nationally and overseas to raise much needed funds, as part of the Teamwork in Action (TIA) program.
To encourage the concept of teamwork between health professions, first-year UQ Health Sciences students work with students from different disciplines to plan and implement fundraising ventures for charities such as Deaf Services QLD and Guide Dogs QLD.
TIA Coordinator Neville Smith said while technical skills and knowledge will be key for these future health professionals, learning about emotions, learning to listen and to interact well at a personal level will enable them to be more effective health care providers.
“It’s been amazing to see just how far reaching the benefits have been. Two teams of students have launched a project, Medical Aid Project to raise funds to support a medical clinic caring for one of the poorest communities in the Himalayan mountains,” he said.
Over the last three months, activities students have engaged in to support their chosen charities include organizing yoga and other recreational activities with nursing home residents, recruiting hundreds of new blood donors, volunteering at soup kitchens, working with young children and migrants and raising awareness of a wide range health issues, including cancer, mental health and sexually transmitted diseases.
As part of the Teamwork in Action (TIA) program, more than 500 students will highlight the work of their charities at a Health Fair Day at UQ’s Ipswich and St Lucia campuses.
Activities include tackling the Fred Hollows Foundation obstacle course wearing glasses simulating a visual impairment, as well as the experience of being supported by a guide dog from Guide Dogs Queensland and surf safety with Surf Life Saving Queensland.
The Heath Fair Days will enable students to come together with health-focused charities and interact with the broader UQ community to engage them in the charity’s message.
For more information:http://www.uq.edu.au/health/tia
Event Details
Faculty of Health Sciences Health Fair Days
UQ Ipswich Campus: Friday 11th May 2012 (10-2pm)
UQ St Lucia Campus: Wednesday 16th May 2012 (10-2pm)
Footage and Photo Opportunities
Ipswich
10-2pm
- Mini Park2Park event where students are running for their chosen charity
- Rosies will be giving coffee and tea from their branded van
- Guide Dogs for the blind will be there with instructors and their dogs
St Lucia
10-2pm
-Heart Foundation jump rope for heart demonstration
-Rosies will be giving coffee and tea from their branded van
-Brisbane Lifesaving will be doing a demonstration about swimming safety
-Billy the Blood Drop mascot
Media Contacts:
Ipswich Event: Neville Smith, TIA Coordinator, University Queensland, 0437 603187 or n.smith4@uq.edu.au
St Lucia Event: Kirsten Rogan, Communications and Media, University of Queensland Faculty of Health Sciences, 07 3346 4713, 0412307594 or k.rogan@uq.edu.au
