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UQ Update
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Student Lifecycle Project Events Sustainability Lifestyle Development Volunteers Sought
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Uni Aquatic Centre back in the swim
UQ Sport are happy to announce the re-opening of the UQ Aquatic Centre and David Theile pool. A little over 12 months ago, the UQ Aquatic Centre was swamped by the Brisbane flood but will be open and available for "business as usual" as of today. The pool will operate on the summer timetable and continue to provide a wide range of water sports including learn-to-swim classes, squad training, water polo, triathlon training and lap-swimming. The centre consists of two pools: a 50-metre, outdoor, heated pool and a small enclosed heated teaching pool (pictured above). The main pool is a 50m lap pool with a minimum of three lanes dedicated to public lap-swimming. Details and opening hours: Aquatic Centre website.
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UQ women's fellowship hailed as lifeline
Dr Catherine Curtis (pictured above) is a recent winner of a UQ Postdoctoral Fellowship for Women – an opportunity she says was a lifeline for her interrupted career as a scholar of early modern political thought. Dr Curtis, a Cambridge University, graduate, studied under Regius Professor of History, Quentin Skinner, widely regarded as the world's leading authority on early modern political thought. Dr Curtis said: "Without this opportunity, provided by UQ, I would have considered abandoning my academic career." One of Dr Curtis' referees, Professor David Armitage of Harvard University, said: "Here is a case where outstanding merit and compelling need coincide exactly with an imaginative opportunity and with institutional generosity." Read the full story online.
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New Staff Expo
All new staff are invited to the New Staff Expo which will be held on Tuesday, February 14. The expo includes a welcome by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debbie Terry. The New Staff Expo opens at 9am with formalities ending at 10.30am. Morning tea will be served and attendees will have an opportunity to browse more than 30 stalls to gain information about the facilities and services available to UQ staff. Register online for the New Staff Expo or email your enrolment request to staffdev@uq.edu.au.
Call for applications for the 2012 Fryer Library Award
The above award aims to provide successful applicants with institutional support at the Library, to undertake research in Australian literature, history and culture utilising the collections of the Fryer Library. Applications are invited in the following areas: Indigenous studies; History of architecture; Art and design; Theatre and literary studies; Australian history and political culture; and Women’s studies. The award is worth $10,000. Applications close Friday, March 2, 2012. Click here for more details.
UQ academics benefit from international teaching experts
The Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) recently hosted internationally renowned workshop facilitators, Dr Richard Felder and Dr Rebecca Brent. Faculty of EAIT Associate Dean (Academic), Professor Caroline Crosthwaite, said UQ was privileged to welcome the internationally renowned engineering educators and North Carolina State University academics to its St Lucia campus. Read the full story online.
School of Economics conference coup
The School of Economics will host the 2012 International Schumpeter Society Conference from July 2–5 this year – the first time the Schumpeter conference has been hosted in Australia. Leading economists will gather in Brisbane to focus on the evolution of economic systems, through innovation, entrepreneurship and competitive processes, as the core themes. Society President, Professor John Foster from UQ's School of Economics, said he was delighted to showcase the School and the University at the conference. Read the full story online.
The referee does need glasses after all!
Want to know why sports' fans get so worked up when they think the referee has wrongly called their team's pass forward, their player offside, or their serve as a fault? Research from the School of Psychology and the Queensland Brain Institute found people actually see their team's actions in a different way than they see those of other teams. The study, which was published in the journal Human Brain Mapping and featured in New Scientist last week, randomly divided volunteers into blue and red teams and let them judge the relative speeds of hand actions performed by the team they support, and their opponents, in a competitive situation. Read the full story online.
Early action tipped to save tonnes of Aussie avocados
Researchers at UQ's Queensland Alliance for Food and Agriculture (QAAFI) have acted swiftly to ensure Australia's next $180 million avocado crop won't be crippled by a fungus. The popular fruit is susceptible to several fungal diseases but a study by QAAFI plant pathologist Dr Liz Dann has isolated and identified a potentially devastating new avocado pathogen which causes severe root problems, particularly in young trees. Read the full story online.
World's first internship platform
Academic and industry professionals seeking interns can get ranked based on their popularity among university students as well as leadership ability in their areas of expertise and use it to boost resumes. Find Your Internship, developed by a UQ PhD student, also allows users to sort out the best interns within seconds with pre-set and customised criteria. Users can sign up using LinkedIn or Facebook thereby avoiding email spam. Details: online or Nilay Thakar or 0403 253 519.
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STUDENT LIFECYCLE PROJECT (SLP)
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What will the new UQ exams system do for me?
A new UQ exams system is being introduced to UQ this year. The aim is to better support staff and students of the University. The new system, delivered by Databee, has a number of benefits including: scheduling large examinations early in the exam period to ensure maximum marking time; linking courses across multiple campuses; and accommodating special room requirements, such as audio-visual. The system also produces a personalised exam timetable for students, which was not available with the previous system. Read more here.
Staff briefings on the Student Lifecycle Project
A distinctive student experience is one of the key components of the UQ Advantage. Since 2010, the Student Lifecycle Project has been working to improve the student experience at UQ. All staff are invited to attend a briefing by Professor Debbie Terry on the achievements to date and future initiatives of the Student Lifecycle Project.
- Wednesday, February 8, 2pm–3pm, Building 63, Room 360
- Thursday, February 9, 2pm–3pm, Building 63, Room 360
- Monday, February 13, 11am–noon, Building 63, Room 360
Sessions for Gatton and Ipswich will held later in the year.
New exams' management system information sessions
Information sessions will be conducted across the St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses to provide instructions for academic and school administrative staff involved with exam processes. Registration is not required. Sessions will be held as follows: St Lucia – Thursday, February 9, Physiology Lecture Theatres (Bldg 63), room 348, 2pm to 4pm; or Monday, February 13, Physiology Lecture Theatres (Bldg 63), room 348, 2pm to 4pm; or Wednesday, February 15, Forgan Smith Building (Bldg 1), room E109, 10am to noon; Ipswich – Tuesday, February 7, Building 6212, room 116, 10am to noon, or 1pm to 3pm; Gatton – Tuesday, February 14, Building 8117, room 106, 10am to noon or 1pm to 3pm. Details: Examinations Section or phone ext. 52488.
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Upcoming Events
More UQ events » |
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UQ in the media
The Media Monitors service provides a broad collection of external media articles where UQ is referred to. This information is gathered and updated daily.
For more information and to view the latest UQ in the Media information, please visit the UQ Mediaclips site.
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SUSTAINABILITY
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UQ's Land for Wildlife
Did you know that the University has two registered Land for Wildlife areas with a third area at Gatton planned for registration in coming months? In 2008, the Indooroopilly Mine became UQ's first registered Land for Wildlife campus, providing an inner urban bushland sanctuary for wildlife. The St Lucia lakes precinct is also a Land for Wildlife site with a landscape designed to attract and support native wildlife. Find out more about the Land for Wildlife program online.
EcoTip – How can I support native wildlife?
- Keep any pets in a secured area.
- Plant native species endemic to the local area in your garden.
- Avoid pesticides and fertilisers near habitat areas and waterways.
- Do not feed native wildlife.
- Learn more about the habitat needs of wildlife in your area.
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LIFESTYLE
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Kittens at UQ need your help
The Kittens on Campus Program, run by a group of cat-loving volunteers at UQ, has been rescuing unwanted kittens from the UQ campuses for two years now. They are continuing to work to save the kittens and find them "forever homes" but help is needed. After the kittens have been health-checked, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms, they are placed in foster homes to be cared for and socialised until they are big enough to be desexed and go to new homes. People who are willing to help with fostering these adorable kittens and who are interested in adopting one of our kittens are desperately needed. If you can help us with these kittens, please contact Sarah Zito or Nicole Laird or the Centre for Companion Animal Health on 07 3365 2122.
Make 2012 your year to get fit and healthy
UQ Wellness health and wellbeing options for each campus are provided here. Please email Vicki with suggestions and ideas for additional health and wellbeing options. Start a six-week yoga class ($60) at St Lucia or Herston; have eight weeks to use the six lessons with the flexibility to join at any time. Contact Vivek. Start a six-week boxing for fitness class ($60) at St Lucia or Herston – have eight weeks to use the six lessons with the flexibility to join at any time. Contact Kerri. A 13-week series of Weight Watchers At Work begins on Tuesday, February 14. There's a possibility of two meetings depending on numbers so if you are hoping to manage your weight and would like the support of others, please contact Barbara Mark, Weight Watchers Leader, for all the details. Don't delay – many current members have experienced great success.
Book a table at Customs House online
UQ staff, students and alumni receive a 10 percent discount on meals at the beautiful Customs House restaurant and you can secure a table for five people or less online as well as check out the latest menus. Should you wish to make a reservation for more than six guests, please call Customs House on ext. 58921. To claim the UQ discount, customers will need to complete a form at the restaurant using name, date of birth and degree (graduates); staff ID with employee number (staff); or student card (students).
Latest arty additions
On until March 25, The UQ Art Museum is showcasing "NEW 2011: Selected recent acquisitions" featuring a selection of artworks acquired for The University of Queensland Art Collection during 2011. The exhibition highlights the University’s active acquisition program, which continues a tradition of acquiring innovative artworks that respond to the contemporary moment. Also featured are works from earlier periods, which enter the collection primarily through donations (including gifts under the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program), donations and bequests. Works range in media, and address subjects such as the environment, cultural history, abstraction, and the self. Click here for more details.
Feisty hired hand
The Women on the 6th Floor, a new film showing at the Schonell Theatre, is set in 1960s Paris. Wealthy stockbroker Jean-Louis Jouvert, who lives a staid, bourgeois existence with his perfectly presented socialite wife are enchanted, as is everyone else in their building, when Maria, a new, young, hardworking, Spanish maid arrives on the scene. Maria rallies the friendship of the other servants on the sixth floor with wild, cross-cultural chaos the inevitable result. Click here for more details.
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DEVELOPMENT
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Do you find statistics overwhelming?
If you do, don't despair – the School of Nursing and Midwifery offers an Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care for students and health professionals of all professsions designed to develop a foundational understanding of statistical concepts and methods related to evidence for healthcare. Bookings are now open. Courses run in June. Details: online.
New eLearning tools available for UQ course instructors
A range of new eLearning tools for UQ course instructors was released by Teaching and Learning Support over the summer break. Details: online.
Staff development opportunities
Places are still available in the following courses:
Professional
Teaching & learning
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Breast cancer/lymphoedema study
We are conducting a study to determine the relationship between the underlying anatomical changes associated with arm lymphoedema and the commonly used clinical measures. Volunteers are sought with any degree of lymphoedema from very mild to severe, to attend a measurement session at The University of Queensland and/or Mater Private Hospital. The study involves any combination of MRI and DXA imaging, bioimpedance spectroscopy, nuclear medicine and simple arm volume measurements. Reimbursement will be provided for your time and travel expenses. Feedback on testing will be provided if desired. Details: Bridget Abell on 0430 336 244.
Sound experiment
Participants over the age of 18 are needed to complete a sound and picture experiment. The task involves listening to and evaluating a variety of sounds and pictures. The study is very easy and takes approximately 45 minutes. Upon completion of the task, $10 will be received. Please email Maria if interested.
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Acute back pain study
You are invited to participate in a study of the mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic back pain. If you have hurt your back in the past month, and it is the first time you have injured your back, you may able to help with this study. Participants must be aged 18–55. Details: Emma Jones.
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Getting news into UQ Update
Please lodge all items for UQ Update through our request form. Items must be submitted by noon on Thursday to be included in the following Monday issue. Enquiries can be directed to OMC on 3365 2802.
Previous Issues
All previous issues of UQ Update can be viewed online in the archive section.
Other campus news: UQ News, UQ Ipswich and UQ Gatton.
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