UQ Contact magazine app for iPad goes live
This is the second app the Office of Marketing and Communications has produced, following the successful launch of the UQ News app in October this year. The app is available from the Apple iTunes App Store for download onto your iPad. Please click here (while on your iPad) to download the app. Alternatively, you can search "uq contact" in the App Store to install the Contact magazine app. Your feedback on the UQ Contact app is always welcome. You are also welcome to get in touch with the OMC Publications team with any story ideas for future editions of Contact. Email publications@uq.edu.au or Prue McMillan, Publications Manager.
Post Occupancy Evaluations on UQ construction and rehabilitation projects
Over the past 10 years, UQ has had 256,750m2 of new space constructed. To achieve good design and function of its buildings, and to ascertain the benefits to building occupants, Property & Facilities Division (P&F) will now conduct Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POEs) on all large construction and rehabilitation projects. POEs will be undertaken 12 months after construction is complete and all feedback is appreciated.
30-year study uncovers linkages between mothers and their children's health
University researchers have been documenting the lives of mothers and their children for over 30 years to uncover the role genetic and environmental factors have on mental illness, substance abuse and heart disease. The team of researchers, led by UQ's School of Population Health and School of Social Science Professor Jake Najman, said their latest study was investigating the causes of common mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and substance use. Read more.
U21 Summer Housing Grant
Lund University in Sweden has announced the above grant worth approximately SEK 10,000 ($1444 AUD), in honour of its former Director, Marianne Granfelt. The grant includes rent for housing in Lund provided by Lund University Accommodation for a period of one–four weeks between 15 June and 15 August 2013. Staff members or PhD students from a U21 partner university are eligible to apply. Applicants should already have a contact person at Lund University. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2013, with successful applicants notified via email by 28 February 2013. For more information and/or to apply, please email Anne Messeter. The application should include a Letter of Invitation or Letter of Support from Lund University stating the purpose of the work to be done while in Lund. A personal letter stating what kind of housing is required should also be included.
UQ to play Sydney University for Australian Club Championship
The Sydney Football Stadium will host the annual Australian Club Championship next year as UQ look to emulate their efforts over Sydney University last year. The last time these two teams faced each other, the Heavies won 42–26 at Ballymore, and the game was notable for following the Queensland floods which devastated much of the University campus. The game will take place on Sunday, 24 March, ahead of the Queensland Premier Rugby season kicking off. Kick-off time is yet to be announced.
Talk to me! The importance of good communication in science and research
The Translational Research Institute (TRI) at Woolloongabba is hosting a seminar with guest speakers Professor Ian Frazer, Dr Fiona McMillan, Dr Fiona Simpson, and professional public speaker Mr Jock Elliott, on Wednesday 19 December 2012 between 2pm and 4.45pm. The venue is the TRI Auditorium on Level 2, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba. RSVP to manu.trabi@uq.edu.au.
Last UQ Update for 2012
Please note today's Update is the final edition for 2012. The newsletter will resume weekly publication from Monday, 21 January 2013. The copy deadline for this edition will be noon of the previous Thursday, 17 January 2013. The UQ Update team within the Office of Marketing and Communications would like to thank you for your support throughout 2012 and wish you a happy and safe festive season and wonderful new year.
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STUDENT LIFECYCLE PROJECT (SLP)
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Class Timetabling Project update
The Class Timetabling Project released the Draft Timetable for Semester One, 2013, on Monday, 10 December. School and faculty timetabling staff are currently working with the Project Team to make adjustments to this draft in preparation for release to students in mid-January in time for QTAC offers. Adjustments and changes to the draft will further assist staff understand Syllabus Plus, by taking into consideration location usage, staff availability, student load, appropriate spread of teaching activities, available choices of program activities and correct location assignment for all modes of delivery. As is the case every year, there will still be room for last-minute and unforeseen adjustments to be made before classes commence. Historical timetabling patterns also reveal changes to the timetable will occur responsively right throughout the semester.
Staff support acknowledged
The Project Team has been working hard to produce a timetable and is grateful for the support, serious effort and assistance from many levels at the University. Staff involved include timetabling and course coordinators, school managers, student administration managers, heads of schools, FEOs, Teaching Space Management and the Class Timetabling Project Steering Committee, as well as the Student Lifecycle Project Steering Committee which has overseen the enhancement of the student experience at UQ. Bringing the rafts of knowledge together into one central repository such as Syllabus Plus has been an enormous task for anyone involved with the Project. We thank everyone for their effort. Please contact the Project Team if you have any questions. Business Analysts: ext. 60670; Communications: ext. 66886; and Project Manager: ext. 51087.
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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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Are you dreaming of a green Christmas?
The holiday period can be a period of excessive dining, shopping and spending. Each Christmas, the amount of waste to landfill increases substantially. There are many ways that the festive season can be enjoyed sustainably without being a "Scrooge". Think about decorating sustainably, purchasing gifts, cards and wrap with a low carbon footprint and dining on sustainable foods. Check out this week's Eco Tips on how to go green this Christmas and consider making a New Year's resolution to reduce your personal carbon footprint.
Eco Tips – How can I go green this Christmas?
- Go for quality not quantity.
- Re-use the same Christmas decorations and wrapping paper.
- Set your Christmas lights to a timer and replace older bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.
- Make a point of recycling what can't be reused.
- Take reusable bags to the store and say no to plastic bags.
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LIFESTYLE
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Kittens need your help
The Kittens on Campus program, run by cat-loving volunteers at UQ, has been rescuing unwanted kittens from UQ campuses for two years now and currently has two female kittens (not those pictured above but just as cute) – Noelle and Vixen – in need of "forever" or foster homes. The kittens are health-checked, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms, socialised and desexed. Foster carers receive supplies to help them care for kittens but donated goods are also needed, in particular litter trays, toys, scratching posts, cat litter, bedding, food and water bowls. Food and vaccinations are sponsored by Hills Pet Nutrition and Boehringer Ingelheim. If you can help with these kittens, please contact Sarah Zito or to view the kittens and other animals available for adoption through UQ, click here or visit a specially created Facebook site.
Veterinary care over Christmas/New Year
At the Small Animal Clinic and Veterinary Teaching Hospital (SAC and VTH), UQ St Lucia, the health of your family pets will be looked after over the Christmas/New Year holidays. On Monday 24, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 December, the SAC and VTH will be open from 9.30am until 4.30pm. The Clinic will reopen at the usual times (8am–6pm) from Wednesday, 2 January 2013. Outside of these times, emergencies only will be catered for by the dedicated veterinarians, specialists and nurses of the Western Animal Emergency Centre (WAEC). This is a 24-hour service. The Small Animal Clinic and Veterinary Teaching Hospital is located in Therapies Road. Keep the phone number handy – it is the same for both clinic and emergency services and is (07) 3365 2110.
Enabling people to enhance their lives
The UQ Health and Rehabilitation Clinics (UQHRC) offer individualised, comprehensive assessment and treatment to paediatric and adult clients to enhance the quality of their lives. The UQHRC has been offering specialised services in audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology for more than three decades on the St Lucia Campus. The clinics operate year round and are open to the public. Inquiries can be made via the web or by calling reception at (07) 3365 2232.
Schonell Catering and Events "pop-up store" on campus
Having serviced the UQ Community for over 20 years, Schonell Catering and Events are usually hidden behind the scenes on campus. Now, for a limited time only, they have set up shop in the UQU Complex and invite you in to discuss any of your catering requirements. With an extensive variety of platters, conference packages, working lunches and more, they have experienced event planners and support staff who can cater for any function or event, anywhere on campus. Stop in to meet the team who are located on the corner next to the Lollyshop. Or view their catering and conference menu at www.schonellevents.com.au.
Aspie Support
Aspie Support is for adults on the Autism Spectrum. The group provides support and advice in a non-threatening location. The next meeting is at 10.30am on Saturday, 22 December at the Toowong Uniting Church. This will be the last meeting for the year. Click here for more information.
Free help for parents of children with asthma or eczema.
Would you like to learn more about managing your child’s behavior or anxiety, or their illness? Positive Parenting for Healthy Living Triple P offers simple strategies in two x two-hour group sessions. The program is free of charge to eligible parents of children aged 3−10 years as part of a research study. Visit the study website, contact Amy Mitchell on (07) 3365 7305 or email healthyliving@uq.edu.au for more information.
Asthma-prevention trial – child participants needed
Are you pregnant or have a child younger than nine months old? Do you or your partner have allergies? Do you have asthma in your family? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, your child may be able to participate in a study to try and prevent asthma. The Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute is conducting a trial using a medicine called OM-85 to prevent asthma in children. OM-85 are oral drops that prime the immune system so that the body can respond quickly to infections and reduce damage to the lungs to prevent asthma from developing. If you are interested in participating or want further information, please contact Julie Varghese on (07) 3636 1283 or Catherine Gangell on (07) 3636 4074. Visit the study website and follow the Quick Links.
UQ Wellness
The UQ Wellness website provides a wide range of health and wellbeing resources. If you have any suggestions for the website, please contact Maryse Scott.
- Yoga – Join any time – Monday 4.45pm–5.45pm; AIBN Building (L1 Seminar Room). Six-week course $60 (eight weeks to use.). Contact Dr Vivek Mitter.
- Boxing for fitness – Join any time – Excellent cardio workout! Options – Tuesday (morning/afternoon) and Thursday (morning) in Alumni Court. Six-week course $60 (eight weeks to use). Contact Kerri Tyrell.
- St Lucia campus walking groups – Join any time – On your fourth walk, receive your "walker's pack". Monday/Friday afternoons 3.10pm – Rosalba; Tuesday/Thursday afternoons 5.10pm – Ian; Wednesday mornings 8am – Tegan.
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DEVELOPMENT
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eLearning workshops
eLearning Workshops ITS are offering a range of practical workshops on eLearning tools throughout 2013. For a description of each workshop, dates and to register, visit the Staff Development website.
New Horizons 2013
Applications are now being accepted for the New Horizons Program 2013. New Horizons is a comprehensive career advancement program for women at HEW levels 1–7, delivered over six months. Applications close on 8 February 2013.
From raw sequencing data to a functional annotated genome
In January, Queensland Facility for Advanced Informatics (QFAB) and the University will host the 5th International Course in Automated Functional Annotation. This three-day workshop, to be held from 21 January until 23 January in the Sir James Foots Building, is designed for genomics researchers who are looking for user-friendly tools to analyse large sequencing datasets, and will cover the principles and practical aspects of automated functional annotation of sequence data. No previous knowledge of bioinformatics analysis techniques is needed. For more details and to register, email m.crowe@qfab.org.
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Healthy volunteers for study measuring grip strength and body awareness
Healthy volunteers are needed for a study measuring grip strength and body awareness. We need people aged 40–70 with no current pain and no history of tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome or serious foot, neck or arm pain. The study is at the St Lucia campus and will take less than one hour. Parking costs will be reimbursed and $20 provided towards travel costs. Details: Liezel Plumbe.
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Ethnic groups in Australia – an online study
Are you an Australian with Anglo-Celtic ancestors (English/Welsh/Scottish/Irish)? Please share with us your opinions about the hot topic of immigration in Australia. This is a simple study with multiple-choice answers that takes 15 minutes to complete (on your own computer at home). To get the link to the survey, please contact Borja Martinovic.
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