UQ Update

UQ Update - 2 February, 2009  


The latest

New SBS Faculty Executive Dean

Professor David de Vaus will begin as the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences’ Executive Dean from June. Professor de Vaus is currently Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University, a position he has held since August 2006. A Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences, Australia, his areas of specialisation include family sociology, intergenerational relations, life course transitions, families and health.

Get onboard the Q150 Train

To help Queensland celebrate its 150th year, UQ is sponsoring a heritage-listed steam train which will travel to more than 30 communities between April and August this year (see the Q150 website for location details). OMC Marketing staff are seeking story ideas for press releases and giveaways for when the train visits communities throughout the State. Details: j.greig@uq.edu.au, ext. 53374.

New anti-spam measures

ITS will be rolling out new anti-spam measures from Monday, February 9, finishing before Orientation Week. In one day, the University typically receives about 280,000 email messages of which 170,000 are rated as spam, with some areas receiving up to 90 percent spam. The new measures will reduce the risk and annoyance of spam and viruses in email.

New IT course inspired by iPhone

Offered for the first time in March, COMP 3000 (Designing Mobile Applications) will challenge students to create programs for mobile devices such as phones, organisers and PDAs, and is believed to be the first university course of its type in the country. Read full story here.

A new recipe for recruiting success

They’re among the most needed workers in Australia, and now UQ research has uncovered why chefs may be so difficult to recruit and retain. In a recent report, Employing Chefs in Queensland, UQ School of Tourism researchers Dr Charles Arcodia and Richard Robinson suggest the content and listing of job vacancy ads may need greater attention. Read full story here.

UQ choir prepares for Australian premiere

UQ’s scientists are not the only ones leading the nation, with the University’s oldest choir featuring a southern hemisphere premiere in its 2009 season. The Queensland University Musical Society (QUMS) will present the Australian premiere of Karl Jenkins’ Te Deum for choir and orchestra, together with the Queensland premiere of the same composer’s Requiem, in a concert at St John's Anglican Cathedral on May 23. Read full story here.

Car parking spaces for sale at King’s College

King’s College has four car parks available for first semester 2009 at a cost of $350 each. Details: s.young@kings.uq.edu.au, 3871 9826.

Other news

Australia Day recognition

Congratulations to all UQ staff, alumni and students who have received Australia Day honours, or who have become Australia Day ambassadors or new Australian citizens. Read the story so far here.  The Office of Marketing and Communications is compiling a list of Australia Day honours recipients and would appreciate your help in compiling the most accurate list. Please forward details to communications@uq.edu.au.

Senate committee vacancies

Expressions of interest are invited for the following vacancies on the Senate Committee for Equity, Diversity and The Status of Women: Chair, Gender Equity Subcommittee (GESC); Chair, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, and Indigenous Australians Subcommittee (CALDIA); and representatives of the parent Committee on each of its three subcommittees, (Disability, CALDIA, GESC). Details from the Equity website. Nominations should be sent to equity@uq.edu.au by COB Friday, February 13.

Orientation Week

Aimed at helping new students settle into University life, Orientation Week, this year to be held from Monday, February 23, until Friday, February 27, will feature a packed program of information sessions and fun activities, including Market Day on Wednesday, February 25. Lectures commence on Monday, March 2. Details on the Orientation website.

Diversity Week 2009

“In Others' Shoes” will be the theme for The University of Queensland’s Diversity Week held from May 25 until May 29. Details on the Diversity Week website.

Housekeeping matters

UQ Printery changes

Following a decision by the Vice-Chancellor late last year, the operations and management of the UQ Printery are to be outsourced to a joint venture partnership of Oce/Blue Star from February 16 this year. Printing requirements from the UQ Printery up to and including February 13 can be ordered using the Printery Internal Services and Supply form. Please contact Joe Pembroke ext. 57287 or Karen Mourilyan ext. 54465 if you require a form and an ISC revenue entry will be processed. From February 16, the new printing contractor will require a purchase order as an external supplier from UniFi.

Changes to permit parking at UQ

As a result of the recent Review of Parking Arrangements at University Sites, Red Zone Parking areas were progressively closed during January 2009. Red Zone permit holders are offered an opportunity to park in the Multi-level carparks until Friday, February 13, 2009, at no extra charge. To take up this offer please visit the Traffic & Parking office (Multi-level Carpark 2, Building 98B) to collect an access card. For 2009 Permit fees please click here. For a copy of the Parking Review please click here.

Get out & about

UQSOPA events

University of Queensland Club

The Club’s restaurant reopens on Tuesday, February 3, with a new wine list and menu. For the month of February, the Club is offering members $2 coffees from 7.30am–10.30am, Monday–Friday.  Upcoming Club events include:

Intellectual leanings

Retired UQ staff and those approaching retirement may be interested in joining the Probus Club of St Lucia East. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month (February to November) in the Indooroopilly Library at Shoppingtown. Members include not only retired UQ staff but other residents of the local community, with meetings featuring guest speakers on a variety of social, historic and scientific topics. Details: Dr Pat Gunn p.gunn@uq.edu.au, 3871 3967

More days to see a movie

Films at the Schonell Cinema include Bustin’ Down the Door, Before the Rains, Vicki Cristina Barcelona and I’ve loved you so long. To kick off a new year, session days have been extended to include Thursdays and Mondays as well as Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for January and early February. Details: http://www.schonell.com/.

Study, training & development

Upcoming Staff Development courses

Places are still available in the following staff development courses:

Teaching & Learning

General

Details: http://www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/

Discounted courses for IML's 75th Anniversary celebrations

In 2009, IML will offer 83 different courses in 26 languages. If you are a UQ staff member who has not enrolled in an IML course before, be one of the 75 lucky people to enrol before Friday, February 13, 2009 and receive a 10 percent discount. Courses and offer details: www.iml.uq.edu.au.

Discrimination and Harassment Contact Officer training

Staff who have an understanding of and commitment to social justice principles and a high level of discretion are invited to apply for a two-day course on February 12 and 13. DHCOs can be a first point of contact for people with inquiries about University policies and procedures related to discrimination and harassment (including sexual harassment and bullying). Visit the website for more information and to enrol.

Looking for a better way to communicate?

The Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (ACPACS) is offering professional development training in Mediation from March 2–6 at St Lucia campus. UQ staff are eligible for a 20 percent discount for the five-day intensive workshop. Details: acpacs.melbourne@uq.edu.au or 03 9863 2600

UQ Business School’s executive education courses for 2009

Register your interest now for Executive Leadership courses. Details: www.business.uq.edu.au/execed, execed@business.uq.edu.au or 3346 7104

Lectures, seminars & workshops

Fitzgerald Inquiry revisited

To mark the 20th anniversary of the submission of the Fitzgerald Report to State Parliament, UQ’s School of Journalism and Communication is holding a one-day, free symposium on the role of investigative journalism in the recent past, present and future, from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, March 7, at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Bookings essential. Details: Katie.petersen@uq.edu.au, ext.53268.

Call for papers for 2009 Blended Learning Conference and event

The University of Hertfordshire’s Blended Learning Unit and the UK Higher Education Academy, in association with the University of Calgary and UQ have announced the Fourth International Blended Learning Conference “Engaging Students in the Curriculum”. UQ will hold a one-day Blended Learning Conference and Event on June 18. The deadline for abstract submissions (UQ staff) is February 6. Details: Call for Papers – UQ Blended Learning Conference.

Volunteers sought

Entries remain for three updates unless further requests received. Thank you.

New this week

Carried over


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