UQ Update

UQ Update - 9 February, 2009  


The latest

Victorian bushfires

The Vice-Chancellor has expressed sympathy on behalf of the University to staff and students affected by the Victorian bushfires. See story ...

Success in Federal Government Learning and Teaching Performance Fund

Professor Deborah Terry Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is pleased to announce that UQ was awarded $2.4 million from the Federal Government Learning and Teaching Performance Fund. UQ received funding for Learning and Teaching Excellence in the discipline of Business, Law & Economics and for Improvement in three out of four discipline areas: Science, Computing, Engineering, Architecture & Agriculture; Business, Law & Economics; and Health. The funding will be used to further enhance UQ’s teaching and learning facilities, and for Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants. Professor Terry thanked and congratulated staff for their contribution. Further information here.

Have your say: Staff Giving Survey

UQ’s first University-wide staff giving survey was sent to all staff last week. The survey gives UQ staff the opportunity to nominate their preferred charities to be included in the new Workplace Giving Program. If you haven’t already completed the survey, please take two minutes of your day to complete the survey before close of business on Friday, February 13.

UQ on Australian Story

Don’t miss Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg from UQ’s Centre for Marine Studies as he discusses the future of the Great Barrier Reef on tonight’s episode of the award-winning Australian Story on ABC1 at 8pm.

Nominations open for 2009 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

The Australian Government awards five prizes annually for outstanding scientific achievements and excellence in science teaching. Each award includes grants worth $500,000 and entries close Friday, May 8. Self-nominations not considered. Details here.

AUQA Audit 2009

The University of Queensland is currently being audited by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). The audit process has commenced and preparation is underway for the site visit by the AUQA audit panel from March 30 to  April  2, 2009. Many staff and a number of students have already been involved, and contributions made so far have been valuable and are greatly appreciated. A newsletter, which highlights preparations undertaken to date and provides an overview of the audit process and timelines has been posted on the UQ Quality website. For further information, please contact Carole Tate (c.tate@uq.edu.au) or Ellen Juhasz (e.juhasz@uq.edu.au) in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Join Diversity Week activities

In Others’ Shoes is the theme of Diversity Week 2009 (May 25–29). The highlight of this year’s activities is the Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards on Thursday, May 28 (free to UQ staff, students and guests). Staff are encouraged to prepare their nominations or applications for the prestigious awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the University and its community. The awards are valued at $10,000 and $5000 for the winner and runner-up respectively. Senior staff are reminded to forward their guest lists for the 2009 Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards to Kristy Gan at k.gan@uq.edu.au. The University community is also encouraged to engage with the theme through events and activities. Applications for Diversity Week grants are available online. 

New UQ library borrowing conditions in 2009

In 2009, UQ staff and students and other library members will be able to borrow more items for a longer period. The changes apply from Sunday, February 8, 2009. Details here.

UniQuest commercialisation workshops

UQ researchers and Research Higher Degree students can learn more about getting their discoveries, inventions and expertise out to the global market at UniQuest’s annual research commercialisation workshops to be held at Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast. The workshop for Research Higher Degree students will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6. The workshop for academic research staff will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 2 and 3. Applications for both workshops are currently being accepted online. Details: ext. 54037, 0409 767 199.

St Lucia campus road closures for fun run

Intraining Event Management are holding a Twilight Fun Run on Sunday, April 5 from 3pm at the UQ Running Track. Races begin at 5.30pm and run along Sir William McGregor Drive, across the Eleanor Schonell Bridge and along the Brisbane Corso and back to the Running Track. The event is scheduled to finish at 9pm. Road closures will be in place from 2pm until 9pm on the day at the start of Sir William McGregor Drive at roundabout; the intersection of Blair Drive and Union Road, leading on to Sir William McGregor Drive; and the corner of Sir William McGregor Drive and Thynne Road. For the <b>11km half marathon</b> course map, click here, or for the 10km run/walk course map, click here.

New exhibition follows life’s journey

Fans of Margaret Olley may be surprised by what they discover if they visit the UQ Art Museum from Friday, February 6. Margaret Olley: Life's journey traces the many places the artist has lived and worked over the years, featuring many rarely exhibited works depicting locations from romantic Paris to the remote and exotic New Guinea Highlands. Read full story here.

Nanotechnology used to probe effectiveness of antibiotics

A group of researchers led by scientists from the London Centre for Nanotechnology, in collaboration with an IMB researcher, have discovered a way of using tiny nano-probes to help understand how an antibiotic is effective against bacteria. Read full story here.

Plasma screens at Ipswich campus

The Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Ipswich has provided two plasma screens on campus: Building 8 in the front display window, and in the foyer of Building 12. If you would like to place a message on one or both of the screens, please contact Jessica Freiberg via email on j.freiberg@uq.edu.au or ext 11068.

Keeping teens occupied after school

Enrolment is now open for Term 1 2009, 360 After-school program for high school students run by the UQ Boilerhouse at Ipswich campus. Courses include Acting Up, Fun ‘n’ Games, Stairway to Success, Screen Printing and Financial Literacy for Girls. All courses include free pick-up from school and prices range from free to $50 for a seven-week course. Details here,  or 3381 1532.

Other news

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.

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.

Housekeeping matters

Anti-spam measures

Email sent to the University and many associated domains will be progressively redirected through a new email spam and virus filter. The rollout period will be from February 9 and Orientation’s beginning on February 23. Please note that some legitimate email may still go to junk mail. To reduce this possibility, please click here  for information about changing settings for your email client.

Get out & about

UQSOPA events

University of Queensland Club

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

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.

Health & fitness

Healthy body, healthy mind

UQ SPORT offers an array of holistic health options through its Lifestyle program. Courses include: Dynamic Vinyasa Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Shiatsu Yoga, Raja Yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais Method and Massage for beginners. Semester 1 enrolments open on Monday, February 23. Details: lifestyle@uqsport.uq.edu.au,  ext. 56612.

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, conferences & 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.

Volunteers sought

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

New this week

Carried over


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