The latest
Everyone invited to Sir Llew’s farewell
After almost 16 years as Chancellor of UQ, Sir Llew Edwards AC retired on February 9 this year. To mark his outstanding contribution to UQ, all staff are invited to attend Sir Llew’s farewell function. It will be held in the Alumni Court (between Mansfield Place and the Great Court) on Wednesday, April 29 from 5pm-7pm. Details and to RSVP by Wednesday, April 22: click here.
Appointment of Dean, UQ Graduate School
Professor Zlatko Skrbis has been appointed Dean of the UQ Graduate School as of April 15. Professor Skrbis was Deputy Head of the School of Social Science. He joined UQ in 2001 from the Queensland University of Technology, having gained his PhD from Flinders University as an IPRS scholar. He has also been Chair of the School Postgraduate Studies Committee; co-Associate Dean (Research) for the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences with specific responsibility for the RHD portfolio; and member of the University’s Research Higher Degrees Committee.
Graduate Student Week – get involved
A biannual program of research training workshops and seminars organised by the UQ Graduate School will be held from today until Wednesday, April 22. Research Higher Degree candidates (PhD & MPhil), postgraduate coursework and Honours students are all encouraged to participate in more than 40 workshops and seminars during Graduate Student Week. See the full GSW program and register for workshops by clicking here.
Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
Nominations for the five 2009 prizes close at 5pm on Friday, May 8. The total prize pool is grants worth $500,000. Details: click here or pmprize@innovation.gov.au.
UQ student a “star intern” in Washington
While participating in an eight-week internship in a US Congressional Office in Washington DC, UQ political science student Rachel Holt got more than she bargained for – a chance meeting with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Click here to view the news footage courtesy of Channel 10 and YouTube. For more information about the internships, click here.
Don’t suffer in silence
The Employee Assistance Program is a confidential and voluntary counselling service provided to all UQ employees and their immediate families. The EAP aims to assist with the resolution of personal and work-related problems that may affect work performance or quality of life. This external counselling service is free-of-charge and facilitated by Assure programmes. Details: here or info@assureprograms.com.au or 24-hour hotline on 1800 808 374.
Lice discovery mentioned in journal
A UQ discovery on the genetic make-up of head lice has been mentioned in the Research Highlights section of the current issue of Nature under the heading “Blood Anomaly”. Paper co-author, Dr Renfu Shao, says the article is the 10th featuring a UQ discovery since the section was first introduced to the journal in May, 2005. Interestingly, in the same period, 23 letters, letters to the editor and articles by UQ researchers have been published in Nature, he says.
Out-of-control egos ruin companies
UQ Business School Professor Mat Hayward says hubris – excessive pride, presumption or arrogance – is so pervasive because confidence is needed for success in business and in life, but the line that separates supreme confidence from an out-of-control ego is razor thin and can be crossed in an instant. Read full story here.
Calling past students and staff of Dutton Park State School
Please help the school celebrate its 125th anniversary and register your interest by contacting the.principal@duttparkss.eq.edu.au or 3010 8333.
World in Focus photography competition
Run by the School of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), the competition aims to engage the UQ community on important political and global issues. Entries opened in March and the closing date for submission is July 30. The event is open to all UQ students and alumni who are not professional photographers. Winners of the competition will receive a book voucher from the Co-Op Bookshop and have an opportunity to display their work at POLSIS as well as on the school website. Details: here.
Perspectives on Muslim life: free public forum
UQ will host a free public forum from 11.30am–1pm on Thursday, April 23, at UQ Business School Downtown, L17 Central Plaza One, 345 Queen Street, Brisbane, to discuss areas of Queensland law that present difficulties for Muslims living in Queensland. Organised by Dr Ann Black from the TC Beirne School of Law’s Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law, the forum will involve a panel of local and interstate lawyers and Muslim community leaders who will share their perspectives and reflect on ways Muslims and non-Muslim Australians can harmonise both sets of laws. To register, contact g.richardson@gls.com.au or 3842 5818.
Events & UQ in the media
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Upcoming events:
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UQ in the media:
- Putting waste to good use
- Save our history
- Students plan for the future
- Lockyer a drawcard
- Engineering future
- Virus could reduce greenhouse gas emitted by livestock
- Students clean up creek
- Smiling 4 Smiddy Challenge
- Livestock gas targeted
- Sign in to the UQ Mediaclips site for more media clips.
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Other news
Date claimer: Thanksgiving Service
UQ will hold its annual Thanksgiving Service to recognise the generosity of anatomy donors, at 5.30pm on Wednesday, May 6, at the UQ Centre. Details: online.
Nominations for 2009 Riverprize open
The prestigious National and International Riverprize awards for excellence in river and catchment management are open to organisations around the world involved in the restoration and sustainable management of our precious water resources. This year, the national prize is worth $200,000, and the International Thiess Riverprize $350,000. Nominations for both close Thursday, April 30. Details: click here.
Celebration of Science
From March to December 2009, discover the rich and diverse array of scientific work undertaken at UQ through a wide range of events, activities and showcases in the Celebration of Science program. Whether you’re a community member, student, scientist, professional or alumnus, the Celebration of Science offers something for all ages and interests. Visit here for more information about events and activities throughout 2009.
Housekeeping matters
Earth Hour energy savings results
UQ joined many notable landmarks, businesses and residents across the city in turning off its lights for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28. The University achieved a 6.5 percent energy reduction during Earth Hour, with an estimated total saving of 730 kilograms of carbon dioxide. UQ thanks staff and students for their participation in the global effort to help reduce carbon consumption. Please continue to support energy conservation on campus.
Get out & about
Just for fun … tell us your favourite movie
What’s your all-time favourite flick? Let us know by emailing update@uq.edu.au and we will publish a sample of your answers in next week’s edition.
Heroism and friendship on small Indonesian island
Laskar Pelangi is the story of children in a small elementary school on Belitung, a small, northern Indonesian island. This movie is filled with heroic stories of life’s challenges, of reaching your dreams and the beauty of friendship. Three sessions will screen on Friday, April 17, in Cinema 1 at the Schonell Cinema at: 3.30pm–5.45pm; 6.15pm–7.30pm; and 8pm–10.15pm. Cost: $9 (pre-sale tickets) and $11 or $9 (student concession) at the door. Details: click here.
Health & fitness
CPR and First Aid training on campus
UQ SPORT in association with Pulsestart Training Solutions, offer Nationally Recognised CPR & First Aid training at UQ’s St Lucia campus. With qualified professional trainers, Pulsestart Training Solutions are the partner of choice for the Australian Medical Association Services Queensland. From only $60, upcoming courses will be held on April 18 and 22 and May 9 and 23. Details and enrolment: UQ SPORT website.
Study, training & development
Upcoming SI-net training
Staff may enrol for upcoming SI-net Fundamentals training sessions held between 9.30am and 12.30pm in room 102, building 33 on the following dates:
- Wednesday, April 29;
- Tuesday, May 12;
- Monday, May 25;
- Wednesday, June 10; and
- Wednesday, June 24.
UQBS Corporate Education Courses for 2009
For more information please contact UQ Business School's Corporate Education section on (07) 3346 7111 or click here.
Upcoming Staff Development courses
Places are still available in the following staff development courses:
General
Teaching & learning
Details: here.
Lectures, seminars & workshops
Achieving the Engineer of 2020
A special seminar by Dr Norman Fortenberry, Director of the Center for Advancement of Scholarship for Engineering Education, US National Academy of Engineering, Washington D.C. will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, April 21 in the level 4 seminar room, Sir James Foots Building, 47A. Norman is a key leader in education research and innovation and will speak on issues that have wider curriculum implications than just engineering. RSVP: a.lee@eng.uq.edu.au by Friday, April 17 (for catering purposes). Details: itc@uq.edu.au or 3365 4261.
Advanced Negotiation Skills
The Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (ACPACS) is offering a three-day Advanced Negotiation workshop at St Lucia campus May 11–13. UQ staff are eligible for a 20 percent discount on the workshop fee. Details: click here or acpacs.melbourne@uq.edu.au or 03 9863 2600.
Search/Match Workshop for SI-net users
A SI-net Search/Match workshop will be held from 10am–noon on Thursday, April 23, in the Senate Room. The purpose of the workshop is to explain Search/Match so duplicate ID issues can be managed more efficiently. Enrolment for this workshop is not necessary. Where possible, all SI-net users who add new people to SI-net should attend the workshop. Additional Search/Match functions will be discussed and the current Search/Match method will be revised.
ISSR Winter School Workshops
Two leading international scholars will join the Institute for Social Science Research, in cooperation with participating Schools in the Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences, to present two postgraduate workshops (known as Winter Schools) on key research themes in the social sciences. Each International Visiting Fellow will design and conduct one workshop, of five days duration, in the inter-semester break during July 2009. Details: click here.
Practical ethics seminar: a lawyer’s duties to the courts
The UQ Law Graduates Association is proud to host this one-hour seminar by His Honour Judge Searles at UQ Downtown premises, Level 19 Central Plaza One, 345 Queen Street, Brisbane, at 6pm on Wednesday, April 29. Practitioners can claim one CPD unit. Refreshments will be served following the seminar. Cost: $70.00 GST incl. Details: click here.
Q150 Constitutional Conference
The TC Beirne School of Law’s Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law and the Supreme Court of Queensland Library are proud to host the Q150 Constitutional Conference on the theme “Queensland Constitution at 150: Origins and Evolution”. The conference will be held at the Queensland Legislative Council Chamber, Queensland, Parliament House, George Street, Brisbane on May 29, followed by a dinner in the Strangers Dining Room. The conference will bring together several leading experts to discuss the origins, historical development and future of the Queensland Constitution. CPD points are available to conference attendees. Details: click here.
Volunteers sought
Please note entries remain for two Updates unless further requests received. Thank you.
New this week
- People aged 18–45 with chronic neck pain to undertake one supervised exercise session and a MRI exam of their neck at the Wesley Hospital.
Details: j.elliott2@uq.edu.au or 3365 4529
- Men aged 50–80, with at least two years driving experience, normal or corrected vision, and not susceptible to motion sickness for an obstacle avoidance driving task using a shuttle car simulator.
Details: Catherine.Hayward@uqcpnnect.edu.au
- Physically active people without low back pain aged 18–32 years for a study on balance and spinal control conducted at Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital, Herston.
Details: j.gildea@uq.edu.au
- Parents of children aged 18 months to four years who would like free professional assistance with feeding and mealtime difficulties.
Details: m.adamson@psy.uq.edu.au or 3346 7814
Carried over
- Participants aged 40 yrs and over for the “Fun for Life” study, aimed at improving physical function, balance, and preventing falls.
Details: m.hegarty1@uq.edu.au or ext. 69870 or j.nitz@uq.edu.au or ext. 52791
- Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome to participate in a clinical trial evaluating non-surgical interventions.
Details: carpaltunnel@uq.edu.au or 3365 4692
- People who have experienced tennis elbow pain for at least six weeks.
Details: tenniselbow@uq.edu.au or 3365 4692
From the editor
News for UQ Update should be forwarded to update@uq.edu.au by Friday morning for the following Monday's bulletin. Inquiries can be directed to OMC on 3365 1931. Items should be no longer than seven lines. Thank you.
Go to the archive section if you would like to see previous versions of UQ Update.
Other campus news: UQ News, UQ Ipswich and UQ Gatton.
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