UQ Update

UQ Update - 15 October, 2007  


The latest

Quick action … suspected horse flu at Gatton campus

The University has advised the Department of Industries and Fisheries that horses at the Gatton campus showed signs of equine influenza. More......

Getting fresh … new freshwater conservation centre

The Queensland Government has announced the provision of a $35 million Freshwater Species Conservation Centre to study and protect the Mary River Cod, Queensland Lungfish and the Mary River Turtle to ensure their ongoing survival. The Centre, the first of its kind in Australia, will be operated by The University of Queensland, and overseen by the CSIRO. Details: here.

Artistic mirror … major self-portrait prize announced

This prestigious $40,000 prize highlights the University’s commitment to developing a National Collection of Artists’ Self Portraits. The 2007 prize will be judged by Mr Andrew Sayers, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, and the winner announced at the UQ Art Museum, University Drive, St Lucia, on Saturday, October 20, at 10am. Vying for the $40,000 award is a “who’s who” of established and emerging Australian artists. Some artists will speak about their work at 11.30am on the day. The prize is supported by the Margaret Hannah Olley Foundation. Details: ext. 53046 or UQ Art Museum website.

Tell us your views … Insight project team want to hear from staff

As part of the Insight Project, the University’s market research and strategic planning initiative, the first round of market research staff consultations is commencing with UQ staff and other key stakeholders. Your participation in this process is vital to assist in understanding elements of UQ perceptions and attributes as they relate to the UQ brand. Sessions will be held at various venues commencing at UQ Gatton on October 25, followed by other sites. General and academic staff are invited to participate and represent your area. Details: Insight website (UQ login required).

Showcasing teaching … Teaching and Learning Week activities

Teaching and Learning Week 2007 will run from Monday, October 29, to Friday, November 2. Highlights include a symposium on Integrating Research, Teaching & Learning in Higher Education: A Challenge for 21st century University including a keynote presentation from Professor Robert Mathieu, Director, Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL), University of Wisconsin USA.

Other activities for the week will include: an IED internationalisation event; Carrick Grants, Fellowships and Awards Information Session followed by a UQ Carrick Fellows Showcase; CTLC Fund Winners Showcase; Placement Courses Showcase; Faculty showcases and awards; Disability Standards for Education and implications for universities forum featuring Disability Discrimination Commissioner, HREOC. The week will finish with the Effective Teaching and Learning conference at QUT on November 1 and 2. The full program is available on the T&L Week website.

Who’s responsible … forum on students with disabilities

All staff are invited to attend a forum (pdf) on this topic on Tuesday, October 30, from 4.30pm–6.30pm at St Lucia campus. Guest speaker, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, HREOC, with a panel of senior UQ staff (Executive Dean, PVC Teaching and Learning, Academic Registrar, Director of Studies) will discuss Disability Standards for Education and implications for universities. Refreshments will follow.

University for everyone … panel discusses racism at universities

Staff and students are invited to a free seminar entitled Eliminating Racism – Fostering Diversity on Friday, October 19, noon–2pm, in room 470, Level 4, Sustainable Minerals Institute, Building 47A, St Lucia campus. Issues surrounding racism, its impact and how diversity can be better fostered in a university environment will be discussed by a panel of leading academics and practitioners. An interactive discussion with audience members will follow. A light lunch will be served at noon, prior to the panel discussion. For catering purposes, RSVP to equity@uq.edu.au or phone ext. 53052 by October 16.

Easy being green … newsletter on environmental initiatives

Unigreen News, a newsletter for all UQ staff and students, highlights environmental initiatives including water conservation, recycling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions on campus. It is produced every two months by Environmental Services, Property and Facilities Division. To view, go to: Unigreen News. You can also register on the Unigreen mailing list.

Practical parenting … further award for Triple P creator

Pioneer of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) and 2007 Queenslander of the Year, Professor Matt Sanders, has received a prestigious award from the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Mars journeys … NASA expert speaks at UQ

Distinguished lecturer, Dr Mark Adler, of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will discuss Exploring Mars: The Journey of the Mars Exploration Rovers at a free public lecture in room T203 (please note new room number), Hawken Engineering Building, on Wednesday, October 17, at 6pm. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the UQ School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Division, are sponsoring the event. Refreshments provided. All welcome. Details: mark.bateup@dsto.defence.gov.au or Professor Michael Smart: m.smart@uq.edu.au.

“Freak show” resurgence … free public lecture to discuss

Research fellow with UQ’s Centre for the History of European Discourses, Elizabeth Stephens, will present a public lecture for the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies entitled: Bodies as Public Spectacles: From the Popular Anatomy Museum to the Freak Show on Thursday, November 1, at 5.30pm in The University of Queensland Art Museum, St Lucia campus. The lecture explores a recent surge in popular interest in touring anatomical exhibitions which are the most recent incarnations of a centuries-old “freak show” tradition. Details: Rebecca Ralph, phone 3346 7407, fax 3365 7184, or email r.ralph@uq.edu.au.

Time’s running out … only a few places remain for Ally training

Only a few places are left for the forthcoming UQ Ally Program training on October 30. Register through TEDI online. Further information on the UQ Ally Program is available on the Equity website.

Keep on learning … enrol now for staff development courses

Places are still available in the following staff development courses:

For information about staff development courses, visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

Let’s connect … UQSOPA annual conference

The UQ Secretaries and Office Professionals Association (UQSOPA) will hold its annual conference on Thursday, October 25, from 8.30am–4pm at The Meeting Place, Sir William MacGregor Drive (at the athletics track), St Lucia campus. Speakers will include Denis Feeney, Cathryn Cole, Julia Palmer and a panel session with past UQSOPA presidents. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. Free for members; $25 for non-members. Details: Karen Hendrickson on ext. 57969.

Get on your bike … National Ride-To-Work Day

Join in the fun of riding to work on Wednesday, October 17, to celebrate the 2007 National Ride-to-Work Day. The UQ Bicycle User Group will host a sponsored breakfast for riders to the University in the BBQ area behind the UQ SPORT pool on Sir William MacGregor Drive from 7am–9am on October 17. ABC Radio will be broadcast live from the event in addition to giveaways from various national and local sponsors. For free registration, go to http://www.ride2work.com.au/, team name: UQBUG, workplace code: 315604.

Innovation Downtown … leadership course this month

Dr John Steen, from the UQ Business School, will lead an Innovation Leadership course from Monday, October 29, to Friday, November 2, at UQ Business School Downtown, Level 19 Central Plaza One, 345 Queen Street, Brisbane. Details: contact the Executive Education Team on ext. 67105, email execed@business.uq.edu.au.

Spooky steps … Halloween fun run

The annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Cool Night Classic fun run on Wednesday, October 31, will share proceeds between the Queensland Brain Institute and the Down Syndrome Association of Queensland. The 5.75-km run/walk/crawl begins at the River Stage in the City Botanic Gardens at 5.15pm and finishes at Riverside Centre around 7.30pm. Registration for teams and individuals closes on October 19. Details: visit here or contact Jenny Valentine, ext. 66413.

Power options … free sustainable energy forum

Three experts in alternative energy will discuss options in solar, geothermal and wind energy at a forum at The University of Queensland Staff and Graduates Club, St Lucia campus, on Thursday, October 18, at 6pm. Please note that this is a political event, organised by the West Moreton branch of the Queensland Greens. For details, please email: Emma Hine, PhD science student.

Trivia buffs sought … monthly quiz night

The University of Queensland Staff and Graduate Club's monthly quiz night continues on Wednesday, October 17, at 6pm for a 6.30pm start for teams of up to six players. Content includes three general knowledge rounds, an audio round, a paper and pen task and five questions on a movie of the month – this month, it’s Taxi Driver (1976). There are team and individual prizes, a cash jackpot prize ($300 this month) and a “Famous Faces” prize board. Entrance fee: $3 per person. Details: Charles McCowie on phone 0423 775 025 or email cmccowie@optusnet.com.au.

Gold Class passes … P&F survey competition

The UQ Property and Facilities survey competition offers prizes of two Gold Class movie vouchers to three lucky respondents who submit their completed survey within the period October 1–29. For more information on the survey, which takes just 10 minutes to complete, and for online access, visit here.

Body of work … ultimate gift to medical science discussed

Some of Australia’s leading medical historians will be at UQ on Friday, October 19, to attend a major symposium on the use of human body parts in medical science, past and present.

Bones of attention … volunteers needed for study

Healthy control volunteers aged between seven and 17 years are required for a study of the interaction between muscle and bone in young individuals with cystic fibrosis compared to healthy controls. New peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) technology will be used in the study. Participants will be required to attend the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Herston, once only, for three hours. Testing sessions for control subjects can be conducted in school holidays, and parking cost covered. Details: Denise Brookes, phone 3346 4936 or email d.brookes@uq.edu.au.

Men behind wheels … male drivers needed for study

Male participants (aged 20–45 years) are needed for an obstacle avoidance driving task (one session of 90 minutes) in a VR simulation of an underground shuttle car. Volunteers will each receive $15 and should have at least two years’ driving experience and not be susceptible to motion sickness. The experiment is located in the VR Lab, in the Human Movement Studies Building, St Lucia campus. For more details, please email: Christine.


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