UQ Update

UQ Update - 21 January, 2008  


The latest

Join Diversity Week activities

The Spirit of Diversity is the theme of Diversity Week 2008 (May 12-16). The highlight of this year’s activities is the VC’s Equity and Diversity Awards, on Wednesday, May 14 (free to UQ staff, students and guests). Prepare your nomination or application for these prestigious awards (value $10,000 or $5,000). Draft an application for a Diversity Week Activity Grant. Details, visit the Diversity Week site.

Win $1000 in Diversity design contest

The $1000 artwork design competition for Diversity Week 2008 is open to current staff and students. Designs should link to the theme, The Spirit of Diversity. This theme is about universal aspirations that unite people across boundaries of class, gender, ethnicity, language, culture and ability. It is not about any specific faith, morality or code of ethics. For more details and an entry form, visit the Design Competition page on the Diversity Week website.

Prizes for completing new OH & S induction

All new and existing UQ staff, including casuals, are required to complete a new, compulsory online Occupational Health & Safety induction program by May this year. Staff can complete the induction from Monday, February 4, and numerous prizes will be awarded, including a holiday for two to Hamilton Island. More details will be available in next week’s UQ Update. Story…

Keep the emergency number handy

In the event of an emergency at any UQ University site, the first phone number you should dial is 3365 3333. That's the message that the Associate Director of the University's Occupational Health and Safety Unit Gary Chaplin would like to get across to all staff. Story …

Learn how to win Teaching and Learning Grants

To coincide with the preparation of 2008 Carrick Grants and UQ Teaching and Learning Strategic Grants applications, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Professor Deborah Terry is holding a Teaching and Learning Grants workshop on Friday, February 8, to assist staff to develop successful grant applications. Details: visit the Teaching and Learning website.

Sharpen your marketing and communications skills

The University’s Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC) will run a two-hour marketing and communications advice session on February 27 in the Senate room, Brian Wilson Chancellery, St Lucia at 9.30am. Learn about University marketing, advertising, photography, publications, media, protocol and ceremonies, web services, and corporate ID and guidelines. Enrol online.

University to further test its crisis responses

UQ will conduct further crisis response training exercises this year at the St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses. Participants will include members of the University’s Crisis Management and Recovery Team and other key personnel. The University has updated its Crisis Management and Recovery Plan. Story…

Update sessions on UQ branding project

UQ INSIGHT is a project for understanding and developing the UQ brand and competing for our future position. Project members will hold the next round of campus briefings as follows:

Register, using your UQ user name and password, via the UQ Insight website.

Additional bus services to University

Minister for Transport John Mickel and Brisbane City Councillor Victoria Newton have announced additional weekday bus services to the St Lucia campus and other Brisbane destinations.

Go8 releases statement on the Right to Publish

The Group of Eight universities, which includes UQ, has released a statement claiming the Right to Publish on behalf of their academic staff. Go8 chair Professor Alan Robson said the legitimacy and integrity of universities depended upon acceptance by governments and the community that academic work must be carried out in an open and independent environment, with staff free to reveal and challenge ideas in accordance with internationally accepted norms such as peer review. Details: visit the Go8 website.

Nominate for committee vacancy

Staff members are invited to submit nominations by February 1 for vacancies on the UQ Senate Standing Committee for Equity, Diversity and the Status of Women and its three subcommittees. Details of vacancies and links to information about the committee are online.

Upgrade your University teaching qualifications

Apply now for the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, beginning February 23. An application form and additional details can be found online. Direct enquiries: telephone ext. 56550; email education@uq.edu.au.

New centre hosted at UQ Ipswich

Better support for people with intellectual disabilities will be an outcome of a unique new research and teaching centre hosted by the University. The Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Support will be based at UQ Ipswich.

Industry connections formalised

The University has appointed its first six Industry Fellows.

Scholarships round open

The University has opened applications for its 2008 round of undergraduate equity scholarships for domestic students.

Increased technical support for eLearning staff

The first point of contact for the eLearning staff helpdesk is now through the ITS helpdesk. The new contact number is 3365 6000, or 1300 738 082 (nationwide – at the cost of a local call). Requests for support via email can be sent to staff-help@elearning.uq.edu.au. The benefits to eLearning staff include extended contact hours (8am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday) and use of the job tracking system. All students should continue to seek support through AskIT.

Linking law students with legal professionals

The UQ Law Graduates Association and the TC Beirne School of Law conduct a mentoring program for law students to help ease the transition into the law profession. The program matches selected students with legal professionals whom they can approach for practical advice on study, legal practice, career paths and job opportunities. There are also significant benefits for mentors. Details, or to register your interest as a mentor for the 2008 program, visit www.law.uq.edu.au/mentor or email mentor@law.uq.edu.au.

Revised parking charges

The University Senate has revised parking fees for 2008. Visit the UQ Traffic and Parking site for details about parking at the University’s campuses.

Secretaries and Office Professionals plan first function for year

The UQSOPA invites its members and anyone interested in attending, to an informal Australian Day morning tea to start the year. It will be on Thursday 24 January, at 10:00am at Bar Merlo, Duhig Building (adjacent to the Social Sciences and Humanities Library), St Lucia. Please bring a plate of Aussie tucker to share, while coffee will be available for purchase. The new contact for Association President Karen Hendrickson is ext. 67754 or email k.hendrickson@uq.edu.au.

Our Way opens in Virginia

The University’s successful exhibition of Lockhart River Aboriginal art is continuing its international tour with a two-month showing at the University of Virginia.

Pick your favourite art work

The official judging might be over but the public can still cast their votes for Australia's first self-portrait prize, currently showing at the UQ Art Museum. More …

Are you interested in Finland?

Applications are invited from EVA by February 15 for the EVA Junior Fellowships program. The EVA Junior Fellows Network does not provide scholarships but can assist in travel and accommodation costs. Details: Ewa Walczuk, Information Officer, Embassy of Finland, telephone (02) 6273 3800, email: ewa.walczuk@formin.fi.

Enrol now in staff development course

Places are still available in the Blackboard Basic Training staff development course, with classes due to start tomorrow, January 22 and Thursday, January 24, St Lucia; Wednesday, January 23, Ipswich; Friday, January 25, Herston. For details about all courses offered in the Staff Development Program, visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

Get ahead with UQ Business School’s executive education courses for 2008

Register your interest now for one of these Executive Leadership courses:

Details: contact the Executive Education Team on ext. 67105 or 67115, email execed@business.uq.edu.au or visit www.business.uq.edu.au/execed.

Participants sought for climate change and energy workshop

People aged 18-25 years are sought to take part in a CSIRO workshop to discuss climate change and energy. It will be on February 19 (all day event) at Room 110, Building #69, (Computer Science), St Lucia. Participants can contribute views about future energy options. Register interest online by February 13. Staff are asked to draw this event to students’ attention. Details: email: Naomi.Boughen@csiro.au.

Abstracts closing for Cairns conference

Friday, March 28, 2008, is the deadline to submit abstracts for the biennial conference Creating Futures: Research, Practice and Policy — Indigenous, Rural and Remote and Island Nations in Transition to be held in Cairns from September 22 to 25. It is organised by the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health Queensland and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Proposals for papers (30 minutes duration, including 10 minutes discussion) should be emailed to info@conorg.com.au or telephone (03) 9349 2220.

PhD scholarship available in cardiorespiratory rehabilitation research

The Division of Physiotherapy is offering a PhD scholarship commencing this year for candidates with a background in clinical health sciences to undertake doctoral training in cardiorespiratory rehabilitation research. The scholarship recipient will undertake a clinical trial investigating the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation and chronic disease self-management in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PRSM). Details: Angela Chang on ext. 54557 or a.chang1@uq.edu.au. Email an expression of interest before February 28.

Come ‘N’ Try activities for free

UQ SPORT will hold a free Come ‘N’ Try Week from Monday February 25 to Friday, February 29. Offerings include Group Fitness classes, and Recreation courses ranging from dance and yoga to boot camp and martial arts.

School’s Out for kids’ activities

UQKids has established a comprehensive School’s Out junior program to spoil children for choice from today, January 21 to Friday, January 25. Activities range from tennis to triathlon clinics and multi sport programs, so children are sure to find something they'll enjoy. With the new school year coming UQKids School’s In runs from January 29 to April 4.

Enrolments opening soon for social sport competition

Enrol yourself or your team when UQ SPORT social sport competition enrolments open on Monday, February 18. This is a great way to make new friends and have a great time. Competitions include outdoor and indoor netball, 7 a side and indoor soccer, water polo and 7 a side hockey. Visit UQ SPORT Social Sport online for information and enrolment.

Participants sought for bone and muscle health study

Healthy volunteers aged seven to 17 years are needed to help researchers using new technology to investigate the interaction between muscle and bone in young people with Cystic Fibrosis. Participants will be required to attend one three-hour session at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Herston. Tests will be performed to assess bone and muscle function. The Children’s Nutrition Research Centre will meet parking fees. Details: Denise Brookes or phone ext. 64936.

Dealing with a pain in the neck

The Division of Physiotherapy is looking for volunteers for neck research into "trigger points" in the trapezius muscle. The study will explore which tissues are more sensitive to pain, and whether trigger points themselves are especially sensitive. People who have mild to moderate neck pain caused by knots in the muscles, or people interested in being in the control group (who have no neck pain) please email Jessica Page for details.

Do you have chronic back pain?

Volunteers with a history of low back pain longer than three months are invited to participate in a study investigating motor control of the low back and pelvis. Participants will be required to attend a two-hour session at the CCRE Spine St Lucia campus. The tests involve four simple pain-free and non-invasive measures including the use of ultrasound and EMG. Testing sessions are available from Monday to Friday throughout January and February. Details, contact Ryan Stafford or phone ext. 54660.

Participants required for drug elimination study

The School of Pharmacy seeks male and female non-smokers of a range of body weights (45kg to 200kg), and aged 18 years and above to enrol in a study investigating the influence of body size on the removal of drugs from the body. Your participation will assist in helping improve the dosing of medicines for patients of different body sizes. Find out more by calling Phey Yen Han at ext. 69718 or email phan@pharmacy.uq.edu.au. Details, visit the website.


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