UQ Update

UQ Update - 10 March, 2008  


The latest

UQ rated a female-friendly workplace

Proactive equity strategies have earned UQ an Employer of Choice for Women (EOCFW) citation for the seventh consecutive year. Story…

UQ fades to black to benefit environment

UQ will turn off its lights for one hour at 8pm on March 29 for Earth Hour. More…

UQ Careers Fair Wednesday March 12

All UQ students are welcome to attend the UQ Careers Fair in the UQ Centre on Wednesday between 11am and 4pm. The Fair provides an opportunity to meet one-on-one with more than 180 employers. Details: visit www.uq.edu au/careersfair.

Vice-Chancellor’s address to all staff

All staff are invited to attend an open address on “Future Issues for UQ”, to be delivered by Professor Paul Greenfield AO, Vice-Chancellor, commencing at 4pm on Wednesday, March 19. This will be followed by a question-and-answer session. The address will be delivered at the UQ Centre at St Lucia and video-linked to Herston, Gatton and Ipswich campuses. Please register your intention to attend by clicking on the venue of your choice:

Teaching award nominations closing soon

Nominations close on May 2 for the University's Awards for Excellence in Teaching (AET) and Awards for the Enhancement of Student Learning (AESL). Academic staff with teaching or teaching/research appointments (with at least two years of academic teaching-related employment at UQ) are eligible for AET nomination. AESL is open to all programs and services that enhance student learning at UQ. Nomination forms are available from each school. Details of the selection process are available online under Funding and Awards Excellence/UQ in Teaching and Learning Awards or from Jenny Bjarnesen, phone ext. 53206.

Fryer Award 2008 announced

The Fryer Library and the Faculty of Arts have selected Dr Katherine Barnes from the University of New South Wales as winner of the 2008 Fryer Award. Dr Barnes will commence her project on “David Malouf: The Poet's Fiction” with the Fryer Library in second semester. Fryer Library's collection of David Malouf's papers begins with the drafts of his first book of poetry Bicycle and Other Poems (1970) and includes the manuscripts of all his major novels.

Stem-cell screening targets tumours

More effective treatments for brain cancer will be developed at a tumour-cell testing facility opened last week at the Queensland Brain Institute. Story…

Premier inspects Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence

The $120 million first stage of a new UQ centre will ease a chronic shortage of pharmacists and help to improve health care nationally and globally. More…

Advertise your event in UQ Events

Make sure that the UQ community knows about the UQ events you are organising by adding them to the UQ Events database. Any UQ staff member or student can add an event by selecting the “Add event” link on the left-hand menu of the UQ Events home page. The event will be checked by the UQ Events editor and published within 1 working day.

New international website launched

Staff are invited to explore the Guide for International Students website launched last week.

Win a holiday to Hamilton Island

All new and existing UQ staff*, including casuals, have an opportunity to win a holiday for two to Hamilton Island by completing the OH&S online induction. The competition runs for eight weeks closing Friday, March 28. Weekly minor prizes include dinner-for-two vouchers or iRiver X20 MP3 players. Details: visit my.UQ or email d.martin1@uq.edu.au. *Entry is open only to UQ staff who are Queensland residents. This week's winner will be notified on March 17.

Have your say on parking

In 2005, the Traffic & Parking Policy Advisory Committee (TAPPAC) initiated a review of parking arrangements at University sites. A consultation draft document for consideration by University and other stakeholders is available on the Parking at UQ website under the Policies link, or it may be accessed directly. Feedback should be in writing by email to Anthony Fletcher, Manager of UQ Traffic & Parking. The final stage of wider University input will be a consultation meeting on Tuesday, March 25 from 12.30pm-2pm in the Senate Room, Level 5, Brian Wilson Chancellery.

Learn the latest from P&F

To find out what Property and Facilities Division is doing around campus, read the February edition of Property Press. Email Lyn Griffiths to be placed on the email listing or to request a hard copy.

Free session on Outlook

The UQSOPA (University of Queensland Secretaries’ and Office Professionals’ Association) invites staff to a free session on Managing Outlook. The session will be presented by Wayne Brookes, Team Leader, Campus Technology Services, ITS in the Duhig Library Conference Room, Level 1 on Thursday, March 13 from 2-4pm. Register with Karen Hendrickson by close of business Wednesday, March 12.

Upgrade your administration skills

The UQSOPA and TEDI are running two courses next month. Records Management Introduction will be held on Friday, April 4 from 9-11am in the Ipswich Library Seminar Room, Ipswich Campus. UQSOPA will also offer a Basic Office Administration Skills course aimed at levels lower than HEW 5. This course will be on Wednesday, April 16 in the TEDI Seminar Room, Building 15, from 1.30pm. Details: visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

Parenting expert guest speaker at breakfast

UQSOPA has an upcoming breakfast at Darwin’s Café on Tuesday, April 2, with Professor Matt Sanders, 2007 Queenslander of the Year, founder of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre. No bookings are being taken yet but details will appear in next week’s UQ Update. The UQSOPA’s 2008 calendar of events and membership information is online.

Young Brisbane artist examine new art

Brisbane-based artist Gareth Donnelly will present an informal artist’s talk about his work Relics of sculpture (2006), which is currently on display in the UQ Art Museum, St Lucia campus. This mixed media work in 10 parts was acquired for the University collection in 2006. This free talk will be held at the UQ Art Museum tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11 at noon. Enquiries: ext. 53046 or artmuseum@uq.edu.au.

Award-winning photographer discusses underwater photos

Queensland photographer Craig Holmes will talk about his exhibition Water Line comprising of photographs taken underwater in pools, lakes and waterways from Brisbane to Fraser Island. The free talk is on Saturday, March 15 at 1pm. During first semester, the Art Museum will open every day from 10am-4pm.

Bee house art on show

Created in response to observations made in the ‘bee house’ during a residency at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, HOST reflects artist Trish Adams developing rapport with bees as they were encouraged to land and feed on the palm of her hand. This transitory allegiance between artist and bee is captured in slow motion in highly magnified detail. This moving-image work is located on level one of the Art Museum.

Figurative photography on display in UQ Art Museum

New acquisitions of artworks by Fiona Foley, Shaun Gladwell and Rosemary Laing are on display in the exhibition Depth of field: contemporary photography from the Collection at the UQ Art Museum. The exhibition explores recent developments in figurative photography, through artists including Bill Henson, Mike Parr, Luke Roberts and Jay Younger. Free entry. This exhibition continues to May 25.

Amendments to Handbook of University Policy and Procedures (HUPP)

The Secretary and Registrar has approved changes to the following HUPP policies made last month:

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.

Personal training offer for UQ community

Take advantage of Masters of Exercise Science students offering personal training at great prices to the UQ community and UQ SPORT members this semester. This seven-week program starts in the week of Monday, April 14 and includes two fitness assessments, a personalised program and one-on-one personal training sessions. Numbers are limited. Details: visit Practicum Placements.

Free athletics sessions

The UQ Athletic Centre will hold free track and field events on March 12 from 5pm-8.30pm. Presented by the UQ Athletic Club and UQ Athletic Centre, this special event is open to south–east Queensland universities, colleges at UQ and the general community. The Come ‘n’ Try Clinic runs from 5-6pm followed by an athletics meet between 6.30-7.45pm and a sausage sizzle and meet the club from 7.45-8.30pm.

Get a free fitness pack

UQ SPORT has added more value to its Total Value Pass (TVP). Not only do you get unlimited access to the Sport & Fitness Centre Gym, cardio room, Olympic-sized pool and Group Fitness classes, but now every new pass holder will receive a Fitness Pack packed with goodies to help you on your way to achieving your fitness goals. Details online or phone ext. 67871.

Give your parenting feedback

Do you have a child aged 11-16? Then have your say. By completing this survey, you will be providing information that could influence the future availability of parenting programs for parents of teenagers. It is a single online survey that takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.

Volunteers needed for fear research

School of Psychology researchers are seeking volunteers for a study into common phobias. They require people who own or work with dogs, cats, horses, cattle, snakes and spiders; people allergic to dogs or cats; people apprehensive of snakes or spiders; and individuals with no fear of snakes and spiders but who don’t work with them. Participants can be reimbursed $10 per hour. Details: Dr Helena Purkis, phone ext. 69643, or visit experiment.psy.uq.edu.au/fear/.

Middle-aged and older adults needed for study

School of Psychology researchers seek people aged 30 to 80 years to participate in a study on whether there are age-related differences in emotionality. Participants will view a series of affective pictures while their heart rate, skin conductance, eyeblink, smiling and frowning muscle responses are recorded using physiological equipment. Participants will also rate affective pictures using a booklet. Details: Bronwyn Massavelli.

Volunteers sought for food preference study

A School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences research team wishes to hear from caregivers with a child (aged five to 12) diagnosed with Autism, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as caregivers of typically developing children (aged 5-12 years). The study is short of caregivers of typically developing children (aged 5-12 years). The team is interested in the food preferences of Australian children with and without Asperger’s Syndrome. Details: Dr Bruce D’Arcy or phone ext. 69190.

Participants needed for chronic back pain study

Volunteers with a history of low back pain greater 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 one, two-hour session at the CCRE Spine (UQ) St Lucia campus. The tests involve four simple, pain-free and non-invasive measures including the use of ultrasound and EMG. Details: Ryan Stafford or phone ext. 67751.

Cholesterol trial volunteers wanted

Participants are sought for a series of international clinical trials investigating the effect of niacin on cholesterol levels in participants with high levels of LDL cholesterol. Niacin is reputed to have highly favourable effects on lowering LDL or "bad" cholesterol. Additionally, the effect of niacin and hot flushing will also be investigated in participants with high LDL cholesterol. Details: email Linda Rogers or call 3876 5688 and ask for Linda or Stacey.

High cholesterol survey participants wanted

Volunteers with high blood cholesterol are needed for a series of surveys investigating how effectively people are treated for this condition. The survey aims to give up-to-date and reliable information about the prevalence of high cholesterol conditions. The researchers wish to undertake a brief survey of volunteers’ general health and drug prescription regimes. Details: email Stacey Goodwin or call 3876 5688 and ask for Stacey or Kyli.

Volunteers with irritable bowel syndrome wanted

Participants are required for a study investigating the effect of a new type of cow’s milk on volunteers with irritable bowel syndrome and asthma and/or eczema and/or hayfever. Volunteers meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be randomised to a new type of cow’s milk group and a control group drinking normal milk for two weeks with a two-week washout period. Subjects will be required to follow a casein and gluten-free wash out diet for three weeks before the trial. Details: email Antonio Ferreira-Jardim or call 3876 5688 and ask for Antonio.

High blood pressure participants wanted

Volunteers are sought for a study investigating the effectiveness of combination therapy in people who have high blood pressure. All travel and medical costs will be reimbursed. Interested participants canemail Linda Rogers or call 3876 5688 and ask for Linda.

Participants with arthritis wanted

Volunteers are sought for an international study comparing three approved medicines commonly used to treat pain in people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and have or are at risk of heart disease. Researchers seek people being treated for arthritis and with a risk of heart disease. All travel and medical costs will be reimbursed. Details: Kyli McCorry or phone 3876 5688 and ask for Kyli.


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