UQ Update

UQ Update - 17 March, 2008  


The latest

Nominate for VC’s inaugural Alumni Equity & Diversity Award

The UQ Advancement Office advises that the Vice-Chancellor’s inaugural Alumni Equity & Diversity Award winner will be announced as part of UQ’s Diversity Week, May 12-16. This award recognises alumni whose efforts have championed the equitable and inclusive treatment of under-represented groups throughout Queensland, Australia or overseas. The theme for this year’s award, Spirit of Diversity, focuses on the way human spirituality transcends differences in class, gender, ethnicity, language, culture and ability. Nominations close April 7. Details: the UQ Alumni & Friends website.

UQ fades to black to benefit environment

The University of Queensland will turn off its lights for one hour at 8pm on March 29 for Earth Hour. More…

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. Register your intention to attend by clicking on the venue of your choice:

Feedback sought on reference proposal for Faculty of Science

Further to the Vice Chancellor’s paper concerning Science at UQ, the Science Structure Working Group has prepared a reference proposal to create a Faculty of Science. It is located on the UQ website staff portal under myInformation, which can be accessed through the my.UQ Sign In, on the Current Staff website. The paper is intended to elicit comment and input from the University as a whole and from the Faculties and Schools most likely to be affected.

Co-chairs of the Science Structure Working Group are Deputy-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Michael Keniger and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor David Siddle. They seek comment on the proposal and on related issues that require further attention. The Co-chairs have encouraged Faculties to focus discussion through Faculty and School consultative processes.

Submissions are sought by close of business on Monday, April 7, and should be addressed via Marcus Parsons, Secretary to the Science Structure Working Group.

Book a table for the Journey of Healing dinner

The Aboriginal and Torrres Strait Islander Studies Unit, in partnership with Goorie Berrimpa Student Collective and the UQ Union, invite staff and students to attend the Journey of Healing (formerly known as Sorry Day) dinner on Friday, May 30 at the UQ Centre, St Lucia at 6pm. The buffet style dinner costs $40 for employed people, $20 for students. Colour themes: black, white, mauve, purple and lavender. RSVP by May 9 to Colleen Beard or Sue Randell, phone ext. 56714 or ext. 56699.

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.

Win a holiday to Hamilton Island

Associate Professor Michael Drinkwater, of the School of Physical Sciences, has won a voucher for dinner at the Customs House Restaurant by completing the OH&S online induction. Last week's winner was Andrew Dunne, of the Office of Marketing and Communications, who has won an iRiver X20 MP3 player. 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.

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. For more details and an entry form, visit the Design Competition page.

Not-to-be-missed Talking Photography event at UQ Art Museum next month

The UQ Art Museum (UQAM) will present a free Queensland Festival of Photography event on Sunday, April, 6 at 12.30 pm. Major and emerging Australian artists Tony Albert, Fiona Foley, Mike Parr and Luke Roberts will come together in a panel discussion titled Performing for the lens: the active subject in contemporary photography (chair: Nick Mitzevich, Director, UQAM). Dennis Del Favero, Peter Lyssiotis, Genevieve Grieves and Genevieve Staines will discuss the value of the archive for their work in First witness: the value of the archive for photo-media artist (chair: Dr Prue Ahrens, UQ). Further information: ext. 53046.

UQ invests in new software to support teaching and research

UQ has invested in a University-wide LabVIEW software site license to support teaching and research. The software can acquire data from virtually any source, and be used in experiments in fields as diverse as mechanics, human movements, vision, chemical processing and structural engineering. Staff can use LabVIEW to interface with real-world signals, analyse data for meaningful information, and share results through intuitive displays, reports and the Internet. LabVIEW training sessions will be conducted at UQ later this year, with dates yet to be confirmed. Enquiries: School of Engineering Electronic Instruments Laboratory Manager, Ray White or visit www.its.uq.edu.au.

Generating interesting research questions through problematization

The UQ Business School will hold a research seminar with Professor Mats Alvesson and Associate Professor Jorgen Sandberg on Tuesday, March 18, from 1pm–3pm, Room 106, Colin Clark Building, St Lucia (Bldg #39). The researchers will propose and develop problematization as a means to identify, articulate and challenge assumptions underlying existing literature about a subject matter and, to formulate research questions leading to more influential theories. To register, email events@business.uq.edu.au.

Win the jackpot at Staff Club trivia night at St Lucia

The Staff Club's popular monthly quiz night continues on Wednesday, March 26 at 6pm for a 6.30 start. Teams of up to six players can participate. Content includes three general knowledge rounds, an audio round, a paper and pen task and spot questions. There are team and individual prizes, a cash jackpot prize ($430 this month) and a “Famous Faces” prize board. Entrance fee: $3 per person. Contact the club or quizmaster Charles McCowie or mobile 0423 775 025.

Conference looks at interactions between plants, microbes and insects

The International Conference on Biotic Plant Interactions (ICBPI) will be held on March 27-29 in the John Hay Building within the Queensland Biosciences Precinct at UQ, St Lucia Campus. ICBPI will bring together more than 200 international scientists, industry delegates and students who are interested in molecular plant pathology and beneficial interactions of plants with other organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, parasitic plants, nematodes, insects and other herbivores. The speaker program is now available online. Register at: http://www.uq.edu.au/plants/icbpi. Details: conference convener Peer Schenk.

Conference on convergence, citizen journalism and social change

The School of Journalism and Communication, along with AMIC (Asian Media Information & Communication Centre) and QUT Journalism are hosting a conference, March 26-28 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor. Details and registration can be found online or contact Katie Petersen or phone ext. 53268.

Alumni and Friends website goes live

The UQ Alumni and Friends website has undergone a facelift and went live on the web earlier this month. The revised version of the website incorporates a more attractive look and feel than the previous Alumni site and makes it easier for alumni to update their details, find ways to reconnect with the University and support UQ through donations. The Advancement Office’s website is now incorporated within this website.

Visit the new Guide for International Students website

The Guide for International Students is now available online. The creation and development of this project has been undertaken by UQ International Student Advisers. Previously, international students have been provided with a hardcopy version of information now contained in this website. The site includes a UQ staff password-protected section called Information for Staff. This contains four sub-sections, including: Organisational structure; Referral processes; International Student Program (ISP) forums; and an International Student Advisers section which highlights the services provided by International Student Advisers.

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.

Upgrade your skills in records management, office administration

The UQSOPA and TEDI are running two courses next month — the first, Records Management Introduction on Friday, April 4 at 9–11am in the Ipswich Library Seminar Room, Ipswich Campus. For the first time, the 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 will be guest speaker

UQSOPA is organising a breakfast at Darwin’s Café, St Lucia, on Wednesday, 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. Time: 7.15am for 7.30am start. Cost: $15.50 for members; $20 for non-members. RSVP and enquiries to Karen Hendrickson or phone ext. 67754 by Thursday, 27 March. The UQSOPA’s 2008 calendar of events and membership information is online

UQ seminar this month on curriculum design for Blended Learning

This special presentation on Monday, March 31, will introduce Blended Learning (BL) at the University of Hertfordshire, explore learning and teaching values and challenges at UQ and discuss how BL could meet these challenges and support learning and teaching values. The session will be presented by Peter Bullen and Mark Russell of the Blended Learning Unit at the University of Hertfordshire. It will be from 10am to 12 noon at CTLC Room 341, Sir James Foots Building, St Lucia. Details: online or phone Rena Wright, TEDI, ext. 53234, email: blendedlearning@uq.edu.au.

Service to honour 89 donors

Make a diary note to attend the annual School of Biomedical Sciences’ annual multi–faith Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, May 7, at the UQ Centre at 5.30pm, which this year honours the largest number of donors in the service’s history. It also coincides with 40 years of Chaplaincy at UQ.

Enrol in staff development courses

Places are still available in the following staff development courses:

For details of all Staff Development Program courses, visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

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, filled with goodies to help you on your way to achieving your fitness goals. Details: online or phone ext. 67871.

Giving kids a helping hand

Researchers from The University of Queensland are offering parents practical ways to help their kids learn the skills of life. Fiona Graham, from UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, said children sometimes struggle to learn the basic skills and routines essential to managing everyday life, such as getting ready for school or learning to play with peers. The study is free and will be run by UQ’s Occupational Therapy Division at St Lucia over eight weeks. Parents interested in taking part can contact Fiona Graham on 3346 7469 or email f.graham@uq.edu.au.

Volunteers sought for voice study

The Division of Speech Pathology invites volunteers, aged 18–65, to participate in a study investigating whether voice problems can be assessed via the internet using video-conferencing. Researchers seek participants who rely on their voice as a main tool in their jobs (lecturer, teacher, lawyer, etc.) and either report symptoms of vocal problems (such as fatigue, vocal strain, hoarseness) or who have been diagnosed with a voice disorder. Participation involves a free one–hour assessment by two speech pathologists. Details: Deborah Theodoros, or phone ext. 52806.

Being a parent of a teenager

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 approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

Volunteers sought for food preference study involving primary school children

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 to 12 years). The study is short of caregivers of typically developing children (aged 5 to 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.


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