UQ Update

UQ Update - 14 April, 2008  

Upcoming UQ Events

• Environmental Engineering Sustainability Seminar (15-4-2008)
• ACPACS Seminar: Human Security - Only a Theoretical Concept? (16-4-2008)
• School of Human Movement Studies Seminar series (18-4-2008)
• Public lecture: Can Science Replace God? Genetic Engineering and Stem Cell Research (21-4-2008)
• UQ Events. To list your event, click on "Add Event" and sign in.

UQ in the media

• Apology ushers in change
• Kidney research recognised
• Frazer hits on cancer battle clue
• Speed demon
• Summit on clean technology
• UQ research advances early breast cancer detection
• Health: Stress Buster: ABC1
• Water science
• Beef research program to benefit farmers
• Gatton campus column: Farrier Training
• Sign in to the UQ Mediaclips site for more media clips.

Material for UQ Update

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 1120. Items should be no longer than seven lines. Thank you.

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Go to the archive section if you would like to see previous versions of UQ Update.

Other campus news

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The latest

Academic Board election result announced

Deputy President of the Academic Board, Professor Susan Hamilton, has been elected unopposed as the President of the Academic Board for 2009. She will succeed the current President, Professor Mark Gould.

VC congratulates Governor-General designate

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield has congratulated Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, Queensland Governor since early 2003, on her appointment as Australia’s first woman Governor-General. Story...

UQ espace repository launched

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield AO has launched UQ eSpace, the University’s open access institutional repository. UQ eSpace allows scholars around the world to discover UQ research. The research output in the repository is picked up by popular search engines like Google. Already the most popular paper in UQ eSpace has been downloaded more than 20,000 times. Story...

Diversity awards and panel discussion

Staff and students are invited to attend the Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards evening on Wednesday, May 14. The event has been expanded to include the presentation of the first Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Alumni Award. The winner of the second annual Diversity Week Design Competition will also be announced. Register your attendance with Kristy Gan.

Nostalgia talks: Brisbane in the 1950s

Popular UQ Faculty of Arts academic Dr Toni Johnson-Woods and UPQ author Hugh Lunn will give a one day course: "Australia in the 1950s" at Women's College, St Lucia on Saturday, April 19 from 9.30am to 4pm. Toni will discuss her research on Carter Brown popular novels and radio serials and guests will also include PhD student Toni Risson discussing Greek cafes and lollies. It is part of the MindVentures learning and leisure series for mature aged people. Cost, $99. Details:Dr Bill Richmond, telephone 3878 4077, email: mindventures@uqconnect.net or web: www.mindventures.com.au.

Qld University Regiment celebrates its diamond anniversary

The University Regiment has celebrated success on the eve of its 60th anniversary milestone. Story...

Don’t delay on survey

More than 3000 staff have completed the online OH&S induction since it was launched in February. All new and existing UQ staff, including casuals, have until May this year to complete the compulsory, online safety induction program. Visit the my.UQ staff page to link to the survey. Story…

Two new exhibitions open at the University Art Museum

The exciting exhibitions German Expressionist prints 1900-1930 and There goes a Narwhal— Lionel Bawden, Nell, Michael Zavros have opened at the University Art Museum at St Lucia. They join on display:

• AES+F Group (Russia): Last Riot, the video installation that was the hit of the Venice Biennale last year;
• Sidney Nolan — The Slates, a collection of 19 paintings on slate tiles which Nolan completed between 1941 and 1942;
• Depth of Field: contemporary photography from the Collection (Fiona Foley, Shaun Gladwell, Bill Henson, Rosemary Laing, Mike Parr, Luke Roberts, Jay Younger);
• Mark-Making (Ian Fairweather, Tony Tuckson, Robert MacPherson, Imants Tiller, Mike Parr); and
• Non-objective self portraits (John Nixon, Rose Nolan, Scott Redford).

The University Art Museum is in the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre, University Drive, St Lucia, phone ext. 53046. Gallery hours: 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, admission free.

Book for staff influenza (flu) vaccinations clinics

Bookings for staff influenza clinics are available from April 16. Bookings are available for clinics until May 23 at St Lucia campus. Details: the staff flu program website. This site has a consent form which you should print out and bring to your appointment. Please read the information links on flu vaccination before your appointment, especially if you have not had the vaccine previously.

Staff invited to first year architectural design events

Come support an exhibition entitled Beacons from Invisible Cities, by first year architectural design work students, at the Paddington Sub-Station, corner LaTrobe and Enoggera Terraces, Paddington, on Friday, April 18 from 6pm to 9pm and on Saturday, April 19 from 10am until 4pm. The exhibition focuses on the students’ first project which developed abstractions from the text Invisible Cities by the author Italo Calvino and developed them into a series of sculptural objects constructed from paper, and featuring beacons.

The second event is also based on first year work. Students are constructing 39 emergency cardboard shelters from scale models up to a full-scale prototype. The shelters will be tested in the field over two evenings at Stradbroke Island on the evenings of April 28 and April 29. There will be a rough trial run assembly of the shelters next Tuesday, April 22 in the Zelman Cowan Building, though the shelters will not be fully complete at that stage. Details: Michael Dickson, lecturer in architecture, phone ext. 53954.

Staff invited to participate in Global Corporate Challenge

The Global Corporate Challenge is a health and fitness initiative targeted at the workplace. By simply recording the steps participants take during their everyday activities for four months, they are taken on a virtual tour of the globe. Participants will be in teams of seven, and each team member will wear a pedometer to record their steps. Each day you will log into the GCC Web site and enter your step count. The website will recognise what team you are from and tally your steps with your team-mates, convert them into a kilometre distance, and then plot you somewhere on the GCC journey. This is a simple and fun way to see the world and learn more about your health, while working as a team to achieve a healthy mind and body. The 2008 GCC begins on May 22 and concludes on September 23.

Applications for 2009 Fulbright Symposium open

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission annually offers a grant of $A30,000 to a university, group, or individual to host what is recognised as the Fulbright Symposium. The Symposium focuses on a topic of current bi-national interest between Australia and the United States and engages leading speakers from both countries. The grant is awarded following a national competition with proposals assessed on criteria including a topic of bi-national significance, defined outcomes and benefits, and the wider professional and institutional interest and support. Details: www.fulbright.com.au. Closing date for applications is July 31 this year.

Amendments to Handbook of University Policies and Procedures (HUPP)

The Secretary and Registrar approved changes to the following HUPP policies in February and March:

• 5.41.5 Probation and Confirmation of Continuing Appointments (Academic Staff);
• 5.80.12 Promotion of Academic Staff (Levels A-D);
• 5.80.14 Promotion to Professor;
• 2.10.1 Guidelines for Workplace Health and Safety Committees;
• 5.60.14 State Emergency Service Leave;
• 5.60.15 Conference Leave; and
• 5.60.18 Extended leave with pay for General Staff;

Senate approved the following HUPP changes at its meeting on March 27:

• 1.30.6 Policy and Procedures on the Establishment, Approval, Administration and Review of Institutes and Centres (previously also referred to Unit);
• 3.20.1 Maintenance of Academic Records;
• 3.20.12 Guidelines for the award of University Medals;
• 3.30.1 Assessment;
• 3.30.2 Marking and Award of Grades (rescinded) ;
• 3.30.4 Assessment involving near relatives and close associates (rescinded) ;
• 3.30.5 Examinations (rescinded) ;
• 3.30.6 Student Access to Feedback on Assessment (rescinded) ;
• 3.70.1 International Agreements;
• 3.70.2 Agreements with Overseas Institutions to Offer UQ Programs on a Collaborative Basis (rescinded) ;
• 3.70.3 (previously numbered 3.15.1) Collaborative Academic Program Arrangements;
• 4.60.1 Effective Guidance: the role of advisor for research higher degree candidates;
• 4.60.2 Research Higher Degree Candidate Charter;
• 4.60.3 Statement of Research Higher Degree Graduate Attributes; and
• 7.50.4 Water Management (new policy).

Physiotherapy seminar looks at office neck pain

Dr Venerina Johnston, a lecturer with the Division of Physiotherapy, will present a free seminar on behalf of the CCRE Spine Research Seminar Series entitled: An in-depth profile of the female office worker with neck pain. It will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, May 14 in Room 506, Therapies Building (#84a), St Lucia Campus Details: Mandy Weidman, phone 54567.

Upgrade your skills in office administration

The UQ Secretaries and Office Professionals Association (UQSOPA), in conjunction with TEDI, are offering a Basic Office Administration Skills course aimed at levels lower than HEW 5. This course will run on Wednesday, April 16 in the TEDI Seminar Room, Building 15 from 1.30pm. Details: visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

Managing Outlook session offered at Gatton

Due to the success of the Managing Outlook — Tips and Tricks session presented by Wayne Brookes, Team Leader, Campus Technology Services, ITS at St Lucia in March, the UQSOPA in conjunction with the Gatton Campus Manager’s Office, is organising a second session at UQ Gatton on Wednesday, April 23 from 1pm – 3pm in the Council Room, N W Briton Building, Gatton campus. Register with Mary Honnery on extension 50512 or feonravs@uq.edu.au.

Mark diaries for Office Professionals Day in May

UQSOPA invites staff to take part in Office Professionals Day on Friday, May 2. The Association is taking a table at the Australian Institute of Office Professionals National Office Professionals’ breakfast. Register interest with: Karen Hendrickson or phone ext. 67754. The UQSOPA’s 2008 calendar of events and membership information can be accessed online.

Free reading offer to UQ staff, students

Higher education weekly newspaper Campus Review has advised the University that it will offer free IP authenticated web access for all UQ staff and students until the end of April 2008. Its online content is normally visible to paid subscribers only. Recent content includes an interview with the Vice-Chancellor at: http://www.campusreview.com.au/pages/story-details.php?idArticle=3907.To read the digital edition, visit www.campusreview.com.au and click on the “Campus Review on-line” button.

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

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

• Valuing Human Capital (April 28–May 2);
• Women Executive Leaders (June 2–June 5)
• Strategic Marketing and Communication (June 23–June 27)
• Strategy in Action (July 14–July 18)
• The Leadership Challenge (August 4—August 8).

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.

UniFIT basic Pilates course offered next month

Anyone interested in trying Pilates for the first time or simply revisiting the basics is invited to join a four-week Pilates course throughout May. It will be held on Tuesdays from 5.15–6.15pm between May 6 and May 26 at the UQ Athletic Centre. Subsidised staff are free, and non-subsidised staff receive four casual sessions for $38 as a UQ SPORT member, or $48 if a non-UQ SPORT member. To book or for more information contact Marda Willey.

Entries close April 17 for the Qld Corporate Games

Get your business or organisational team together for an action packed weekend of friendly competition with the Queensland Corporate Games on May 16-18. 4000 participants from 150 organisations will come together to compete in 14 fun sports. Teams can be any size and can include family and friends. Entry is open to all and the majority of events are held at the UQ St Lucia campus. Details: UQ SPORT Events, call 1300 301 418 or email qcq@corporategames.net.au.

Learn to harness your anxiety at UQSPORT seminar on April 16

Anxiety is the most frequently reported problem in all levels of sports performance. Anxiety takes many forms, from feeling a few nerves to panic. In this talk, Jonah Oliver will outline the nature of anxiety, what it is; the common sources; how it makes us think, feel and behave, as well as how to overcome it. Jonah will also introduce the notion of how anxiety can help to achieve peak performance. The seminar will be on Wednesday, April 16 from 6-8pm. Cost: $55. Details online.

Special offer available to new members in April

Three months free membership is being offered to all UQ staff and graduates who join the Staff and Graduates Club at St Lucia as a full financial member in April, 2008. People joining this month will not have to renew their membership until July, 2009. Application forms can be downloaded online or contact the club on ext. 53768.

Participants needed for chronic back pain study

Volunteers with a history of low back pain for 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 one, 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. Details: Ryan Stafford or phone ext. 67751.