UQ Update

UQ Update - 2 June, 2008  

Upcoming UQ Events

• Responsibility to Protect: From Idea to Norm - and Action? (2-6-2008)
• BrisScience: Professor Joe Wolfe - The acoustics of musical wind instruments - and of musicians (2-6-2008)
• Sewer Mining and Private Access to Public Sector Infrastructure’ (3-6-2008)
• Child Psychiatry Grand Rounds 2008 Series (5-6-2008)
• Australian Collaborative Education Network ACEN-Q (6-6-2008)
• UQ Events. To list your event, click on "Add Event" and sign in.

UQ in the media

• Striving for Maximus effect
• UQ lassoes animal expert
• Cheap solar energy breakthrough
• What bugs lawyers’ clients
• Spiking need for El needles
• Pay-back time
• $11m for the state’s best ideas
• Reef scientist receives coral dollars boost
• Prestigious scholarship for local lad
• University makes headway in growth industries
• 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.

UQ Update archive

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

Other campus news

UQ News UQ Ipswich UQ Gatton

The latest

Researchers succeed in ARC grant round

UQ researchers will share in more than $14 million in funding in the latest round of Australian Research Council Linkage grants Story…

UQ team has energy breakthrough

Professor Max Lu and his team at the AIBN have made a discovery that produces highly efficient miniature crystals which could revolutionise the way we harvest and use solar energy. Story…

UQ parent information evening this month

Staff and families are invited to the UQ information evening for parents and prospective students at the UQ Centre, St Lucia on Wednesday, June 25 from 5pm to 7.30pm. Details: the Student Recruitment team phone ext. 69649.

Switch off for World Environment Day June 5

World Environment Day on Thursday is an opportunity to reduce UQ’s greenhouse gas emissions. UQ switched off for Earth Hour on March 29 and achieved an overall 14.2 percent energy reduction at five campuses and sites. While energy savings continued initially, last weekend showed only a 3 percent reduction. To help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, switch off your computers, lights, and other non-essential plant and equipment before you go home. For information on environmental initiatives on campus, visit Environmental Services Property and Facilities Division website or email unigreen@pf.uq.edu.au.

Diversity Week media gallery now online

Pod and vodcasts of the 2008 Diversity Week panel discussion, chaired by Phillip Adams, AO, are now available online. The gallery also contains the winning and highly commended entries from the popular Diversity Week Design competition, and links to other events and related news links. For further information contact equity@uq.edu.au.

Apply for Research Higher Degree supervision excellence awards

Staff involved in the supervision, mentoring and/or training of PhD and MPhil candidates at UQ are invited to apply for a 2008 Award for Excellence in Research Higher Degree Supervision. UQ was one of the first Australian institutions to make such awards, which include a $10,000 prize. They will be presented at a ceremony in Research Week (September 26–28). Details: online.

Arts offers HECS–HELP scholarship

The Faculty of Arts is offering Commonwealth-supported postgraduate coursework scholarships each semester to full-time general staff employed in a continuing appointment/s within the University for at least two years. Applicants must gain admission to a postgraduate coursework program and commence study in 2008. Submit applications for Semester 2, 2008 to Belinda Hudson by June 30. Details: Belinda on ext. 51179.

Research leader establishes earthquake support group

A new charity has been established for child survivors of last month’s Chinese earthquake. Story…

Learn the latest from Property and Facilities division

To find out what P&F division is doing around campus, read the May edition of Property Press. Email Lyn Griffiths to be placed on the email list or to request a hard copy.

Register now for “Future of Federalism” conference

This conference, on July 10–12 at Stamford Plaza, Brisbane, will be hosted by the Law Council of Australia, International Law Section, and the Centre for Public, International & Comparative Law at UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law. It brings together national and international federalism experts to discuss topics including: a comparative evaluation of the state of federalism; papers on the distribution of powers and fiscal arrangements in Australia, and critical discussion of the Rudd government's vision for the future of Australian federalism. Details, including registration, are online.

It’s nearly tax time

The Australian Government’s Taxation Office has released the first edition of a regular online newsletter, Workforce Education News, providing essential taxation information for employers and employees. It includes information about superannuation changes, the Higher Education Loan Program and tax refund email scams. You can subscribe online.

Brush up on email etiquette

There are still places available in the UQ Secretaries and Office Professionals Association (UQSOPA) workshop on Email and Letter Writing Etiquette. Session: 9am on June 5, in the Ipswich Library Seminar Room, Building 8. Register online.

Apply now for General Staff Self Development Prize 2008

June 30 is the closing date for the $150 General Staff Self Development Prize open to general staff employed at UQ for more than three years. The prize is awarded to a staff member demonstrating outstanding achievements in self-development (academic or non-academic). There is no application form. Eligible staff can submit a written application to: "Confidential", General Staff Self Development Prize, Undergraduate Scholarships and Prizes Office, JD Story Building.

Lunchtime visit arranged for Anthropology Museum

UQSOPA members and non-members are invited to a free tour of the Anthropology Museum, St Lucia on Thursday, June 5 from 1–2pm with Professor Leonn Satterthwait. Meet on the Great Court side entrance to the Michie Building (#9). RSVP to Karen Hendrickson.

UQSOPA lunch with Shard Lorenzo

The Association is holding a lunch on Thursday, June 26 at 12.15pm for 12.30pm, with UQ HR Director Shard Lorenzo, at the Pizza Café, St Lucia. Topic: “Girls Don’t Negotiate”. Cost includes a selection of the day’s most popular pizzas, Greek and Caesar salads plus bread rolls and is $15.50 for members and $20 for non-members. RSVP to Karen Hendrickson by June 23.

Membership for UQSOPA due on July 1

Any new members wishing to join now for only $15, will get 13 months membership for the price of 12. Current UQSOPA members whose membership falls due this financial year will have received a reminder by now. Membership form available online or contact Karen Hendrickson.

Legal Ethics Debated

TC Beirne School of Law and Griffith Law School will host the 3rd International Legal Ethics conference at the Sheraton Mirage, Gold Coast from July 13–16. Themed “Integrity in Legal Practice” the conference will explore ethical responsibilities and challenges faced by legal practitioners, today and in the future. Register online.

U.S. expert argues for new maths technologies in education

Professor Daniel Kaplan, DeWitt Wallace Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science, Macalester College, Minnesota, will give a guest lecture: Towards a Calculus for our Era: Remodelling Maths Education in Today's University on Tuesday, June 24, from 10am to midday at Room 228, Molecular Biosciences Building, St Lucia (#76). RSVP for catering purposes by June 18.

Win $100,000 cash in UQ Business School’s Enterprize competition

As part of the $100,000 Enterprize competition, UQ Business School is holding a free business writing concept plan workshop open to anyone who is thinking about entering Enterprize. Run by Senior Lecturer Dr David Gow and businessman Steve Copplin, the workshop offers information about getting involved in Enterprize and practical advice on writing and entering a winning business plan. It will be held on Friday, June 6, 4pm–5.30pm, Room 209, General Purpose North Building (#39A), St Lucia. To reserve a place contact Jarna King by 5pm, Wednesday, June 4.

Enrol in staff development courses

Places are still available in the following staff development courses:

General

• UQ CENTRA Training on June 4;
• International Marketing Briefing on June 10;
• Blackboard: Basic Training on June 10, 11 or 12 ; and
• Office 2007 Upgrade on June 11.

Teaching & Learning:

• Gen UQ: What the UQSES tells us about our students on June 11.

For details of all Staff Development Program courses, 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:

• Strategic Marketing and Communication (June 23–June 27);
• Strategy in Action (July 14–July 18);
• The Leadership Challenge (August 4–August 8);
• Leadership for the Not for Profit Sector (August 25–August 29);
• Corporate Sustainability (September 8–September 12);
• Innovation Leadership (September 29–October 3);
• Sports Leadership (October 13–October 17); and
• Supply Chain Management (November 17–November 21).

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.

UQKids School’s In program set for July 14 to October 2

Enrolments open today for Term 3 UQKids School's In programs. These programs cater for your child's interests with specific sports clinics. Children will learn new skills and develop an interest in specific sports through comprehensive skill development programs that promote maximum participation and emphasise fun. Details online or phone ext 56612.

Enrol for Building Resiliency and Toughness seminar June 4

This seminar will present practical advice on what is mental toughness and more importantly how it is developed, which should be of particular interest for coaches (all levels), parents, and athletes. Presented by acclaimed psychologist Dr Cliff Mallett from 6-8pm, this seminar outlines how mental toughness and resiliency are two of the most sought-after qualities in elite sport and that high performance coaches need to identify and develop these qualities. Details: online or phone ext 63241.

Child and family psychology at Parenting & Family Support Centre

The PFSC provides individual and group programs based on the Triple P -Positive Parenting Program. Staff and interns at the clinic provide psychology services to families with children and teenagers who are experiencing behavioural and/or emotional problems. The clinic operates 8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays, outside these hours by negotiation. It is located in the McElwain (Psychology) Building, St Lucia. Fees: from $50 per hour. Enquiries phone ext. 57290 or email cfpc@psy.uq.edu.au.

Participants needed at Queensland Brain Institute

Do you experience colours when you see or hear words, letters or numbers? Do you have a friend or relative who does? If so, QBI researchers would like to hear from you. They are conducting research on the phenomenon of synaesthesia, in which perception in one sense triggers experiences in another. The study involves behavioural investigations of visual perception, and recording of the brain’s electrical signals from the scalp during synaesthetic experiences. Participants will be paid for their involvement, and for reasonable transport expenses to UQ in the Brisbane metropolitan area. Details: Rebecca Rainbow or phone 0403 869 962.

Balance and falls prevention study: participants needed

The Division of Physiotherapy invites volunteers aged 40 and over to participate in a clinical intervention trial to improve balance and prevent falls in adults as they age. The study comprises an initial and post-program assessment involving balance and strength tests, both of 1.5 hrs duration (free), and 10, weekly one-hour small group exercise classes ($10 per session) at St Lucia campus. Assessments are available on Mondays/Wednesdays. Classes are on Wednesday/Friday afternoons. Details: Marissa Hegarty or phone ext. 69870, or Dr Jenny Nitz, phone ext. 52791.

Participants needed for studies

Associate Professor David Colquhoun of the School of Medicine seeks volunteers for the following studies:

• To investigate the effect of emerging pain relief therapy on individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or osteo-arthritis. Volunteers with a personal or family history of heart problems are preferred. Details: Kyli McCorry, phone 3876 5688.
• New clinical trials with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Potential volunteers with DVT & PE can be on existing medications like warfarin or they can have recently stopped therapy. These trials will investigate the anti-coagulation effects of a range of new medications. Details: Stacey Goodwin, phone 3876 5688.
• To investigate the effects of weight loss medication in individuals who have had a stroke, heart attack, stable angina or intermittent claudication. Details: Kyli McCorry, phone 3876 5688.

Would you like to be more effective in supporting your child at home?

Parents are invited to take part in a free occupational therapy coaching intervention that aims to improve children’s skills through coaching. Some areas that can be addressed in this study include managing family routines such as getting ready for school, completing homework; specific skill problems such as dressing, cutlery use, playing with friends; or general issues such as physical skills, thinking skills or social skills. The researchers particularly seek children having particular difficulties, including those with diagnoses (such as ADHD, DCD, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Delay) or children just struggling to learn the skills typical for their peers. If interested, contact the occupational therapist researcher on 33467469 or email her on Fiona Graham.