UQ Update

UQ Update - 11 August, 2008  


The latest

UQ a top research performer

The University has again received five star rankings as one of Australia's best research universities in an independent ranking of Australian universities released last week. Story…

Teaching excellence recognised

UQ's dedication to exceptional education standards has been recognised with five awards from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. Story…

New centre launched

The Healthy Communities Research Centre at the Ipswich Campus has been launched. Story…

UQ responds on animal care issue

Vet School argues for the highest standards of animal care. Story…

Hear about UQ’s response to climate change at free breakfast

Climate change is becoming a global and local issue. This free breakfast forum will focus on UQ’s response to climate change. It will be on Thursday, September 4 at the UQ Staff and Graduates Club, St Lucia at 7.15am for 7.30am. Speakers include: Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Geoff Dennis, Stuart Green, Stefanie Butler and Leigh Burgess. Limited numbers. RSVP by Monday, September 1, to: Environmental Services, Property and Facilities Division, phone ext. 52076 or email: unigreen@pf.uq.edu.au.

Staff invited to Robocup

The University will host 300 school students and their robotic creations at the Robocup Junior Queensland Championships at St Lucia on Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17. Story…

ADA organises Goddard Oration

Queensland Brain Institute Director Professor Perry Bartlett will deliver the 20th Ernest James Goddard Oration on Wednesday, August 20 at the Schonell Theatre, St Lucia at 7.30pm for 8pm. Professor Bartlett will discuss: The Self-Renewing Brain: How new nerve cells enhance learning and delay dementia. A light supper will follow. RSVP to events@adaq.com.au or phone 3251 2160.

Staff and families invited to Open Days

Ipswich campus Open Day will be held on August 20 from 3.30pm–7.30pm and the Gatton campus Open Day on August 24 from 9.30am–3pm. Details: visit the Open Days website. For staff working at these events, details of new 2009 student recruitment initiatives are online. Staff and students who worked on the St Lucia Open Day are requested to fill out the online survey

Visiting the Brisbane RNA Exhibition?

Find UQ at the Ekka at the National Science Week Pavilion or take part in The Courier-Mail Ekka Adventure Trail, which includes UQ.

Staff can have say in survey next week

UQ will hold its first University-wide staff engagement survey from Monday, August 18. Story…

Changes to UQ Secretaries and Office Professionals executive

At its AGM on Thursday, July 17, Claire McCafferty, Executive Assistant to Professor Stephen Walker, Executive Dean of the BACS Faculty, was elected unopposed as Association Vice-President. Anne Webber, Personal Assistant to Professor Kaye Basford, Head of the School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, was elected as an Executive Member.

Help make a difference to the medical workforce

The Doctors' e-Cohort Study has been established to examine factors influencing the career decisions of Australian doctors and medical students, and the recruitment and retention of doctors in metropolitan, rural and remote regions. The study is funded by the Australian Research Council, in partnership with Queensland Health and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Medical practitioners and medical students are invited to participate by visiting the study website.

Learn about neo-goth exhibition in gallery tour

Come for a guided tour of the blockbuster neo goth: back in black exhibition with the exhibition’s curator Alison Kubler and artist Del Kathryn Barton, 2008 Archibald Prize winner. The tour will be at the Mayne Centre, St Lucia on Saturday, August 16 from 10.30am to 12pm. Free. Morning tea follows. Details: email: artmuseum@uq.edu.au or phone ext. 53046.

Celebrate National Science Week 16th to 23rd August at UQ

Enjoy the following UQ events:

You can also receive National Science Week posters, bookmarks and other promotional material by emailing Elizabeth Long or phone 3036 6269. Register your BrainBreak event online at http://www.scienceweek.info.au.

Nominate someone as a Miracle Worker

Nominations are open for the 2008 Miracle Worker Awards. Staff are invited to nominate any UQ employee who has inspired his/her peers through qualities in the workplace. To nominate someone, complete the form available online or email: k.hendrickson@uq.edu.au. Award recipients will receive their certificates from Chancellor, Sir Llew Edwards at a lunch ceremony on Wednesday, September 10 at 12.30pm, venue TBA. The General Staff Self Development Prize winner will receive their prize and certificate at this ceremony from Secretary and Registrar Douglas Porter.

Low cost English classes at ICTE-UQ

The Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education offers low cost English Language classes to all adult learners. A 36-hour course costs only $30 if 90 percent of lessons are attended. The two-hour lessons are taught in the afternoon and focus on speaking, listening, vocabulary and grammar. The teachers are training to become qualified English Language teachers. The next courses begin on September 15 and October 2. Details: contact ICTE, phone ext. 66770 or email: icte.enrol@icte.uq.edu.au.

Win the jackpot at quiz night

The Staff Club's popular monthly quiz night will be held on Wednesday, August 20 at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Teams of up to six players can undertake three general knowledge rounds, an audio round, a paper and pen task. There are team and individual prizes, a cash jackpot prize and a “Famous Faces” prize board. Entrance fee: $3 per person. Contact quizmaster Charles McCowie or phone 0423 775 025.

King’s College upgrades conference facilities

King’s College, St Lucia has refurbished its facilities including converting the College Chapel into a dual conference/Chapel facility. Available for hire on an hourly, half day or full day basis, the Chapel features magnificent stained glass windows. Facilities include theatre-style seating for 120 people or conference seating options for 26, 32, or 44 people with boardroom-style tables and an integrated audio visual system with internet access. Car parking for 20 vehicles available. Details: online.

Recycle Your Old LEGO toys

Donate your old LEGO to a worthy cause. Dr Rosalie Boyce from the School of Pharmacy has volunteered to help a local primary school set up a lunch time/after school LEGO Maniacs Club. Your old LEGO would be going to a worthy cause. She needs thousands of pieces. Email Rosalie with LEGO Maniacs Club in the subject heading and she will organise to pick it up.

Are you committed to social justice principles?

Places are available for staff to become Discrimination and Harassment Contact Officers (DHCOs). Staff with an understanding of, and commitment to, social justice principles and a high level of discretion are invited to apply for a two-day Discrimination and Harassment Contact Officer (DHCO) course on August 21 and 22. DHCOs can be a first point of contact for people with enquiries about University policies and procedures related to discrimination and harassment (including sexual harassment and bullying). Details: online .

Enrol in staff development courses

Places are still available in the following staff development courses:

General

Teaching & Learning:

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

Negotiations expert to deliver workshop for senior UQ women

Professor Mara Olekalns will present a half-day workshop on Negotiating Essentials at Work on August 21 from 9.15am–12.30pm (followed by a light lunch) at the Innes Room, UQ Union, St Lucia. Attendance is open to academic women at levels C-E and general staff women HEW 8-10. Professor Olekalns’ research focuses on the relationships between thinking about negotiation, what people do and say during negotiation, and outcomes. Details: online. Enrol at equity@uq.edu.au.

Multicultural Fun day next Saturday, August 16

Join the fun at the Playhouse Parent and Child Care Centre, Union Road, St Lucia from 10am–2pm. Activities include: multicultural dancing from Indonesia, Germany, the Netherlands and Bollywood; a sausage sizzle; Indonesian, Indian and Sri Lankan food; show bags; lucky dips; and art and craft. Stalls with home-baked cakes, jewellery, Indian clothes and products and educational resources available. A didgeridoo player and instrumental band from Indonesia will also feature. Details: Margaret Griffiths 3377 2960.

Staff invited to cancer lecture by Chair of Australian Sarcoma Group

Scientists, research fellows and professors with an interest in sarcoma are invited to attend the Cancer Council of Queensland’s Sam Sciacca lecture to be delivered by visiting medical oncologist Dr David Thomas of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne on Thursday, August 28 at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. The lecture will be at the David Lambert Auditorium, 553 Gregory Terrace, Fortitude Valley. It will be on the topic: Sarcomas as a paradigm for basic, translational and clinical research in rare diseases. RSVP Gillian Yap tel 3258 2313 by August 22.

UQKids School’s In

Your child can learn new skills and develop an interest in sports through comprehensive skill development programs maximising participation and emphasizing fun. UQKids programs are held at St Lucia campus by experienced and qualified coaches. Details: online.

Accepting final enrolments

Available spots in UQ SPORT’s Lifestyle Program are disappearing. Enrol now in one of the many Dance, Martial Arts, Sports Coaching and Fitness, Holistic Health and Personal Development programs. Try adventure courses such as Deep Sea Fishing, Shooting, Surfing, Scuba Diving, Sky Diving, Camping and Horse Riding. Details: online.

Fitness that's music to your ears

UQ SPORT until August 31 is offering special deals on purchasing or upgrading to a Total Value Pass. Enjoy unlimited group fitness sessions and access to the gym, cardio room and the Aquatic Centre for just $14.25 per week (member price). Join in August and receive a free iTunes voucher and go into the draw to win an iPhone. Details: online.

Participants sought for email communication in the workplace study

Academic and general staff are sought to complete a 15-20 minute survey to assess the impact of email communication in the workplace. The survey is being undertaken by Rowena Brown, a PhD candidate (School of Psychology), working with Associate Professor Julie Duck and Dr Nerina Jimmieson. The survey is for UQ staff, and should not be completed by postgraduate students or research assistants. It is online. For a paper version, contact Rowena Brown.

Males needed for meals and metabolism study

UQ and the Princess Alexandra Hospital are researching the effects of a high fat meal on inflammation and blood vessel function. Volunteers are required to attend three appointments at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Results, including body composition studies, are provided. Parking available and subjects will be reimbursed. Researchers seek male Caucasian non-smokers, aged 18-70 as follows:

Details: Dr Liza Phillips on 0413 492 160.

Unable to lift your arm above your shoulder?

UQ physiotherapy researchers are studying the most effective technique to treat patients with painful restriction of shoulder movement. Volunteers are sought, aged 18-65, with such a painful restriction. They are required to come to St Lucia campus (free parking) for an assessment of their shoulders to determine eligibility. Details: Pam Teys or phone 0403 010 688.

Concerned about your child’s skills?

UQ researchers seek parents for a free study to help kids develop skills to manage everyday situations at home, in the community, with family and peers. Parents will be coached in understanding particular learning needs of children and will discover strategies and techniques that work. Participants will have up to eight sessions of about an hour each with an experienced occupational therapist at St Lucia campus. Parking vouchers provided and Saturday and after-school sessions available. Details: Fiona Graham or phone ext. 67469.

Seniors needed to participate in study

The School of Human Movement Studies and the School of Psychology seek adults 65 years and older for a study on the relationship between physical activity, fitness, mental activity, and personality. Participants attend two interviews at times and locations convenient to them and wear a pedometer for a week. They receive $40 gift vouchers for their participation. Details: leave message at 3365 6981 for call back, or email activity-research@hms.uq.edu.au.

Trialling a new Osteoarthritis treatment

Specialists at the University’s Psychology Clinic are evaluating a new treatment for Osteoarthritis. This intervention aims to help patients better manage their illness with self-help strategies. Customised treatment sessions are designed to help reduce pain, increase patients’ everyday abilities and help manage flare-ups. Participants diagnosed with Osteoarthritis, and aged over 60 are sought for this free, confidential study. Details: Dr Natasha Koloski telephone 3346 9857.

Males needed for research into improving dosing of medications

Male Caucasian non-smokers are invited for a study investigating the influence of body size on removal of medications from the body. Participants should be aged 18-50 years, weigh either 75-85kg or >100kg, be in general good health, and be willing to commit 24 hours. The study will be at Princess Alexandra Hospital from August to September. Payment is provided. Details: Phey Yen Han or phone ext. 69718.

Control participants needed at Queensland Brain Institute

Are you a right-handed female in your forties? If so, QBI researchers would like to hear from you. They are conducting research on the phenomenon of grapheme-colour synaesthesia (the sensory experience of colour triggered by letters, words, and digits) and need non-synaesthetic age, handedness, and gender-matched control participants. The study involves behavioural investigations of visual perception, and recording the brain’s electrical signals from the scalp. Participants will be paid. Details: Rebecca Rainbow or phone 0403 869 962.

Male volunteers needed for prostate motion study

Male participants aged 40 and over are invited to help with prostate cancer research. The study will involve a one hour MRI scan at the Wesley hospital. Details: Ben Brooks or call CMR reception ext. 54100.

Participants needed for leisure activity and social companionship research

Are you over 65? Living in the community? Participants in this study will complete a questionnaire about leisure activities, have the researcher visit them and ask some interview questions about leisure activities, wear a pedometer for a week and write down the number of steps they take each day. Contact Lauren Brockie or phone 0413 048 255>.


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