Students who are committed to learning and developing beyond the classroom will benefit from a new award scheme being launched by The University of Queensland.
The University has announced a new UQ Career Advantage Award for undergraduate students. The Award scheme will be implemented in 2012.
This is a special award to accompany students’ resumes and academic transcripts upon graduation.
Office of Undergraduate Education Director Professor Sushila Chang said the new award will acknowledge students who have invested time, passion and commitment in those activities that provide them with the skills that give them the edge in their future careers.
“Students coming to UQ are fortunate to have access to ‘the UQ Advantage”,” she said.
“This is a distinctive student experience derived from UQ’s research, international, professional and industry links.
“UQ offers a myriad of academic and extracurricular activities and opportunities comparable to the best educational institutions in the world.”
The new Award will acknowledge students’ commitment to obtaining global, leadership, and research skills during their time at UQ.
Professor Chang said that students who choose to commit themselves in this way position themselves to be more effective graduates and potential leaders in the future. They will have a better understanding of their personal and professional responsibilities in the context of the global community.
“Students will have their achievements in three key areas formally recognised and valued by the University and the community,” she said.
“They will also gain valuable experience of the world beyond the classroom.”
According to Professor Chang, the UQ Advantage Award will recognise students’ participation in activities in the following three areas:
• Global and Cultural Experiences such as a semester exchange/study abroad, an international study tour or internship, or a diploma in global issues/languages/music
• Social Responsibility and Leadership such as holding a leadership role in a student club/society, being a peer-assisted tutor or student mentor, or engaging in a significant volunteering activity
• Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship such as being a recipient of a UQ summer research scholarship, participating in a major science, business plan or technology competition, or participating in UQ’s Undergraduate Research Conference.
The activities mentioned above are not exhaustive. All activities will need to be endorsed by UQ. The Award will be administered by UQ’s Office of Undergraduate Education.
For further details, visit www.uq.edu.au/undergraduate or email: undergrad@uq.edu.au
Media: Professor Sushila Chang, telephone 07 3346 7012 or Jan King 0413 601 248.
