Helping the postgraduate student population to quickly adapt to campus life is one of the major aims of Postgraduate Week, to be held at The University of Queensland from March 13-17.
The Week has been organised by the Graduate School, the Student Union, and the Library to familiarise postgraduate students with UQ.
Dean of Postgraduate Students and Deputy Director of the UQ Graduate School Associate Professor Alan Lawson said postgraduate students played an important role in the University's research output, the quality of its professional standing, and the development of cutting-edge research areas.
But students could feel isolated and unsure about where to seek help or social sustenance at the start of their postgraduate study, he said.
"Our research degree students come from all over Australia and from many other countries around the world so the level of induction, even for our ?home-grown' students, is very important," said Dr Lawson. "The sooner we help them settle into their new roles, the sooner they will be contributing members of the academic community."
Postgraduate Week will offer free seminars, workshops, library tours, and a range of social activities specifically for postgraduate students (see the web site at http://www.uq.edu.au/research/grad-school/postgrad-week-2000.html).
The UQ Graduate School is for the first time offering a session on Managing Departmental Induction for Postgraduate Students to teaching staff at UQ (Friday, March 17, 10am-noon; Social Sciences & Humanities Library conference room). Participants will learn how to develop faculty and departmental induction programs, and how to create a tutor training program.
"We realise that making postgraduates welcome needs to be conducted across all levels of the University," Dr Lawson said. "By equipping departments and faculties with examples of better practice, we hope that induction programs within their own departments will further progress students' confidence at UQ."
The Week will be opened on March 13 with a welcome reception for postgraduates in Mayne Hall. Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Paul Greenfield will welcome students and Professor John Mattick (co-director, Institute for Molecular Bioscience) will deliver the inaugural UQ Graduate School Lecture.
For more information, contact the UQ Graduate School Policy and Projects Officer, Dr Tseen Khoo (telephone 3365 8846 or email t.khoo@research.uq.edu.au).
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