Dear staff,
There’s been a noticeable lift in activity across our campuses this week, as students have returned to classes following the mid-semester break.
As we head into the second half of Semester 1, I’m pleased to say that UQ will be hosting a number of important community engagement events and activities over the coming weeks.
Net Zero Australia findings
On Wednesday night this week, I attended the launch of the findings of the Net Zero Australia project at Customs House.
The result of a collaboration between UQ, The University of Melbourne, Princeton University, and the Nous Group, this significant national study outlines the scale and complexity involved in meeting Australia’s commitment to reaching our net zero emissions target by 2050.
I’d like to convey my congratulations to Associate Professor Simon Smart (who led UQ’s involvement) and the whole Net Zero Australia project team for producing such a detailed and comprehensive roadmap of Australia’s energy transition.
U21 Presidential Symposium and AGM
Next week we will be focussing on the role of universities in achieving a net-zero future, when we welcome the leaders of some of the world’s most significant research-intensive universities to UQ, for the Universitas 21 (U21) AGM and Presidential Symposium. All staff are welcome to attend the Symposium, which will be held at St Lucia next Wednesday.
U21 is a global network of 28 universities with a shared commitment to collaborating on improving performance in: (1) student experience, (2) researcher engagement, and (3) educational innovation. As host of this year’s AGM and Presidential Symposium, we have a wonderful opportunity to showcase UQ’s campuses, facilities, and teaching and research capabilities to our partners from around the world.
UQ Alumni Book Fair
The UQ Alumni Book Fair will once again take over the UQ Centre at St Lucia at the end of next week. In preparation for this annual fundraising event, more than 110,000 donated books, records and magazines have been sorted into some 400 categories by the dedicated volunteers of the Alumni Friends Book Group.
I’d encourage all Brisbane-based staff to bring their friends and family along to the Book Fair, which will run from Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May. As part of the Book Fair, I’m especially looking forward to attending the biannual UQ Alumni Rare Book Auction, which will be held next Friday evening.
Australian Universities Accord
UQ’s submission to the Australian Universities Accord Discussion Paper is now published on the Department of Education’s website, along with around 120 other submissions from students, staff, unions, peak bodies, policy experts and other universities. The Accord, of course, is the first broad-ranging review of Australia’s higher education system in 15 years.
This strong level of engagement and feedback from across our sector is very encouraging, because it means the Accord team will have plenty of ideas and insights to consider, as they start preparing their interim report, which is due to the government in June.
Senior staff title changes
I am delighted to announce that at this week’s meeting, the UQ Senate endorsed the appointment of Professor Bronwyn Fredericks to the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement).
This change acknowledges Bronwyn’s many achievements as our PVC (Indigenous Engagement) over the past five years, as well as the prominence and importance of UQ’s approach to Indigenous engagement across all of our activities.
Since she commenced in the PVC(IE) role, Bronwyn has been responsible for leading significant cultural change, including the introduction of our first Reconciliation Action Plan; the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and Innovation Strategy; and the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Design Principles. At the same time, she played a major leadership role in UQ’s successful bid to host the recently announced ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures.
Senate also endorsed a change in title for Jen Karlson from Pro Vice-Chancellor (Advancement & Community Engagement) to Vice-President (Advancement & Community Engagement). This change aligns Jen’s title with the titles used across all major Go8 (University of Melbourne, Monash, University of Sydney, UNSW and ANU) and US universities.
The change reflects the importance of advancement and community engagement to UQ’s future profile and reputation. Jen very successfully led our first comprehensive philanthropic campaign, Not If, When - The Campaign to Create Change. She has also strengthened our alumni relations and led UQ’s increasing focus on both regional and community engagement.
I’m sure you’ll join me in congratulating Bronwyn and Jen on these title changes.
And finally…
Once again, we’re preparing for an unpredictable and potentially significant flu season, given the resurgence of influenza since Australia’s international borders were re-opened in 2022. The University’s free influenza vaccination program is open to all staff and HDR students aged 18 to 64 – and will be available at a range of UQ locations, from 2 to 17 May. You can find more information and book your flu vaccination appointment here.
And, on a final note, congratulations to Honorary Professor Vicki Flenady and the team at the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence (based at Mater Research Institute–UQ) on the news that they have received a $980,000 grant to expand their education program for healthcare workers who support families experiencing stillbirth and miscarriage. This is well-deserved funding support for a team that’s doing vital work in a very challenging area of healthcare.
I hope you have a great weekend – ahead of what will be a short working week, given the ANZAC Day public holiday next Tuesday.
With best wishes
Debbie
