Dear staff,
I am currently travelling overseas on a UQ Senior Executive Mission, having met with a number of our partners in Vietnam late last week – before moving on to India on Sunday.
Supporting staff and students
Like many of you, I have been shocked and saddened over the past few days to see the unfolding events in Israel and Gaza. On behalf of the University, I offer condolences to those affected.
I want to acknowledge the impact for those people within our community who have family and friends in the region. Please be aware that our thoughts are with you.
I encourage staff impacted to speak with your manager who can help you to manage work commitments and access support at this time. Our Employee Assistance Program is available 24/7 and provides free and confidential counselling and support to staff and their direct families. Alternatively, you can contact our HR team directly by emailing askhr@uq.edu.au or telephone (07) 3365 2623.
The UQ travel website has the latest advice for staff who may have plans to travel to the region with UQ, and it will continue to be updated as required.
Our Student Services team will also be reaching out directly to students who may be affected.
Vale Chuck Feeney
In further sad news, we learnt overnight of the passing of Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney. A trailblazing philanthropist who gave away his fortune to institutions across the globe – donating more than $100 million to UQ alone – Chuck’s ethos of ‘giving while living’ inspired a movement of philanthropy that has transformed the world for the better.
In 2022, I was honoured to recognise the immense contributions of Chuck and his wife Helga with the presentation of Honorary Doctorates and the naming of ‘Feeney Way’ at our St Lucia campus. And I feel very thankful that, along with Jen Karlson, I had the opportunity to meet with Chuck and Helga just last month to update them on the impact of their giving at UQ.
I know the entire UQ community will join me in sending condolences to Chuck’s family, and reflecting on the enormity of his legacy as we walk Feeney Way in the years to come.
UQ All Staff Expo wrap
Thanks to everyone who attended or helped to host our first-ever All Staff Expo, which was held in the UQ Centre, at St Lucia, last Wednesday. With more than 700 staff attending across the day, the Expo provided a great opportunity to showcase the wide variety of special benefits and offers that are available to all of us, as UQ staff.
Forthcoming staff events
There are a number of staff programs, activities, and events planned across our campuses over the coming weeks.
For a start, this month – October – is dedicated as both Cyber Security Awareness Month and National Safe Work Month, so I encourage you to get involved with the range of events, learning opportunities, and awareness activities that have been specifically designed for staff.
A reminder also that Teaching and Learning (T&L) Week will run from 30 October to 3 November. The theme for this year’s T&L Week is ‘Synergy’, with the program featuring a number of sessions focused on UQ’s 6 Graduate Attributes – namely: “connected citizens”, “influential communicators”, “respectful leaders”, “accomplished scholars”, “culturally capable”, and “courageous thinkers”.
We’re also currently making plans for this year’s ‘UQ Thanks You’ staff appreciation events, which will be held, once again, across our three campuses in late November. Keep an eye on your inbox over the coming week for further information and your invitation.
The Voice Referendum
Finally, I will be returning home from India on Friday, in time to vote in the referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia and establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
I’d encourage everyone at UQ to educate themselves about this proposed change. There is information available on the Australian Government’s Voice website and the Australian Human Rights Commission’s website. Or you can go to the UQ website to watch videos of two of the Voice to Parliament staff information sessions we hosted in late August and early September.
I hope you enjoy the rest of this week.
With best wishes
Debbie
