Dear staff,
Today I am travelling to China with a delegation of UQ senior leaders to meet existing and potential partners across a number of shared interests.
We will also have the opportunity to connect with some of our many UQ alumni living in China, as well as prospective students and their families.
International missions like this are an opportunity for UQ to continue to strengthen ties with our global partners. I look forward to sharing insights and outcomes from our visit when I return.
The Queensland Commitment roadmap
In exciting news, we are taking another step towards honouring our commitment to supporting aspiring Queenslanders to pursue their passion at UQ.
With today’s release of The Queensland Commitment Roadmap, we have detailed 58 strategic actions UQ will take towards more equitable access to education by 2032. The Roadmap clearly defines how we will continue to work in partnership with alumni, schools, communities, and all levels of government to make this a reality. It also outlines how we can adapt as an organisation to help more Queenslanders access the transformative impact of education.
I’m very proud of what we have achieved together already. With the help of over 1,600 donors and UQ matched funds, we secured $22 million which has helped to create more than 65 new scholarships since launching The Queensland Commitment in 2022. By 2032, our aim is to raise $250 million through philanthropy to directly advance this effort.
The actions outlined align with the recommendations from the recently announced Australian University Accord. These include partnering with Regional University Study Hubs to provide alternatives to geographic relocation and, in the longer term, providing support for qualifying students to participate in compulsory placements.
Addressing educational equity is just the beginning. The Queensland Commitment embodies a broader ethos that underpins every aspect of our operations at UQ. It influences our teaching, guides our research, and shapes our engagement with both the Queensland community and our global partners.
Thank you to Jen Karlson (Vice-President Advancement and Community Engagement) and The Queensland Commitment Team for their leadership on this important initiative. I'd also like to thank all the other staff across the university who have worked hard to get us to this point. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.
UQ ranked top 50 in 20 academic subject areas
I’m pleased to share that UQ has ranked in the global top 50 in 20 academic subject areas in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, reflecting the breadth and quality of our teaching and research capabilities.
UQ maintained its position as first in Australia for Sports-related Subjects, Environmental Sciences, and Agriculture and Forestry, and improved its ranking to first in Chemical Engineering.
Globally, UQ maintained its position as second in the world for Sports-related Subjects, highlighting the important role we will play in supporting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. UQ also improved its rank for Mineral and Mining Engineering, with the subject now positioned fourth in the world and third in Australia.
Congratulations to everyone involved in working to deliver such impressive outcomes for UQ.
Visit from Minister Husic
Last week, UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) welcomed the Honourable Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, for a visit. Minister Husic toured the IMB facilities, met with researchers, and saw, first-hand, the varied and significant work our IMB team are doing – from investigating venoms to develop new treatments for stroke, to developing a next-generation algae-based bandage for faster wound healing, to tackling antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers awarded Advance Queensland Industry Fellowships
Congratulations to 10 UQ researchers awarded $3 million in the Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships. The fellowships will support a range of research collaborations with industry partners. They are designed to drive a resilient and inclusive Queensland economy, from the development of more effective disease control in livestock to the creation of the next generation of targeted cancer therapies.
Increase to PhD Stipend
From 1 June, I am pleased to announce that we will increase the UQ base full-time PhD stipend to $35,000 per annum. The new stipend rate will apply to all HDR students enrolled at UQ. This increase is in recognition of the rising cost of living and, of course, the significant role that HDR students play at UQ.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week.
Best wishes
Debbie
