Dear staff,
Thank you to everyone who attended the UQ All Staff Forum – either in person, or online – on Monday morning.
In preparing for the Forum, I was again reminded of the remarkable achievements of our staff through the first half of 2022, as we’ve been managing the many disruptions caused by severe weather, flooding, COVID surges and staff absences due to other circulating viruses.
So, once again, thanks to everyone for your hard work, resilience, and commitment as we’ve faced many challenges, together, through the first 6 months of this year.
Annual Performance and Development process
I would also like to acknowledge all 5,720 staff and leaders from across UQ who participated in the first year of our refreshed Annual Performance and Development (APD) process. Compared to the previous year, there was a 40% increase in participation in the APD process in 2021.
As we reach the mid-year point, I’d encourage all staff and supervisors/mangers to check-in with one another. It’s a great opportunity for reviewing progress against the personal performance and development plans set earlier in the year.
A short online learning module explains the APD mid-year check-in process. And, for supervisors, we are also offering workshops focussed on leading the APD process, covering skills such as providing feedback, mentoring, coaching, and developing learning plans.
Health Research Accelerator (HERA)
This week, we have publicly announced the 7 programs that we will be supporting as part of UQ’s Health Research Accelerator (HERA) strategic initiative.
The University is investing $50 million over 7 years in the HERA initiative, which is focused on addressing health and medical challenges while also encouraging innovation that contributes to new economic opportunities across the health sector. The funding will primarily be used to recruit and retain outstanding researchers to augment UQ’s health research and innovation capabilities.
The 7 successful programs are all taking a multi-disciplinary approach that involves working in collaboration with partners, including Queensland Health, industry groups, not-for-profit organisations, universities, research institutes and biotechnology companies.
These programs are seeking solutions to a range of medical and health issues – ranging from health workforce optimisation and digital health to infectious diseases and mRNA vaccines.
Mid-year Graduations
Finally, we’re in the midst of a celebratory week at our St Lucia campus, with the University hosting 14 graduation ceremonies, between Monday and Friday. In total, around 3,000 graduands will walk across the stage at the UQ Centre, this week, to receive their degrees.
It is always uplifting to participate in these ceremonies and to witness the sense of achievement of our graduands – as well as the pride of their families and loved ones, who have supported them through their studies.
I’d like to convey my congratulations to our newest alum – and my sincere thanks to all of our staff who have taught, mentored, or supported them throughout their time at UQ.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the week.
Best wishes,
Debbie
