Dear staff,
I hope you're able to stay cool as temperatures rise today.
With school holidays underway and the Jacarandas starting to bloom, it suddenly feels like we’re closing in on the end of 2023. It will also be a little quieter around our campuses next week with the mid-semester teaching break scheduled for 25–29 September.
Ochsner Health partnership
Last week, I had the privilege of travelling to the United States where I met with a number of UQ partners, as well as members of our global alumni community. While I was there, we signed an agreement to extend UQ’s partnership with Ochsner Health in New Orleans to continue to offer our joint transnational Doctor of Medicine (MD) program until at least 2030. Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in delivering this highly respected program.
Recent rankings, awards & achievements
Last week, we learned that UQ was ranked 37th in the world in the 2023 NTU World University Rankings. The NTU rankings again point to UQ’s research excellence and impact across a range of fields, with our university being ranked amongst the world’s top 50 in three broad fields, including 4th in the world for Agriculture, 20th for Social Sciences, and 34th for Life Sciences.
In other great news, Emeritus Professor Geoff Mitchell received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 National Palliative Care Awards in Sydney last week. Congratulations to Geoff on this thoroughly deserved recognition for his distinguished career as a researcher and devoted service as a GP in the Ipswich community.
UQ alum featured prominently in the 2023 Global Australian of the Year Awards announced last week. Professor Glenn Denning was named ‘Global Australian of the Year’; Dr Brett Parkinson received the Emerging Leader Award; and Professor Abelardo Apollo David Jnr received the Alumni Award. My heartfelt congratulations to all three winners.
My congratulations also to the UQ students chosen to represent Australia as part of the UniRoos team that recently competed at the World University Games in Chengdu, China. Cara Feain-Ryan took out gold in the 3,000-metre Steeplechase event and Aiden Frick was a member of the Men’s Gymnastics team that placed 14th overall.
Peta Rake appointed UQ Art Museum Director
I am delighted that Peta Rake has been appointed the new Director of the UQ Art Museum. Peta has been the Art Museum's Acting Director throughout this year, and prior to that served as the Museum’s Senior Curator.
She has extensive leadership and curatorial experience, both locally and globally – and I’m sure she will continue to build on the impressive reputation of the UQ Art Museum as a cultural institution that delivers immense benefits for our staff, students, and the broader community.
Committed to the development of teaching-focused staff
The Academic Annual Performance and Development (APD) website has recently been updated with specific information, guidance and resources for teaching-focused staff. With an emphasis on ‘Teaching Impact’, this resource is now available to guide teaching-focused academics and their supervisors in annual goal setting and career progression planning.
UQ led the sector in establishing the teaching-focused academic role 15 years ago. The updated guidance signals our ongoing commitment to our teaching-focused staff who play a vital role in shaping a culture of educational excellence at UQ.
Voice to Parliament staff information sessions
For anyone who was unable to attend UQ’s Voice to Parliament referendum staff information sessions recently, videos of the two St Lucia sessions are now on the 2023 referendum on a Voice to Parliament staff webpage. Additional resources are also available, including an Australian Human Rights Council resource on engaging in respectful conversations about the referendum.
Confirming the end-of-year close-down period
As we look towards the end of the year, a reminder that UQ locations will close from 5pm on Friday 22 December 2023 and open again on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
As I confirmed at the All Staff Forum in May, staff will be asked to take 3 days of annual leave during this period, or equivalent pro rata work for part-time staff. The leave days are Wednesday 27 December, Thursday 28 December and Friday 29 December 2023, providing a 10-day break with public holidays and weekends included. Staff who do not ordinarily perform work on these days will not be required to take leave.
After the October long weekend, Human Resources will provide details about applying for and recording annual leave arrangements for staff who need to work during this period, and options for those who may not have sufficient leave.
All Staff Expo – Wednesday 4 October
Finally, one of the great things about working at UQ is the range of benefits available to staff.
To showcase these offerings, we will be hosting a UQ All Staff Expo at the UQ Centre, St Lucia, on Wednesday 4 October, from 10am to 1pm. Many of our partners, internal teams and service providers will be on hand to share information about the deals, discounts, and activities on offer to staff. I encourage you to head along.
Registrations are open now.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the week – and have a great weekend.
With best wishes
Debbie
