CQUniversity Annual Report - Central Queensland University

CQUniversity ANNUAL REPORT 2012
A number of CQUniversity’s achievements in the engagement arena were
highlighted at the 2012 annual Engagement Australia Conference held in
Brisbane. Two Conservatorium of Music students were selected to attend
the conference to showcase the successful applied theatre program
‘Choices’. In addition, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement)
presented a paper on ‘Engaging with communities: an empowerment
approach to university–community engagement’ and facilitated a workshop
on ‘Leading a University's Engagement Strategy’. The University’s
representation within this organisation will be strengthened following the
2012 appointment of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement)
as Chair of the Engagement Australia Board. At the forefront of promoting
and facilitating discussion and development of university–community
engagement across Australia and Asia Pacific, strong representation on this
Board will enhance CQUniversity’s ability to interact with other engagementminded
universities, organisations and individuals worldwide.
Fundraising activity at the University entered a new phase in 2012 with BHP
Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) establishing a significant partnership
with the University to name the BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement and
a suite of scholarships in support of Central Queensland students wishing
to pursue non-mining related careers. The B. Macfie Family Foundation
renewed its significant support for research into environment related issues
and the John Villiers Trust ambulance was purchased as a teaching and
learning resource primarily aimed at Paramedic Science students. The
University continued to receive support for undergraduate scholarships
and academic prizes from a range of continuing and new industry partners
and generous individuals. The funding support of corporations, trusts and
individuals is deeply appreciated by the University and is a very significant
source of encouragement and practical support for students.
Throughout 2012, the Industry, Vocational Training and Access Education
Division has also been working with the University’s Deans, vocational
education providers and industry partners to develop new pathways
between vocational and academic learning. We have established 871
articulations and 23 dual offers with over 80 Australian and international
organisations. Twenty-five additional dual offers have been submitted to
QTAC and are currently being progressed.
In response to a need in Central Queensland’s resources industry,
QCPD initiated the launch of a postgraduate qualifi cation in Project
Management. QCPD is proud to report that 27 industry employees from
the inaugural cohort will graduate from the program in 2012. QCPD’s
newly established tendering service in collaboration with IRIS won
business with Horticulture Australia Ltd for the delivery of training to
horticulture retailers.
QCPD is currently working with CQUniversity’s own registered training
organisation (RTO) Health Train to facilitate an articulated pathway into
the CQUniversity graduate programs via the Certifi cate IV and Diploma
in Project Management. Throughout 2012, QCPD has been working
with industry and across the University to develop commercial online
short courses for professional development, which will be available
from 2013.
CULTURAL LINKAGES
With engagement as a core premise of the University, cultural
linkages are a key attribute of its operations. This is displayed in
learning and teaching activities, as earlier described, but also in
sporting and community events. CQUniversity hosts a range of
such activities each year, some of the more ‘renowned’ being
the Mini Olympics and Chancellor’s Cup, as well as regular
formal and informal on-campus activities, which are favourites
with international students and provide opportunities for
linkages to occur.
Within the community, a great example of cross-cultural
engagement is the work undertaken by CQUniversity’s Sydney
campus students and staff with The Exodus Foundation, a
charitable organisation that assists homeless and abandoned
youth, and other people in need. This is part of an ongoing
commitment, whereby the campus sends a team of volunteers
once a month to the ‘Loaves and Fishes Free Restaurant’ in
Ashfi eld, which serves food to the homeless. This also has the
benefi t of allowing international students to experience a way of
life they have not been exposed to while in Australia.
Within Central Queensland, the English Language Centre (based on
the CQUniversity Rockhampton campus) provides a great vehicle for
connections to partner institutions in other countries. It provides a
strong platform for CQUniversity to link various communities within
the local region, through a common desire to improve their English
skills and play a greater role in our wonderfully diverse community.
During 2012, around 170 students and about 20 accompanying staff have
visited Rockhampton to participate in tailored English Language Centre
study tours, from institutions in Korea, China, Japan and Thailand. In
addition, the Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gladstone schools who teach
Japanese and Korean welcome these students into their classrooms to
enrich the learning experiences of the Australian students.
The engagement goes to the heart of our Central Queensland
community, with all the students being accommodated in Homestay,
with families who have committed to this service for many years. The
students undertake English language classes, but also participate
in a range of cultural and tourist activities such as visits to islands,
farms, cultural centres and wildlife parks. Many lasting friendships are
developed, and many students return to Rockhampton for further study,
or as tourists.
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