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UQ News Online<br />

www.uq.edu.au/news<br />

UQ NEWS<br />

NOVEMBER 2003 NO. 530<br />

Engineers<br />

educated<br />

in reality


Learn more<br />

about one <strong>of</strong><br />

Australia’s top<br />

universities<br />

Find out about the range <strong>of</strong> flexible <strong>and</strong> career-tailored postgraduate<br />

coursework options at the UQ Postgraduate Evening.<br />

Whether you want to boost your qualifications or make a career change,<br />

UQ postgraduate qualifications put you a world ahead.<br />

UQ Postgraduate Evening<br />

Customs House, 399 Queen Street<br />

Tuesday December 2, 5pm–7.30pm<br />

www.uq.edu.au


November 4, 2003 Issue 530<br />

UQ news<br />

5<br />

6<br />

9<br />

MESSAGE FROM<br />

THE VICE-CHANCELLOR<br />

The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong><br />

recorded an outst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

achievement in October when the<br />

Australian Universities Quality<br />

Agency (AUQA) released its<br />

overwhelmingly positive audit<br />

report <strong>of</strong> UQ (see story page 4).<br />

The report was issued amid<br />

continued uncertainty about proposed Federal Government<br />

reforms to the higher education sector.<br />

There are a number <strong>of</strong> issues which are clouding the drive<br />

for change, including the Federal Government’s attempt to<br />

tie much needed additional funding for universities to its<br />

workplace reform agenda. UQ <strong>and</strong> many other universities<br />

have expressed strong opposition to this proposal.<br />

Another contentious matter in the proposed legislation<br />

surrounds governance, with Federal Minister for<br />

Education, Science <strong>and</strong> Training Dr Brendan Nelson in<br />

favour <strong>of</strong> restricting the size <strong>of</strong> governing councils in future.<br />

It is noteworthy that AUQA panelists specifically<br />

commended UQ’s 35-member Senate, describing it as<br />

“reflective <strong>and</strong> engaged”. They also praised the positive<br />

relationship which existed between the Senate, <strong>University</strong><br />

executive <strong>and</strong> the wider UQ community.<br />

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Margaret<br />

Gardner’s <strong>of</strong>fice is co-ordinating preparation <strong>of</strong> a plan,<br />

indicating the actions the <strong>University</strong> intends to take in<br />

addressing the audit report findings.<br />

The action plan will be submitted with comments from the<br />

Academic Board to Senate for approval in December, with<br />

onward submission to AUQA early in 2004.<br />

I am confident we have the systems, but more importantly,<br />

the people, in place to continue to improve. I would like to<br />

thank the dedicated <strong>and</strong> outst<strong>and</strong>ing staff who continue to<br />

contribute to this magnificent effort.<br />

RESEARCH<br />

GRANTS<br />

LONG JOURNEY<br />

ENDS IN HOPE<br />

GECKO<br />

DISCOVERY<br />

NEW TRAINING<br />

LABORATORY<br />

SHOWCASING TEACHING<br />

METHODS AND REWARDING<br />

EXCELLENCE PAGE 7<br />

AUDIT REPORT RELEASED ................................................... 4<br />

CORPORATE BRAIN TEASE ................................................... 8<br />

TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR UNVEILED ............................... 11<br />

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS ...................... 12<br />

DEPRESSION INITIATIVE LAUNCHED ................................. 16<br />

UQ IPSWICH CELEBRATION ................................................ 17<br />

TELSTRA AWARDS UQ GRADUATES .................................. 19<br />

AQUACULTURE FACILITY REFURBISHED ............................ 22<br />

10 15 21<br />

ALUMNI AWARDS<br />

ANNOUNCED<br />

IN PRINT: NERIDA<br />

NEWTON<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Hay<br />

COVER PHOTO: Senior lecturer Caroline Crosthwaite in a<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Engineering laboratory.<br />

UQ NEWS is produced by the <strong>Office</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Marketing</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Communications</strong>, The<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong>, Brisbane, Qld, 4<strong>07</strong>2, Australia Telephone: (<strong>07</strong>) 3365 3367<br />

Facsimile: (<strong>07</strong>) 3365 1488 Editor: Brad Turner (<strong>07</strong>) 3365 2659, b.turner@uq.edu.au<br />

Editorial: Joanne van Zeel<strong>and</strong> (<strong>07</strong>) 3365 2619, j.vanzeel<strong>and</strong>@uq.edu.au; Chris Saxby<br />

(<strong>07</strong>) 3365 2479, c.saxby@uq.edu.au Art: Wendy Oakley Photography: Chris Stacey<br />

(<strong>07</strong>) 3365 1735, c.stacey@uq.edu.au; Diana Lilley (photo librarian) (<strong>07</strong>) 3365 2753,<br />

d.lilley@uq.edu.au Printing: Print Works, Geebung<br />

Circulation: 15,000<br />

Advertising (external): John Treacy <strong>and</strong> Associates (<strong>07</strong>) 3846 0655 (internal): Tina<br />

Hannan (<strong>07</strong>) 3365 2049<br />

Registered by Australia Post Publication No. QBH <strong>01</strong>04<br />

The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong>’s web address is www.uq.edu.au


Quality appraisal<br />

result applauded<br />

UQ has been highly commended after a<br />

thorough audit by an independent, national,<br />

not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>it higher education agency.<br />

The Great Court, St Lucia campus<br />

The Australian Universities<br />

Quality Agency (AUQA) has<br />

praised UQ for outst<strong>and</strong>ing leadership<br />

<strong>and</strong> excellent quality performance in<br />

an audit report released on October 1.<br />

The audit panel agreed the <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

claim in its internal audit that<br />

“...UQ has an embedded culture <strong>of</strong><br />

quality at the institution-wide <strong>and</strong> individual<br />

level”, was a justified claim.<br />

AUQA praised UQ’s self-review –<br />

outlined in its 2003 Performance Portfolio<br />

– <strong>and</strong> found its quality processes<br />

to be <strong>of</strong> a very high st<strong>and</strong>ard.<br />

The overwhelmingly positive<br />

report, based on an audit panel visit<br />

from June 1–5 this year, concluded that<br />

“...UQ benefits from strong leadership<br />

which sets a clear strategic direction<br />

that is well-defined, widely-communicated<br />

<strong>and</strong> broadly embraced”.<br />

Vice-Chancellor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John<br />

Hay said the report was a strong endorsement<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’s excellent<br />

management practices which<br />

focused on continuous improvement.<br />

“The report reflects very well on<br />

staff, students <strong>and</strong> graduates who have<br />

all contributed magnificently to the<br />

culture <strong>of</strong> excellence at UQ,” he said.<br />

AUQA – which has carried out a<br />

number <strong>of</strong> audits <strong>of</strong> Australian<br />

Mr Stumer<br />

universities in the past two years –<br />

concluded that UQ was monitoring<br />

itself effectively on a continuous basis.<br />

The panel, chaired by <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> New South Wales Pro Vice-Chancellor<br />

(Education) Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Adrian<br />

Lee, conducted interviews with more<br />

than 300 staff, students <strong>and</strong> other UQ<br />

stakeholders.<br />

The AUQA panellists also commended<br />

UQ’s 35-member Senate, describing<br />

it as “reflective <strong>and</strong> engaged”<br />

<strong>and</strong> praising the positive relationship<br />

between the Senate, UQ executive <strong>and</strong><br />

the wider <strong>University</strong> community.<br />

The report contained 19 commendations<br />

which singled out UQ’s<br />

outst<strong>and</strong>ing strategic management,<br />

teaching <strong>and</strong> learning processes <strong>and</strong><br />

strong support for researchers.<br />

It noted UQ’s excellence in<br />

research “...is not achieved at the<br />

expense <strong>of</strong> teaching” <strong>and</strong> praised UQ’s<br />

Teaching <strong>and</strong> learning enhancement<br />

plan as “...a live document, acted upon<br />

<strong>and</strong> regularly updated”.<br />

Significantly, the auditors prefaced<br />

its recommendations for action<br />

by acknowledging UQ had already<br />

identified most areas requiring action.<br />

Recent organisational change at UQ<br />

– involving rationalising the number <strong>of</strong><br />

schools <strong>and</strong> reorganising faculties –<br />

had been h<strong>and</strong>led well, the panel found.<br />

Other key areas <strong>of</strong> commendation<br />

included the following:<br />

• Strategy, planning <strong>and</strong> management:<br />

The report commended UQ’s method<br />

<strong>of</strong> prioritising its budget to support<br />

strategic priorities <strong>and</strong> found UQ’s devolved<br />

method <strong>of</strong> operation effective.<br />

• Teaching <strong>and</strong> learning: UQ’s quality<br />

processes for monitoring <strong>and</strong> enhancing<br />

teaching <strong>and</strong> learning <strong>of</strong> students<br />

was praised as was UQ’s ongoing<br />

school review process.<br />

• Research <strong>and</strong> research training:<br />

UQ’s strong support for higher degree<br />

students, managed by the Graduate<br />

School, <strong>and</strong> for early-career researchers,<br />

was commended.<br />

• International activities: Several<br />

aspects <strong>of</strong> UQ’s international student<br />

recruitment activities were comm-<br />

’<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

UQ benefits from<br />

strong leadership<br />

which sets a clear<br />

’<br />

strategic direction<br />

ended, including the rigorous process<br />

involved in appointing overseas<br />

agents.<br />

• Community partnerships: UQ’s outreach<br />

work with schools, particularly<br />

its Bright Minds project, was commended.<br />

UQ’s “...thoughtful <strong>and</strong> extensive<br />

work with the Gatton <strong>and</strong> Ipswich<br />

communities” was also highlighted.<br />

• Administrative <strong>and</strong> support services:<br />

UQ’s excellence was noted in the<br />

provision <strong>of</strong> a highly pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

Cybrary, a range <strong>of</strong> IT services <strong>and</strong><br />

effective student support services.<br />

Acknowledging the role students<br />

at UQ play on committees <strong>and</strong> panels,<br />

AUQA encouraged the <strong>University</strong> to<br />

provide them with additional support<br />

<strong>and</strong> agreed UQ should further develop<br />

its student experience survey.<br />

The AUQA audit panel also consisted<br />

<strong>of</strong> Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mairead<br />

Browne, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Technology<br />

Sydney; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Gavin, New<br />

Zeal<strong>and</strong> Cancer Control Trust; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Colin Macleod, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Western Australia; <strong>and</strong> Dr David<br />

Woodhouse, AUQA.<br />

w www.auqa.edu.au/<br />

qualityaudit/sai_reports<br />

Scholar on Rhodes to Oxford<br />

A UQ graduate has been chosen<br />

as the 2004 Queensl<strong>and</strong> Rhodes<br />

scholar.<br />

Andrew Stumer graduated from<br />

UQ with a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Arts/Law (first<br />

class honours) in May 2002.<br />

He will head to the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Oxford in the United Kingdom next<br />

year to take up the scholarship.<br />

The 24-year-old, who has a passion<br />

for ancient history, said he was<br />

delighted to have been chosen to<br />

receive the scholarship.<br />

“I’m hoping to study for a research<br />

degree with a focus on international<br />

law,” he said.<br />

Mr Stumer, who has an outst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

academic record including several<br />

Dean’s Commendations for High<br />

Achievement, received a <strong>University</strong><br />

Medal in 20<strong>01</strong> for his exceptionally<br />

high Grade Point Average (GPA).<br />

The Governor <strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong> Her<br />

Excellency Quentin Bryce, AC<br />

announced the winner on October 28<br />

at UQ’s St Lucia campus.<br />

The selection committee interviewed<br />

six short-listed c<strong>and</strong>idates<br />

before choosing Mr Stumer who will<br />

join five other state winners <strong>and</strong> three<br />

from Australia-at-Large.<br />

Founded in 1902 under the will <strong>of</strong><br />

the late Cecil John Rhodes, the<br />

scholarships are for an initial two<br />

years, with the possibility <strong>of</strong> a third.<br />

C<strong>and</strong>idates must be aged between<br />

19 <strong>and</strong> 25 years <strong>and</strong> citizens <strong>of</strong> the<br />

country from which they are selected.<br />

Since the scheme began, approximately<br />

500 Rhodes scholars have<br />

been selected, with women becoming<br />

eligible in 1972.<br />

The qualities set out by the late<br />

Cecil Rhodes for those seeking Rhodes<br />

scholarships include academic <strong>and</strong><br />

intellectual excellence; integrity <strong>of</strong><br />

character; respect for fellow beings;<br />

<strong>and</strong> a capacity for leadership; with<br />

sporting prowess an advantage, but<br />

not a necessity.<br />

4<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003


Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Craik<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paull <strong>and</strong> PhD student Judy Odam with a scramjet.<br />

Nation’s leading linkages<br />

UQ remains one <strong>of</strong><br />

Australia’s top<br />

beneficiaries <strong>of</strong><br />

Federal Government<br />

funding allocations<br />

for research.<br />

UQ topped the nation’s universities<br />

in funding from the first<br />

round <strong>of</strong> Australian Research Council<br />

(ARC) Linkage Projects announced<br />

on October 15.<br />

UQ’s Linkage Projects for 2004<br />

are worth $19 million, made up <strong>of</strong><br />

$8.7 million in ARC funding <strong>and</strong><br />

$10.3 million in industry partner<br />

contributions, ensuring UQ remains<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the nation’s leaders in the<br />

Commonwealth Government’s funding<br />

allocations, announced by Federal<br />

Minister for Education, Science <strong>and</strong><br />

Training Dr Brendan Nelson.<br />

“It is an outst<strong>and</strong>ing result <strong>and</strong><br />

UQ is clearly the leader in Linkage<br />

Projects around the country,” said<br />

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor David Siddle.<br />

The Linkage Projects program<br />

funds collaborative projects between<br />

university researchers <strong>and</strong> partner<br />

organisations.<br />

UQ also attracted another $19<br />

million in the ARC Dis<strong>cover</strong>y Projects<br />

scheme, including two grants worth<br />

almost $2 million each.<br />

UQ’s ground-breaking research<br />

into scramjet engines, through its<br />

HyShot program, was awarded one <strong>of</strong><br />

the largest-ever ARC grants <strong>of</strong> $1.8<br />

million over five years (2003–20<strong>07</strong>).<br />

Led by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Allan Paull from<br />

UQ’s Centre for Hypersonics, <strong>and</strong><br />

joined by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Richard Morgan,<br />

Dr David Mee <strong>and</strong> Dr Tim McIntyre,<br />

the funding will go towards furthering<br />

research into the field.<br />

In particular, the team will aim to<br />

develop an engine that operates at 10<br />

times the speed <strong>of</strong> sound, which would<br />

revolutionise air <strong>and</strong> space travel.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor David Craik from UQ’s<br />

Institute for Molecular Bioscience<br />

(IMB) <strong>and</strong> Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Marilyn Anderson from La Trobe <strong>University</strong><br />

were awarded $1.75 million to<br />

develop the next generation <strong>of</strong> drug<br />

design <strong>and</strong> insecticides.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Craik is researching the<br />

unique structure <strong>and</strong> function <strong>of</strong> circular<br />

proteins that has exciting prospects<br />

to be applied in pharmaceuticals<br />

<strong>and</strong> agriculture.<br />

Circular proteins have no ends,<br />

making them exceptionally stable <strong>and</strong><br />

resistant to enzyme digestion, which<br />

is perfect for the development <strong>of</strong><br />

drugs <strong>and</strong> insecticides.<br />

UQ also performed well nationally<br />

in the three fellowship categories that<br />

are integrated into the Dis<strong>cover</strong>y grants.<br />

It received the second highest<br />

number <strong>of</strong> Australian Research Fellowships<br />

(two) <strong>and</strong> equal-second<br />

highest number <strong>of</strong> Australian Pr<strong>of</strong>essorial<br />

Fellowships (three), <strong>and</strong> 11<br />

Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships,<br />

fourth highest in the country.<br />

UQ also performed well again in<br />

the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment<br />

<strong>and</strong> Facilities (LIEF) grants with $1.85<br />

million in ARC funding <strong>and</strong> $2.8<br />

million from its partners to have $4.6<br />

million in total devoted to five large<br />

infrastructure projects.<br />

in<br />

brief<br />

Art exhibition<br />

1962: Scott Redford selected<br />

works 1983–1992 will be on<br />

display at the <strong>University</strong> Art<br />

Museum until November 22.<br />

“Scott Redford is one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

few artists to have sustained a<br />

successful <strong>and</strong> critically acclaimed<br />

national <strong>and</strong> international<br />

practice from Queensl<strong>and</strong> since<br />

the 1980s,” said <strong>University</strong> Art<br />

Museum Director Ross Searle.<br />

He said the Brisbane-based<br />

artist directly referenced international<br />

art styles in his work.<br />

The exhibition focuses on Mr<br />

Redford’s well-known black<br />

“paintings” <strong>and</strong> floor pieces,<br />

with its title referring to the<br />

artist’s birth year <strong>of</strong> 1962.<br />

The museum is on level five<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Forgan Smith Tower, UQ St<br />

Lucia, <strong>and</strong> is open every Tuesday<br />

to Friday from 10am–4pm <strong>and</strong> on<br />

Saturdays from 12–4pm.<br />

UQ Gatton on show<br />

UQ Gatton will have a high pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

at Farm <strong>and</strong> Food Expo 2003<br />

from November 15–16.<br />

UQ Gatton’s Dr Rob Fletcher<br />

<strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Daryl Joyce will<br />

give presentations.<br />

The free event will be held<br />

from 9am–4pm at St Joseph’s<br />

College, Twigg St, Indooroopilly.<br />

Information:<br />

www.agriprose.com.au/expo<br />

Moreton Bay open day<br />

UQ’s Moreton Bay Research<br />

Station will hold an open day on<br />

November 16 from 10am–3pm.<br />

Events include tours <strong>of</strong> the<br />

station, guided field walks,<br />

research talks, display tanks <strong>and</strong><br />

a sausage sizzle.<br />

The free event will take place<br />

on the corner <strong>of</strong> Flinders Avenue<br />

<strong>and</strong> Fraser Street, Dunwich,<br />

North Stradbroke Isl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003 5


in<br />

brief<br />

Cromwell celebrations<br />

Cromwell College will hold a<br />

weekend <strong>of</strong> celebrations<br />

marking 50 years <strong>of</strong> residency in<br />

June 2004.<br />

In 1954, Cromwell became<br />

the first college to accept residents<br />

at UQ St Lucia.<br />

The celebratory weekend<br />

will include a dinner dance at<br />

the Brisbane Hilton on June 5<br />

<strong>and</strong> a celebration in the college’s<br />

Griffith Memorial Chapel on<br />

June 6.<br />

Information: www.uq.edu.au/<br />

cromwell<br />

Mr Hoskin with a Gulbaru gecko.<br />

Free IT classes<br />

UQ staff <strong>and</strong> students can<br />

improve their IT skills free via<br />

web-based flexible-learning<br />

options<br />

The UQ Library has renewed<br />

subscription to the Monash<br />

Learning Fast package, which<br />

includes interactive tutorials<br />

(including tests) in Word, Excel,<br />

Access, PowerPoint, webpage<br />

design, Internet search skills <strong>and</strong><br />

MYOB accounting.<br />

Information: http://<br />

askit.uq.edu.au/learningfast<br />

Youth leaders awarded<br />

UQ international students Sheikh<br />

Mohammod Rafiqul Hasan <strong>and</strong><br />

Petra Suhren are two <strong>of</strong> six<br />

inaugural Commonwealth Youth<br />

Leadership Award winners.<br />

The awards <strong>of</strong>fer opportunities<br />

to postgraduate Australian<br />

Development Scholarship holders<br />

from eligible Asian <strong>and</strong> Pacific<br />

Commonwealth countries to<br />

prepare for leadership roles in<br />

their home countries.<br />

Mr Hasan, studying for a<br />

Master <strong>of</strong> Geographical<br />

Information Science, <strong>and</strong> Ms<br />

Suhren, completing a Master <strong>of</strong><br />

Financial Management, said they<br />

would use the opportunity to<br />

further their careers <strong>and</strong> create<br />

positive changes in their<br />

countries.<br />

The awards are a Youth For<br />

The Future initiative <strong>and</strong> are<br />

funded by AusAID.<br />

Gecko<br />

goes<br />

public<br />

A pair <strong>of</strong> glowing<br />

red eyes signalled<br />

an important find<br />

for a PhD student in<br />

North Queensl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

AUQ PhD student has dis<strong>cover</strong>ed<br />

an ancient <strong>and</strong> remarkable<br />

species <strong>of</strong> leaf-tailed gecko in a<br />

remote area north-west <strong>of</strong> Townsville,<br />

in North Queensl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

Conrad Hoskin from UQ’s School<br />

A Gulbaru<br />

gecko<br />

<strong>of</strong> Life Sciences has described the<br />

new species, known as the Gulbaru<br />

gecko (Phyllurus gulbaru) in the<br />

Australian Journal <strong>of</strong> Zoology.<br />

He has already expressed concern<br />

for the species <strong>and</strong> said under current<br />

international conservation criteria it<br />

warranted an endangered listing.<br />

He said the Gulbaru gecko was<br />

a spectacular creature that was<br />

prickly <strong>and</strong> large – about 13cm long.<br />

“Like most geckos, it has no<br />

eyelids <strong>and</strong> has to keep moistening<br />

its eyes with its tongue,” he said.<br />

“It is perfectly camouflaged to its<br />

rocky environment, with granite-like<br />

colourings <strong>and</strong> is hard to find.<br />

“Unlike most geckos, it has no<br />

pads on its skinny fingers, so it cannot<br />

climb windows like common household<br />

geckos: instead it has sharp<br />

claws for climbing rocks.<br />

“Leaf-tailed geckos are so-called<br />

because their tails look like flat<br />

leaves, but the Gulbaru gecko’s tail<br />

is long <strong>and</strong> cylindrical.”<br />

In 1998, Mr Hoskin dis<strong>cover</strong>ed<br />

a distinct leaf-tailed gecko, the Mt<br />

Elliot gecko (Phyllurus amnicola) in<br />

a neighbouring area near Townsville.<br />

In 20<strong>01</strong>, he was with a UQ group<br />

checking skink populations <strong>and</strong><br />

during a nocturnal search to look for<br />

geckos, he was confronted by a pair<br />

<strong>of</strong> red eyes glowing in the dark.<br />

It was the Gulbaru gecko, an<br />

obviously different species which on<br />

genetic examination proved to be<br />

more closely related to leaf-tailed<br />

geckos from the Mackay area than<br />

the Mt Elliot gecko Phyllurus<br />

amnicola Mr Hoskin had previously<br />

dis<strong>cover</strong>ed.<br />

He said only two small sub-populations<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Gulbaru gecko were<br />

known to exist, both in rocky rainforest<br />

areas surrounded by open eucalypt<br />

forests, little <strong>of</strong> which were protected.<br />

“It is one <strong>of</strong> the most narrowly<br />

restricted reptile species in Queensl<strong>and</strong>,”<br />

he said.<br />

“The species is distributed in two<br />

sub-populations near Townsville in<br />

a total area estimated at less than 14<br />

square kilometres.<br />

“The destruction <strong>of</strong> habitat by<br />

unmanaged burning continues to<br />

reduce <strong>and</strong> further fragment it.”<br />

Mr Hoskin is also describing a<br />

new frog <strong>and</strong> species <strong>of</strong> reducedlimb<br />

lizard from North Queensl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

He said the dis<strong>cover</strong>ies were <strong>of</strong><br />

considerable interest as it was rare to<br />

find a new vertebrate species, especially<br />

along the populated east coast.<br />

His thesis on rainforest speciation<br />

in frogs is being supervised by UQ<br />

Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hamish McCallum<br />

<strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Craig Moritz at the<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> California at Berkeley.<br />

His work has received support including<br />

a UQ Graduate School Travel<br />

Award, an Australian Postgraduate<br />

Award, <strong>and</strong> funding from the National<br />

Science Foundation, Cooperative<br />

Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest<br />

Ecology <strong>and</strong> Management <strong>and</strong><br />

the Queensl<strong>and</strong> Museum.<br />

6 UQ NEWS, november 2003


Education in focus<br />

OTHER UQ TEACHING<br />

AND LEARNING WEEK<br />

HIGHLIGHTS<br />

The second annual UQ Teaching <strong>and</strong> Learning Week from November<br />

10–14 will showcase teaching methods <strong>and</strong> reward excellence.<br />

ACHIEVERS ACKNOWLEDGED<br />

UQ Teaching <strong>and</strong> Learning Week<br />

will begin with the announcement <strong>of</strong><br />

UQ’s 2003 excellence in teaching,<br />

research supervision <strong>and</strong> enhancement<br />

<strong>of</strong> student learning awards.<br />

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Margaret Gardner<br />

said the awards were designed to<br />

recognise, encourage <strong>and</strong> reward<br />

sustained excellence in teaching,<br />

supervision <strong>of</strong> research higher degree<br />

c<strong>and</strong>idates, <strong>and</strong> excellence in the<br />

learning environment <strong>and</strong> provision <strong>of</strong><br />

student services.<br />

The awards will be announced at<br />

a gala ceremony on November 10 at<br />

Brisbane’s Customs House.<br />

Five winners will receive $10,000<br />

Awards for Excellence in Teaching,<br />

which were established in 1988 <strong>and</strong><br />

are funded by the <strong>University</strong> <strong>and</strong> The<br />

Alumni Association <strong>of</strong> The <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong> Inc.<br />

Up to three $10,000 Awards for<br />

Excellence in Research Higher<br />

Degree Supervision will also be<br />

awarded.<br />

Australia’s first <strong>of</strong>ficial university<br />

awards for excellence in research<br />

higher degree supervision were<br />

established at UQ in 2000 <strong>and</strong> are an<br />

initiative <strong>of</strong> the UQ Graduate School<br />

<strong>and</strong> the UQ Union.<br />

For the second year, two teams,<br />

programs or organisational units will<br />

be presented with $20,000 Awards for<br />

Enhancement <strong>of</strong> Student Learning by<br />

the <strong>University</strong> Academic Board.<br />

Third-year chemical engineering students (from left) Lynette Luo, Michael Zed <strong>and</strong><br />

Jordan Mellick with Ms Crosthwaite.<br />

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS<br />

Novel teaching methods designed to<br />

produce successful graduate outcomes<br />

will be under the spotlight at a Teaching<br />

<strong>and</strong> learning excellence showcase<br />

from 5.30–7pm on November 13 in the<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Bioscience Precinct<br />

auditorium, UQ St Lucia.<br />

The free public event will focus<br />

on undergraduate teaching initiatives<br />

in engineering <strong>and</strong> science.<br />

Two presentations will demonstrate<br />

ultra-modern techniques for imparting<br />

in-depth knowledge <strong>and</strong> specific<br />

graduate attributes – <strong>and</strong> include tips<br />

on how high schools, students <strong>and</strong><br />

parents can prepare for university<br />

study.<br />

Caroline Crosthwaite from the<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Engineering will showcase<br />

the project-centred approach used to<br />

enhance teaching <strong>and</strong> learning in<br />

chemical <strong>and</strong> environmental engineering.<br />

Students take on realistic projects,<br />

<strong>of</strong>ten sourced from industry, <strong>and</strong> work<br />

in teams to develop communication<br />

<strong>and</strong> project management skills as well<br />

as technical engineering knowledge.<br />

A teaching team from the Faculty<br />

<strong>of</strong> Biological <strong>and</strong> Chemical Sciences<br />

will discuss strategies for developing<br />

excitement <strong>and</strong> a love <strong>of</strong> science in<br />

first-year biological science students.<br />

The strategies include new ways <strong>of</strong><br />

mentoring at-risk students, advanced<br />

study programs for exceptional students,<br />

innovative learning guides <strong>and</strong><br />

novel uses for computing facilities.<br />

Parking <strong>and</strong> refreshments will be<br />

available.<br />

BOOKINGS (BY NOVEMBER 11):<br />

TELEPHONE <strong>07</strong> 3365 7045,<br />

EMAIL E.KERR@UQ.EDU.AU<br />

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3–<br />

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14<br />

Online open house<br />

Designed for UQ staff <strong>and</strong><br />

students to dis<strong>cover</strong> how flexible<br />

learning works. Each faculty<br />

will present a copy <strong>of</strong> a WebCT<br />

site demonstrating good online<br />

practice. Discussion areas will<br />

not include student contributions,<br />

for privacy reasons. Visit<br />

www.webct.elearn.uq.edu.au<br />

<strong>and</strong> type in the word “staff ” for<br />

both username <strong>and</strong> password.<br />

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12<br />

Teaching excellence showcase<br />

Curriculum design in animal<br />

physiotherapy plus innovations<br />

from the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Natural<br />

Resources, Agriculture <strong>and</strong><br />

Veterinary Sciences’ Learning<br />

Enhancement Project will be<br />

highlighted at the free public<br />

event, which includes lunch,<br />

from 11am–3pm on November<br />

12 at UQ Gatton.<br />

Bookings: c.steel@uq.edu.au<br />

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14<br />

Postgraduate Flexible<br />

Learning Funding Scheme<br />

workshop<br />

Potential grant applicants can<br />

investigate flexible learning<br />

directions <strong>and</strong> program development,<br />

discuss ideas with<br />

Teaching <strong>and</strong> Educational Development<br />

Institute (TEDI)<br />

educational designers, <strong>and</strong> see<br />

presentations by previous grant<br />

winners from 9.30–11am in the<br />

seminar room, TEDI, UQ St<br />

Lucia.<br />

Bookings: <strong>07</strong> 3365 2666,<br />

staffdev@tedi.uq.edu.au<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003<br />

7


Teams <strong>of</strong> challengers at UQ’s Corporate brain tease.<br />

Brains teased for good cause<br />

More than 200 trivia buffs from the<br />

corporate sector <strong>and</strong> the <strong>University</strong> put<br />

their reputations on the line in a gala<br />

fundraising event last month.<br />

Paynter Dixon’s Erica Lambert <strong>and</strong> Wes Smith with Queensl<strong>and</strong> Health`s<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Jennifer Abbey (centre).<br />

Popular Brisbane television<br />

newsreader Rod Young had 40<br />

teams <strong>of</strong> would-be quiz wizards<br />

scratching their heads at the UQ<br />

Development <strong>Office</strong> Corporate Brain<br />

Tease on October 8.<br />

The tough trivia-question event<br />

was one <strong>of</strong> the major fundraising<br />

activities for UQ’s Brain Disease<br />

Challenge, <strong>and</strong> added more than<br />

$20,000 in cash <strong>and</strong> in-kind support<br />

to appeal c<strong>of</strong>fers.<br />

The challenge aims to raise funds<br />

for much-needed research into brain<br />

<strong>and</strong> nervous system diseases including<br />

Alzheimer’s, Cerebral Palsy,<br />

Multiple Sclerosis <strong>and</strong> stroke.<br />

Besides a host <strong>of</strong> prizes for Brain<br />

Tease team members, including meals<br />

for two at leading Brisbane eateries,<br />

there were also two well-subscribed<br />

raffles.<br />

Brisbane Lions coach Leigh<br />

Matthews, also a co-chair <strong>of</strong> the Brain<br />

Disease Challenge, donated an<br />

autographed team jumper as worn by<br />

the three-time Australian Football<br />

League premiers.<br />

The second raffle prize, donated<br />

by Lexus <strong>of</strong> Brisbane, was a weekend<br />

loan <strong>of</strong> a luxury vehicle.<br />

The winning team was Quizzical,<br />

who scored 52 correct answers from<br />

60 questions after leading the event<br />

from the first round.<br />

Development <strong>Office</strong> Director<br />

Margaret Burke said the event<br />

attracted widespread support from<br />

Brisbane’s corporate sector, as well as<br />

from within the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

“We’ve had such a positive response<br />

we will be conducting this<br />

fundraising event on an annual basis,”<br />

she said.<br />

To make a tax-deductible donation<br />

to the challenge, contact Ms Burke.<br />

☎ <strong>07</strong> 3346 3902<br />

e margaret.burke@uq.edu.au<br />

8 UQ NEWS, november 2003


From left: Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Gardner, Mr Beattie <strong>and</strong> Mr Dessert<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Lindsay in the new teaching laboratory<br />

All systems go<br />

Model <strong>of</strong> a 737 AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft<br />

A major partnership<br />

between Boeing <strong>and</strong><br />

UQ will have<br />

significant, long-term<br />

benefits for the<br />

aviation industry.<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003<br />

year $1.55 million grant to UQ to<br />

establish a Boeing Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in<br />

Systems Engineering.<br />

Part <strong>of</strong> the funding was ear-marked<br />

to establish the teaching laboratory,<br />

which has been equipped with workstations<br />

<strong>and</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware tools worth more<br />

than $3 million.<br />

More than 300 postgraduate <strong>and</strong><br />

undergraduate students a week, as well<br />

as researchers, are expected to use the<br />

new laboratory for aviation <strong>and</strong><br />

aerospace research involving complex<br />

systems, such as those used on<br />

Boeing’s Wedgetail 737 Airborne<br />

Early Warning <strong>and</strong> Control (AEW&C)<br />

project .<br />

Boeing provided funding for the<br />

AEW&C project being run in<br />

conjunction with the Commonwealth<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> is set to become a<br />

major training centre for Australia<br />

<strong>and</strong> south-east Asia to address<br />

a critical, world-wide shortage <strong>of</strong><br />

systems engineers.<br />

UQ <strong>and</strong> the Boeing Company<br />

launched a new training laboratory<br />

at the <strong>University</strong>’s St Lucia campus<br />

on September 24 as part <strong>of</strong> a multipronged<br />

strategy to overcome such<br />

shortages.<br />

Students using the Boeing<br />

Systems Engineering Teaching<br />

Laboratory <strong>and</strong> enrolling in a<br />

Master <strong>of</strong> Systems Engineering<br />

program which begins next year.<br />

They are expected to be in<br />

international dem<strong>and</strong> once they<br />

graduate.<br />

The program is one <strong>of</strong> only a<br />

few in the country <strong>and</strong> has a unique<br />

emphasis on computer-based<br />

systems.<br />

Systems engineers build highly<br />

complex, computer-based systems<br />

such as aircraft.<br />

A common example <strong>of</strong> a<br />

complex system is an Automatic<br />

Teller Machine (ATM), which<br />

allows people to withdraw money<br />

from bank accounts which might<br />

be on the other side <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />

Boeing has provided a five<strong>of</strong><br />

Australia. Australia has contracted<br />

for four 737 AEW&C systems <strong>and</strong><br />

Boeing expects to deliver the first two<br />

in 2006.<br />

The Wedgetail system requires<br />

interdisciplinary expertise, <strong>and</strong> it is<br />

important for Australia’s defence to<br />

have the capacity to build or contribute<br />

to such systems.<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Premier Peter Beattie<br />

<strong>and</strong> senior Boeing executives<br />

including Ross Dessert <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Wedgetail airspace surveillance<br />

program attended the <strong>of</strong>ficial opening<br />

<strong>of</strong> the laboratory.<br />

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Margaret Gardner<br />

congratulated Boeing on its foresight,<br />

<strong>and</strong> said the funding from the<br />

company had enabled UQ to establish<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Lindsay with an F-111 jet fighter plane at the Amberley Air Force Base at Ipswich.<br />

PHOTO: LYNDON MECHIELSEN, THE AUSTRALIAN<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the few systems engineering<br />

programs in the country.<br />

“It will help develop further<br />

expertise in the aviation <strong>and</strong> aerospace<br />

industry, which employs 4000<br />

people in Queensl<strong>and</strong>,” she said.<br />

Patrick Gill, Boeing Vice-<br />

President, 737 AEW&C Programs,<br />

said Boeing was happy to help further<br />

improve the outst<strong>and</strong>ing capabilities<br />

<strong>of</strong> UQ’s engineering programs.<br />

UQ’s first Boeing Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />

Systems Engineering, Peter Lindsay,<br />

said the IT <strong>and</strong> communications<br />

revolution meant systems were<br />

integrating together extremely quickly,<br />

highlighting the need for the development<br />

<strong>of</strong> a whole new generation <strong>of</strong><br />

systems engineers.<br />

“The existing international shortage<br />

<strong>of</strong> systems engineers is set to<br />

increase dramatically <strong>and</strong> to perhaps<br />

even as much as double in the next<br />

few years,” he said.<br />

“The recent American example<br />

when more than 50 million<br />

people lost power because <strong>of</strong> a<br />

simple failure in one part <strong>of</strong> the<br />

electricity grid highlights the<br />

importance <strong>of</strong> systems engineering.<br />

“Protection systems are supposed<br />

to isolate such failures.<br />

“We have technology enabling<br />

massive power generation <strong>and</strong><br />

transmission, but we still don’t<br />

underst<strong>and</strong> the integration systems<br />

designed to enable systems<br />

to st<strong>and</strong> alone as a protection<br />

mechanism.<br />

“The new lab will enable such<br />

systems to be modelled <strong>and</strong> analysed<br />

to underst<strong>and</strong> how to manage<br />

such large, complex systems.”<br />

9


Financiers<br />

focus on<br />

service<br />

With a background in<br />

industry, UQ’s new Chief<br />

Financial <strong>Office</strong>r will focus on<br />

providing complete customer<br />

service to students, faculties<br />

<strong>and</strong> external clients.<br />

Paul Mullooly, who has experience<br />

in a variety <strong>of</strong> large <strong>and</strong><br />

complex industries, has worked as<br />

Director <strong>of</strong> Finance at the <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Auckl<strong>and</strong> for the past two<br />

years.<br />

He took up his new appointment<br />

at UQ on October 6.<br />

He said in financial terms there<br />

was no real difference between a<br />

university <strong>and</strong> a commercial<br />

business.<br />

“We are here to provide a<br />

service to the rest <strong>of</strong> UQ in terms<br />

<strong>of</strong> financial management, providing<br />

appropriate internal controls,<br />

management <strong>of</strong> information <strong>and</strong><br />

financial advice,” he said.<br />

Before entering the university<br />

environment in Auckl<strong>and</strong>, Mr<br />

Mullooly coordinated finances for<br />

organisations ranging from pip<br />

fruit exportation to pharmaceutical<br />

distribution.<br />

“My role was focused in reengineering,<br />

restructuring <strong>and</strong><br />

devising management information<br />

systems in those industries<br />

while they were going through<br />

deregulation,” he said.<br />

The new position <strong>of</strong> Chief Financial<br />

<strong>Office</strong>r replaces that <strong>of</strong><br />

Bursar.<br />

Mr Mullooly said he would use<br />

the role to place an emphasis on<br />

total customer service <strong>and</strong><br />

anticipate financial needs <strong>and</strong><br />

requirements at UQ.<br />

“This team is going to be<br />

completely client-focused,” he<br />

said.<br />

Mr Mullooly<br />

Mr Aleer<br />

Harrowing journey ends in hope<br />

Fleeing from country to country in constant danger, a Sudanese<br />

refugee has finally found his home <strong>and</strong> long-lost sister in Australia.<br />

It’s been a long, 15-year walk to<br />

freedom for former “Lost Boy”<br />

Abraham Aleer.<br />

Since the age <strong>of</strong> five, the Sudanese<br />

refugee has been running from one<br />

refugee camp to another, fleeing from<br />

soldiers <strong>and</strong> wild animals <strong>and</strong> walking<br />

daily with death.<br />

But now he has found a new life,<br />

missing family <strong>and</strong> a sense <strong>of</strong> purpose<br />

as an Australian <strong>and</strong> a UQ Bachelor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Arts student.<br />

The happy ending to his harrowing<br />

journey, spanning three African<br />

countries, was recently featured on<br />

Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes program.<br />

Mr Aleer was born in Sudan <strong>and</strong><br />

during civil unrest in 1987 his village<br />

was attacked, his father killed <strong>and</strong> he<br />

<strong>and</strong> his brother separated from their<br />

mother.<br />

“We ran away <strong>and</strong> hid thinking we<br />

would go back later,” he said.<br />

“But we couldn’t go back as there<br />

was nothing left.<br />

“We saw some people walking so<br />

we followed them. We all walked<br />

together.”<br />

Mr Aleer was one <strong>of</strong> some 18,000<br />

“Lost Boys”, a term used to describe<br />

male children aged between five <strong>and</strong><br />

12 displaced by civil unrest in Sudan.<br />

For many their only option was to<br />

run away or join the army <strong>and</strong> fight<br />

in the bloody civil war.<br />

Walking through desolate country,<br />

they were easy prey to wild animals<br />

such as lions, crocodiles <strong>and</strong> hyenas<br />

<strong>and</strong> many died along the way.<br />

“We survived on water <strong>and</strong> by eating<br />

leaves. Sometimes we’d catch a<br />

fish <strong>and</strong> cook it on the fire – but not<br />

always,” he said.<br />

“My brother died on the way after<br />

mistakenly eating some poisonous<br />

leaves. Every day boys died <strong>and</strong><br />

every day you waited for your time.”<br />

Mr Aleer’s group arrived at a refugee<br />

camp in Ethiopia but were forced<br />

to move on when war broke out in 1991.<br />

They finally reached the Kakuma<br />

refugee camp in north-eastern Kenya<br />

where life became more settled <strong>and</strong><br />

Mr Aleer started school.<br />

It was at Kakuma that he met UQ<br />

arts/social sciences student Troy<br />

O’Neill while he was doing three<br />

months, volunteer refugee work.<br />

Mr O’Neill was amazed that not<br />

only had Mr Aleer survived such<br />

harrowing experiences but that he was<br />

also determined to go to school.<br />

’<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

Every day boys<br />

died <strong>and</strong> every day<br />

you waited for<br />

your time<br />

“Getting an education in a refugee<br />

camp in the middle <strong>of</strong> the desert wasn’t<br />

easy, but not only did Abraham do it,<br />

he excelled at it,” Mr O’Neill said.<br />

Mr Aleer was one <strong>of</strong> 82 “Lost<br />

Boys” accepted into Australia <strong>and</strong><br />

arrived earlier this year.<br />

With Mr O’Neill’s encouragement,<br />

Mr Aleer approached UQ.<br />

“I was very nervous when I attended<br />

my first lecture,” Mr Aleer said.<br />

Having never seen tall buildings,<br />

mobile phones or Automatic Teller<br />

Machines (ATMs) before coming to<br />

Australia, computers presented a<br />

problem.<br />

Mr Aleer now studies part-time<br />

<strong>and</strong> works for the Brisbane City<br />

Council helping other newly-arrived<br />

Sudanese young people settle into<br />

life in Australia.<br />

He recently found a distant cousin<br />

living in the Brisbane suburb <strong>of</strong><br />

Kingston caring for his now 15-yearold<br />

sister, whom his mother was<br />

carrying at the time <strong>of</strong> the attack.<br />

Mr Aleer now lives with them <strong>and</strong><br />

hopes to work for the United Nations<br />

or the Australian foreign affairs<br />

department as an international aid<br />

worker.<br />

“I was a refugee for 15 years. It<br />

was my childhood. I was brought up<br />

by the international community so<br />

my responsibility is to go back <strong>and</strong><br />

help if I can,” he said.<br />

10<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003


Incubator drives<br />

biotech boom<br />

UniQuest Pty Ltd, UQ’s main<br />

technology commercialisation<br />

company, has unveiled the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s first formal<br />

technology incubator.<br />

The incubator includes <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

<strong>and</strong> dry laboratory facilities <strong>and</strong><br />

is home to two start-up companies<br />

that have attracted multi-million<br />

dollar investment: Fultec Pty Ltd<br />

<strong>and</strong> QRxPharma Pty Ltd.<br />

The facility, which provides<br />

resources to assist the commercialisation<br />

<strong>of</strong> new technologies,<br />

also accommodates the Queensl<strong>and</strong><br />

Executive <strong>of</strong> the Australian<br />

biotechnology industry’s peak<br />

body, AusBiotech Ltd.<br />

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paul Greenfield <strong>of</strong>ficially<br />

opened the incubator on<br />

October 9.<br />

UniQuest Managing Director<br />

David Henderson said start-up<br />

companies generally occupied<br />

such facilities for a period <strong>of</strong><br />

around 12 months after which they<br />

sought more extensive commercial<br />

premises.<br />

“The incubator provides an<br />

environment midway between the<br />

laboratory <strong>and</strong> the commercial<br />

world,” he said.<br />

“Its advantages are nearness to<br />

UniQuest resources such as information<br />

technology, administration<br />

<strong>and</strong> accounting support, <strong>and</strong> to the<br />

wealth <strong>of</strong> expertise, facilities <strong>and</strong><br />

equipment at UQ.”<br />

QRxPharma was formed to<br />

commercialise a UQ-developed<br />

package <strong>of</strong> health sciences technologies.<br />

In October 2002, it secured a<br />

$10 million investment deal –<br />

believed to be one <strong>of</strong> the largest<br />

ever financing agreements involving<br />

an Australian university<br />

technology transfer company.<br />

Fultec, which recently received<br />

$1 million from the Allen & Buckeridge<br />

(A&B) Emerging Technologies<br />

Fund, is commercialising the<br />

Transient Blocking Unit (TBU).<br />

The TBU is an innovative<br />

electronic component designed to<br />

protect complex electronic circuits<br />

such as high-speed communications<br />

interfaces from voltage<br />

surges.<br />

ON THE TRAIL<br />

OF RESEARCH<br />

UniQuest Pty Ltd has<br />

launched a competition to<br />

reward <strong>and</strong> develop<br />

innovation at UQ.<br />

The Trailblazer Challenge<br />

aims to: provide funding to<br />

advance research outcomes<br />

with commercial potential;<br />

develop new ideas; <strong>and</strong> reward<br />

key staff.<br />

UniQuest Managing<br />

Director David Henderson<br />

said five prizes <strong>of</strong> $8000<br />

each would be awarded to<br />

UQ students or employees<br />

to be used for equipment,<br />

travel or research costs.<br />

“The competition aims to<br />

get people thinking about the<br />

commercial potential <strong>of</strong> their<br />

ideas <strong>and</strong> research,” he said.<br />

Verbal presentations <strong>and</strong><br />

judging will take place on<br />

November 14.<br />

Mr Henderson said in<br />

addition to the prizes, shortlisted<br />

applicants would be<br />

provided with a package <strong>of</strong><br />

services to help progress<br />

their ideas or research<br />

activities <strong>and</strong> enhance<br />

commercial potential.<br />

in<br />

brief<br />

E-health victory<br />

Ex-Ray, a novel e-technology<br />

screening tool utilising speech,<br />

text <strong>and</strong>, in the future, image,<br />

was recently awarded a prize in<br />

the e-health category <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Secrets <strong>of</strong> Australian IT<br />

Innovation Competition 2003.<br />

Ex-Ray, which monitors a<br />

wide range <strong>of</strong> psychiatric <strong>and</strong><br />

physical conditions, was developed<br />

by the School <strong>of</strong> Information<br />

Technology <strong>and</strong> Electrical<br />

Engineering’s Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Joachim<br />

Diederich <strong>and</strong> the Centre for<br />

Online Health’s Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peter<br />

Yellowlees.<br />

ICTE Summer courses<br />

UQ’s Institute <strong>of</strong> Continuing <strong>and</strong><br />

TESOL Education (ICTE) has<br />

announced its 2004 Summer<br />

courses program.<br />

Run from January 10–<br />

February 1, the courses attract a<br />

20 percent discount for UQ staff.<br />

Topics include society; natural<br />

environment; art therapy; photography;<br />

creative writing; poetry;<br />

mind <strong>and</strong> body; <strong>and</strong> personal<br />

<strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional development.<br />

Information: www.icte.uq.edu.au<br />

UQ Gatton weekend<br />

UQ Gatton graduates are invited<br />

to attend a Back to College<br />

Weekend on December 6-7.<br />

The Gatton College Past<br />

Students Association Inc is<br />

organising the event, with<br />

feature years including 1953,<br />

1963, 1973, 1978, 1983 <strong>and</strong> 1993.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 5460 1724<br />

From left: Mr Henderson,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Greenfield <strong>and</strong><br />

UniQuest Board <strong>of</strong> Directors<br />

Chair Norbury Rogers<br />

Sir Llew honoured<br />

UQ Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards<br />

has been awarded an honorary<br />

doctorate by the Queensl<strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Technology.<br />

Before becoming Chancellor<br />

in 1993, Sir Llew was Queensl<strong>and</strong>’s<br />

Deputy Premier from<br />

1977–1983 <strong>and</strong> Chief Executive<br />

<strong>Office</strong>r <strong>of</strong> World Expo 88.<br />

He holds a number <strong>of</strong> executive<br />

positions including Chair <strong>of</strong><br />

the Asia Pacific Economic Forum<br />

<strong>and</strong> Executive Consultant to<br />

Jones Lang LaSalle.<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003 11


UQFOUNDATION<br />

RESEARCH<br />

EXCELLENCE<br />

AWARDS03<br />

AWARD<br />

WINNERS<br />

The outst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

performance <strong>and</strong><br />

leadership potential <strong>of</strong><br />

seven <strong>University</strong> earlycareer<br />

researchers has<br />

been recognised through<br />

UQ Foundation Research<br />

Excellence Awards<br />

totalling almost $500,000.<br />

The winners <strong>of</strong> the highly<br />

sought after awards were<br />

honoured during a<br />

celebration at the UQ<br />

Centre on September 25,<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the highlights <strong>of</strong><br />

UQ Research Week.<br />

RUMOURS CAN<br />

CAUSE RUIN<br />

The spreading <strong>of</strong> rumours<br />

during periods <strong>of</strong> organisational<br />

change can cause panic<br />

<strong>and</strong> have dire commercial<br />

consequences, according to a<br />

UQ researcher.<br />

Dr Prashant Bordia, a<br />

senior lecturer in UQ’s School<br />

<strong>of</strong> Psychology, has been<br />

awarded $55,000 for his studies<br />

into the collective impact <strong>of</strong><br />

rumours during corporate<br />

organisational change.<br />

“Rumours can damage<br />

reputations, erode trust <strong>and</strong><br />

create panic, <strong>and</strong> are especially<br />

rampant during organisational<br />

change,” Dr Bordia said.<br />

“They <strong>of</strong>ten pre-empt<br />

formal announcements by<br />

management, predicting the<br />

nature <strong>of</strong> the change such as<br />

mergers, or alleging dire<br />

consequences for employees<br />

like lay-<strong>of</strong>fs.”<br />

He said previous research<br />

had shown harmful corporate<br />

rumours were heard almost<br />

once a week <strong>and</strong> could cause<br />

businesses to lose consumer<br />

confidence, market share <strong>and</strong><br />

stock value.<br />

“They are more than just<br />

rumours, they are how we<br />

make sense <strong>of</strong> our world <strong>and</strong><br />

we act on them, have faith in<br />

them <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>ten live by them,”<br />

he said.<br />

“By gaining a greater<br />

underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the way we<br />

deal with rumours we can<br />

become better consumers <strong>of</strong><br />

information as individuals as<br />

well as finding better ways for<br />

organisations to deal with their<br />

impact.”<br />

MATH ADDS UP TO<br />

QUANTUM LEAP<br />

UQ theoretician Dr Jon Links is<br />

developing rigorous mathematical<br />

techniques to underpin<br />

quantum computers.<br />

He has been awarded<br />

$70,000 to develop the<br />

cutting-edge project.<br />

Dr Links, a research fellow<br />

with the School <strong>of</strong> Physical<br />

Sciences, is undertaking a<br />

detailed study into theoretical<br />

models <strong>of</strong> Bose-Einstein<br />

condensates, the coldest form<br />

<strong>of</strong> matter known to science.<br />

Dr Links said underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

the manner in which Bose-<br />

Einstein condensates interacted<br />

through a phenomenon known<br />

as quantum tunnelling would<br />

provide the insight to build a<br />

quantum computer.<br />

He said quantum tunnelling<br />

allowed a particle to pass<br />

through a seemingly impenetrable<br />

wall.<br />

“A quantum computer is a<br />

way <strong>of</strong> using the physics <strong>of</strong><br />

quantum mechanics to produce<br />

very fast processors,” he said.<br />

“Computers are based on<br />

a binary system <strong>of</strong> zeros <strong>and</strong><br />

ones.<br />

“In quantum mechanics<br />

you can have zero <strong>and</strong> one<br />

working at the same time.<br />

“The Bose-Einstein<br />

condensate plays a unique role<br />

in testing our underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong><br />

quantum physics.<br />

“Because a large number<br />

<strong>of</strong> particles occupy the same<br />

quantum state, the microscopic<br />

behaviour <strong>of</strong> the system<br />

is amplified to such an extent<br />

that it can be observed on the<br />

macroscopic level.”<br />

SULPHATE IN BODY<br />

TO BE STUDIED<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong>ing how sulphate<br />

works in the human body<br />

might lead to a cure for<br />

reduced fertility <strong>and</strong> treatments<br />

for disorders such as seizures,<br />

growth retardation <strong>and</strong><br />

gastrointestinal disturbances.<br />

UQ School <strong>of</strong> Biomedical<br />

Sciences senior lecturer<br />

Dr Daniel Markovich is<br />

conducting world-first research<br />

into the importance <strong>of</strong><br />

sulphate in the body, <strong>and</strong> how<br />

its levels are controlled.<br />

Dr Markovich has received<br />

a $65,000 award to progress<br />

his research into what is<br />

known as hyposulfateamia.<br />

While little is known about<br />

the mineral, Dr Markovich said<br />

low sulphate levels affect<br />

growth, <strong>and</strong> have also been<br />

linked to diseases such as<br />

Alzheimer’s <strong>and</strong> Parkinson’s.<br />

“The kidneys control the<br />

levels <strong>of</strong> many minerals in the<br />

body <strong>and</strong> we’ve isolated a<br />

gene, Nas1, which plays a key<br />

role in sulphate absorption<br />

from the diet <strong>and</strong> regulates its<br />

excretion,” he said.<br />

“Most sulphate in the body<br />

comes from food <strong>and</strong> if there is<br />

too much the excess is<br />

excreted.<br />

But when the Nas1 gene is<br />

missing, the body excretes<br />

large amounts <strong>of</strong> sulphate <strong>and</strong><br />

blood levels drop to five times<br />

lower than normal.”<br />

Using mice, Dr Markovich<br />

found that low blood sulphate<br />

levels led to reduced fertility,<br />

seizures in later life <strong>and</strong> an<br />

overall growth retardation <strong>of</strong><br />

25 percent.<br />

12 UQ NEWS, november 2003


MINING DATABASE<br />

INFORMATION<br />

A researcher at UQ’s Institute<br />

for Molecular Bioscience is<br />

opening new avenues <strong>of</strong><br />

scientific exploration by using<br />

“database mining” to dis<strong>cover</strong><br />

how cells work.<br />

Dr Rohan Teasdale is<br />

employing the technique to dig<br />

through the incredible wealth<br />

<strong>of</strong> information contained in the<br />

genomes <strong>of</strong> mice <strong>and</strong> humans,<br />

<strong>and</strong> will use his $75,000 award<br />

to continue this work.<br />

Dr Teasdale said combining<br />

“database mining” with<br />

traditional cell biology allowed<br />

a more intuitive approach to<br />

identifying information, <strong>and</strong><br />

gave a greater underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

<strong>of</strong> the role different cell<br />

membranes played in physiological<br />

processes.<br />

“Cell membranes <strong>and</strong> the<br />

proteins embedded in them are<br />

essential mediators <strong>of</strong> the<br />

transfer <strong>of</strong> material <strong>and</strong><br />

information between cells <strong>and</strong><br />

their environment, compartments<br />

within cells, <strong>and</strong><br />

between regions <strong>of</strong> organ<br />

systems,” Dr Teasdale said.<br />

Transporting newlysynthesised<br />

proteins to<br />

different cell membranes is a<br />

fundamental cellular process.<br />

Its disruption has been<br />

linked to high cholesterol <strong>and</strong><br />

diseases including cancer.<br />

“By combining ‘database<br />

mining’ with cell biology we<br />

will develop reliable computational<br />

prediction methods<br />

allowing us to identify<br />

membrane proteins in<br />

genomes <strong>and</strong> predict their<br />

location in the cell,” he said.<br />

BIOETHICAL PLACE<br />

IN HISTORY<br />

Historian Dr Sarah Ferber is<br />

redefining contemporary<br />

bioethics to include an<br />

historical dimension.<br />

She is planning a series <strong>of</strong><br />

articles <strong>and</strong> a book, funded by<br />

her $65,000 award.<br />

The book will include<br />

topics such as medicine <strong>and</strong><br />

social morality; human experimentation;<br />

women <strong>and</strong><br />

reproductive medicine; genetic<br />

research; <strong>and</strong> euthanasia.<br />

Dr Ferber’s project, one <strong>of</strong><br />

the first <strong>of</strong> its kind, aims to<br />

reshape scholarly inquiry,<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional medical training<br />

<strong>and</strong> public debate on bioethics.<br />

It will also, she hopes,<br />

boost public debate by encouraging<br />

people to bring nuanced<br />

views to emotive issues.<br />

“History is not just a body<br />

<strong>of</strong> dead facts,” Dr Ferber said.<br />

“Reflection <strong>and</strong> analysis<br />

increase underst<strong>and</strong>ing, help<br />

explain change, <strong>and</strong> inform the<br />

way we think about the world<br />

we’re making.<br />

“I want to create a new<br />

idea <strong>of</strong> what medical history<br />

<strong>and</strong> bioethics are, <strong>and</strong> provide<br />

a major intervention in three<br />

emerging disciplines: the social<br />

history <strong>of</strong> medicine; the medical<br />

humanities; <strong>and</strong> bioethics”.<br />

Dr Ferber, a lecturer in the<br />

School <strong>of</strong> History, Philosophy,<br />

Religion <strong>and</strong> Classics, said the<br />

historical context promoted<br />

underst<strong>and</strong>ing at the personal<br />

level, where medical <strong>and</strong> social<br />

values interacted.<br />

“It helps you make<br />

comparisons <strong>and</strong> exp<strong>and</strong> your<br />

choices,” she said.<br />

INSIGHT INTO<br />

BRAIN AND SIGHT<br />

A UQ researcher is trying to<br />

dis<strong>cover</strong> if the human brain<br />

uses multiple systems to<br />

produce a range <strong>of</strong> “opinions”<br />

when interpreting ambiguous<br />

information from the senses.<br />

Dr Guy Wallis <strong>of</strong> UQ’s School<br />

<strong>of</strong> Human Movement Studies is<br />

using non-invasive techniques to<br />

stimulate regions <strong>of</strong> the cortex in<br />

a project promising unprecedented<br />

insight into the brain.<br />

“If successful, the results<br />

will have broad impact in the<br />

field <strong>of</strong> human visual cognition<br />

<strong>and</strong> provide insight into the<br />

neural underpinnings <strong>of</strong><br />

consciousness,” Dr Wallis said.<br />

“The work could inspire the<br />

design <strong>of</strong> artificial vision systems<br />

<strong>and</strong> help us more fully underst<strong>and</strong>,<br />

simulate <strong>and</strong> improve the<br />

essential linkages between<br />

perception, cognition <strong>and</strong><br />

movement as they occur in a<br />

broad range <strong>of</strong> human skills.”<br />

Dr Wallis has been awarded<br />

$65,000 to work on his project,<br />

which incorporates studies <strong>of</strong><br />

the brain as it switches from left<br />

to right hemispheres.<br />

Evidence suggests all<br />

humans constantly switch back<br />

<strong>and</strong> forward between the two<br />

hemispheres.<br />

Fundamental to Dr Wallis’s<br />

work is UQ’s new Frameless<br />

Stereotactic Guidance system,<br />

which allows the seamless<br />

integration <strong>of</strong> three brainimaging<br />

tools to assess brain<br />

activity <strong>and</strong> connectivity.<br />

It is the only one in<br />

Australia <strong>and</strong> one <strong>of</strong> a few in<br />

the world to be used for such<br />

research.<br />

BROADENING<br />

INTERNET CONTENT<br />

The increasing role <strong>of</strong> broadb<strong>and</strong><br />

Internet technology in<br />

world economics <strong>and</strong> cultural<br />

innovation <strong>and</strong> preservation<br />

has made content development<br />

a lucrative research area.<br />

Dr Philip Graham from the<br />

UQ Business School is heading<br />

an international, interdisciplinary<br />

group researching broadb<strong>and</strong><br />

content development, <strong>and</strong><br />

has been awarded $70,000.<br />

“Broadb<strong>and</strong> is high-speed<br />

Internet access technology <strong>and</strong><br />

is delivered via Asymmetrical<br />

Digital Subscriber Lines, optical<br />

fibre cables or microwave <strong>and</strong><br />

satellite networks,” he said.<br />

Dr Graham is working with<br />

researchers from the <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Waterloo’s Canadian Centre<br />

for Cultural Innovation (CCCI)<br />

on a project closely associated<br />

with the Australian Creative<br />

Resources Archive (ACRA)<br />

based at UQ Ipswich.<br />

He said although<br />

broadb<strong>and</strong> could always be<br />

improved by increasing data<br />

transfer rates, the lack <strong>of</strong><br />

content was a major problem.<br />

“A good analogy would be<br />

the emergence <strong>of</strong> television,”<br />

he said.<br />

“None <strong>of</strong> the program<br />

formats that we are familiar<br />

with existed prior to television.<br />

“It took years for content<br />

developers to create the<br />

programs we watch.<br />

“It also took a long time<br />

for large-scale industries to<br />

emerge, copyright laws to be<br />

established, <strong>and</strong> for distribution<br />

<strong>and</strong> business production<br />

models to be sorted out.”<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003<br />

13


Fresh start for<br />

local waterways<br />

The 2003 Healthy Waterways<br />

Report Card shows the health <strong>of</strong><br />

Moreton Bay improved in the past year.<br />

The report card, representing a<br />

comprehensive estuarine, marine <strong>and</strong><br />

freshwater monitoring program, was<br />

jointly coordinated by UQ, Griffith<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Environmental<br />

Protection Agency (EPA).<br />

UQ Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paul Greenfield<br />

presented the report card to the<br />

Minister for the Environment Dean<br />

Wells at a ceremony attended by<br />

Brisbane Lord Mayor Tim Quinn at<br />

New Farm Park on October 23.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Greenfield, Chair <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Healthy Waterways Scientific Expert<br />

Panel, described the report card as<br />

cutting-edge.<br />

“It involves the collaboration <strong>of</strong><br />

State Government, all the councils,<br />

A new report card has given an<br />

improved grade to the health <strong>of</strong> some<br />

<strong>of</strong> south-east Queensl<strong>and</strong>’s waterways.<br />

research organisations <strong>and</strong> scientific<br />

organisations in this region to give us<br />

a statistically valid <strong>and</strong> very useful<br />

analysis,” he said.<br />

The report showed despite drought<br />

<strong>and</strong> continued population growth,<br />

there had been little change in the<br />

health <strong>of</strong> freshwater streams in the<br />

region.<br />

UQ lecturer in marine biology <strong>and</strong><br />

a project coordinator, Dr James Udy,<br />

said UQ provided the scientific<br />

support, conducted some <strong>of</strong> the<br />

fieldwork <strong>and</strong> collaborated with the<br />

EPA to provide coordination for the<br />

estuarine <strong>and</strong> marine components.<br />

“UQ was involved in the design<br />

<strong>and</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> the program<br />

in 1998 <strong>and</strong> has continued to play an<br />

important role since, though the<br />

majority <strong>of</strong> the field-work is currently<br />

conducted by the EPA,” Dr Udy said.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Greenfield <strong>and</strong> Cr Quinn<br />

with the report card.<br />

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14 UQ NEWS, november 2003


Clockwise from left: Dr Lee (PHOTO: WERKZPHOTOGRAPHY); Sir Llew congratulates AVM Hammer (PHOTO: LYLE RADFORD); Ms Chan (PHOTO: FUNG TSANG<br />

STUDIO); Dr Lindsay (PHOTO: courtesy Dr Lindsay).<br />

Awards for high-flying alumni<br />

UQ has <strong>of</strong>ficially<br />

recognised <strong>and</strong><br />

honoured the<br />

achievements <strong>of</strong><br />

four <strong>of</strong> its most<br />

successful alumni.<br />

Four high-achieving graduates<br />

were honoured with UQ alumni<br />

awards in September.<br />

Air Vice-Marshal Julie Hammer<br />

CSC was named UQ’s Alumnus <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year; marine scientist Dr Dhugal<br />

Lindsay the Young Alumnus <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year; Singapore Government Minister<br />

Dr Lee Boon Yang the International<br />

Alumnus <strong>of</strong> the Year <strong>and</strong> Gloria Chan<br />

received the inaugural Alumnus<br />

Community Service Award.<br />

The Alumnus <strong>of</strong> the Year award is<br />

presented annually by The Alumni<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Inc.<br />

The Young Alumnus <strong>of</strong> the Year<br />

award, recognising the achievements<br />

<strong>of</strong> a graduate aged under 35; the<br />

International Alumnus <strong>of</strong> the Year<br />

award; <strong>and</strong> the Alumnus Community<br />

Service Award are initiatives <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s Development <strong>Office</strong>.<br />

Ms Chan received her award in<br />

Hong Kong on September 22 <strong>and</strong> Dr<br />

Lee was presented with his award in<br />

Singapore on September 23 as part <strong>of</strong><br />

UQ’s annual international graduation<br />

ceremonies.<br />

The remaining awards were<br />

presented at the 2003 Courting the<br />

Greats luncheon hosted by Chancellor<br />

Sir Llew Edwards at Customs House<br />

on September 17.<br />

An electronics engineer in the Royal<br />

Australian Air Force (RAAF), AVM<br />

Hammer holds a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Science<br />

with honours in physics from UQ<br />

(1976).<br />

She also holds a Master <strong>of</strong> Science<br />

in aerosystems engineering <strong>and</strong> a<br />

Graduate Diploma in strategic studies.<br />

Joining the RAAF in 1977, she has<br />

served in aircraft maintenance;<br />

technical intelligence; electronic<br />

warfare <strong>and</strong> comm<strong>and</strong>; control,<br />

communications <strong>and</strong> intelligence<br />

systems acquisition; <strong>and</strong> support.<br />

Until her promotion to Air Vice-<br />

Marshal in August 2003, she was also<br />

Comm<strong>and</strong>ant <strong>of</strong> the Australian<br />

Defence Force Academy.<br />

“I consider this award to be enormously<br />

significant not only to me personally,<br />

but also as tangible recognition<br />

<strong>of</strong> achievement by women in nontraditional<br />

fields,” AVM Hammer said.<br />

“I hope this award might encourage<br />

young women to consider careers in<br />

engineering <strong>and</strong> the physical sciences,<br />

in the military, or even better, in both.”<br />

In 1985, AVM Hammer was the<br />

first female engineer promoted to<br />

Squadron Leader <strong>and</strong> in 1992, the first<br />

woman to comm<strong>and</strong> an operational unit<br />

in the RAAF, the Electronic Warfare<br />

Squadron, being awarded a Conspicuous<br />

Service Cross for that comm<strong>and</strong>.<br />

She was the first woman in the<br />

RAAF to become a member <strong>of</strong> the<br />

General List on promotion to Group<br />

Captain in 1996, <strong>and</strong> the first serving<br />

woman in the history <strong>of</strong> the ADF to be<br />

promoted to One Star level, on<br />

promotion to Air Commodore in 1999.<br />

Dr Lindsay works at the Japan<br />

Marine Science <strong>and</strong> Technology Centre<br />

– Japan’s premier oceanographic<br />

research station.<br />

He holds a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Science <strong>and</strong><br />

Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Arts (1992) from UQ <strong>and</strong><br />

received his PhD in aquatic biology<br />

from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Tokyo (1998).<br />

His work centres around developing<br />

state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art occupied submersibles<br />

<strong>and</strong> remotely-operated vehicles,<br />

allowing the study <strong>of</strong> deep sea animals.<br />

Dr Lindsay is also one <strong>of</strong> Japan’s<br />

most accomplished young haiku poets<br />

<strong>and</strong> was the first non-Japanese writer<br />

to win the prestigious annual<br />

Nakaniida Gr<strong>and</strong> Haiku Prize.<br />

Dr Lee, Singapore’s Minister for<br />

Information, <strong>Communications</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />

the Arts, graduated from UQ with a<br />

Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Science in<br />

1971.<br />

After working as a vet, Dr Lee became<br />

a Member <strong>of</strong> Parliament in 1984<br />

<strong>and</strong> has served as Minister <strong>of</strong> State for<br />

Trade <strong>and</strong> Industry <strong>and</strong> Senior Minister<br />

<strong>of</strong> State for National Development;<br />

Home Affairs; <strong>and</strong> Defence.<br />

Ms Chan completed a Bachelor <strong>of</strong><br />

Arts in psychology <strong>and</strong> a Postgraduate<br />

Diploma in social planning at UQ <strong>and</strong><br />

also has a Diploma in counselling.<br />

While a student she founded the<br />

radio station 4EB, which broadcast in<br />

English <strong>and</strong> Cantonese.<br />

She has served as a counsellor at<br />

UQ <strong>and</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Hong Kong<br />

<strong>and</strong> is Charter President <strong>of</strong> the Rotary<br />

Club <strong>of</strong> Queensway in Australia.<br />

Named International Woman <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year for Services to the Community by<br />

the American Biographical Institution<br />

in 1994, she has won numerous awards<br />

for voluntary service.<br />

A third UQ international graduation<br />

ceremony was held in Kuala<br />

Lumpur on September 25.<br />

Sir Llew, Vice-Chancellor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

John Hay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor<br />

(International <strong>and</strong> Development) Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Trevor Grigg <strong>and</strong> Secretary <strong>and</strong><br />

Registrar Douglas Porter <strong>of</strong>ficiated at<br />

all three events.<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003<br />

15


UQ in the<br />

NEWS<br />

SOME OF THE STORIES THAT<br />

PUT UQ STAFF IN THE MEDIA<br />

October 2003<br />

ENGINEERING<br />

The Australian, The Courier-Mail,<br />

Newscastle Herald <strong>and</strong> Central<br />

Coast Herald as well as various radio<br />

<strong>and</strong> television news programs<br />

reported the opening <strong>of</strong> UQ’s Boeing<br />

Systems Engineering Teaching Laboratory.<br />

FOOD SCIENCE<br />

Ockham’s Razor on ABC Radio<br />

National featured Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Ian Godwin from UQ’s School<br />

<strong>of</strong> L<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Food Sciences discussing<br />

Genetically-Modified (GM)<br />

food.<br />

HIGHER EDUCATION<br />

The Australian, The Courier-Mail<br />

<strong>and</strong> Campus Review reported UQ’s<br />

postive audit report by the Australian<br />

Universities Quality Agency.<br />

Time Australia ran a story on the $50<br />

million Australian Institute <strong>of</strong> Bioengineering<br />

<strong>and</strong> Nanotechnology to<br />

be built at UQ’s St Lucia campus.<br />

POLITICS<br />

The Courier-Mail published an<br />

analysis by Dr Renee Worringer<br />

from UQ’s School <strong>of</strong> History,<br />

Philosophy, Religion <strong>and</strong> Classics on<br />

the Middle Eastern conflict.<br />

POPULAR CULTURE<br />

Indigenous radio station 4KIG in<br />

Townsville featured Dr Toni<br />

Johnson-Woods from UQ Ipswich’s<br />

Contemporary Studies Program in<br />

What’s on the box, a weekly program<br />

analysing popular TV shows such as<br />

Temptation Isl<strong>and</strong>, Kath <strong>and</strong> Kim<br />

<strong>and</strong> Jamie’s Kitchen.<br />

Red light to blue feelings<br />

UQ researchers have<br />

developed a program<br />

aimed at preventing<br />

<strong>and</strong> reducing the<br />

development <strong>of</strong><br />

depression in young<br />

people.<br />

As part <strong>of</strong> a $5.2 million partnership<br />

with beyondblue: the<br />

national depression initiative, UQ<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Psychology reseachers have<br />

developed a school-based program<br />

equipping adolescents with skills to<br />

deal with life’s challenges.<br />

It was launched by Queensl<strong>and</strong><br />

Premier Peter Beattie at Mitchelton<br />

State High School on October 7.<br />

Also attending the launch was UQ<br />

Vice-Chancellor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Hay<br />

<strong>and</strong> beyondblue Chair <strong>and</strong> former<br />

Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, as<br />

well as representatives from the<br />

schools involved.<br />

“We want to provide knowledge<br />

<strong>and</strong> awareness through a school<br />

community approach that will help to<br />

build individual resilience <strong>and</strong> harness<br />

the good work that schools already do,”<br />

said chief investigator Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sue<br />

Spence.<br />

Called the beyondblue schools<br />

research initiative, the program will<br />

involve 50 schools nationally (18 in<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong>).<br />

It will use a multi-pronged<br />

approach including curriculum-based<br />

programs in the classroom; identifying<br />

pathways to care; community<br />

forums with key partners such as<br />

health services <strong>and</strong> community<br />

groups; <strong>and</strong> a whole-<strong>of</strong>-school approach<br />

to enhance a supportive environment.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Spence said the broad<br />

base <strong>of</strong> the research <strong>and</strong> the whole<strong>of</strong>-school<br />

<strong>and</strong> community approach<br />

was a unique strategy in attempting<br />

to address adolescent depression.<br />

“This type <strong>of</strong> work coming out <strong>of</strong><br />

UQ <strong>and</strong> Australia is leading the way<br />

in the prevention <strong>of</strong> depression,” she<br />

said.<br />

Mr Kennett speaking<br />

at the launch.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hay said the project was<br />

a practical example <strong>of</strong> UQ research<br />

in the community.<br />

“UQ recognises the value <strong>of</strong> such<br />

important research hence our willingness<br />

to be involved in partnerships<br />

such as the beyondblue initiative,” he<br />

said.<br />

“It is partnerships like this that<br />

strengthen the links between the<br />

<strong>University</strong>, local school communities,<br />

parents <strong>and</strong> students.”<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Spence said the threeyear<br />

project would follow Year 8<br />

adolescents through to Year 10.<br />

“We are looking at educating<br />

young people about mental health <strong>and</strong><br />

wellbeing to help try to break down<br />

the barriers that prevent them seeking<br />

help,” she said.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Spence said she <strong>and</strong><br />

State Coordinator, UQ’s Dr Jeanie<br />

Sheffield, in collaboration with<br />

researchers from across Australia,<br />

had spent the past year writing<br />

curriculum for the classroom component<br />

<strong>and</strong> building links with<br />

education systems, schools <strong>and</strong><br />

community groups.<br />

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16 UQ NEWS, november 2003


UQ Ipswich<br />

enters a<br />

new era<br />

More than 300<br />

people celebrated an<br />

important milestone<br />

at UQ Ipswich last<br />

month.<br />

Representatives <strong>of</strong> community,<br />

government <strong>and</strong> academe attended<br />

a formal ceremony followed by<br />

lunch on October 10 to mark completion<br />

<strong>of</strong> UQ Ipswich’s Phase One development<br />

– a three-stage, $51 million<br />

transformation <strong>of</strong> the former Challinor<br />

Centre site into one <strong>of</strong> Australia’s first<br />

totally Web-enabled campuses.<br />

Stage One construction began in<br />

1998 <strong>and</strong> finished in time to welcome<br />

the first 500 students in February 1999.<br />

Stage Two was completed in 2000<br />

– a $25 million rehabilitation <strong>of</strong> eight<br />

buildings in the central Heritage<br />

Precinct plus a new, twin-block general<br />

purpose building (Building 12).<br />

Building Eight <strong>and</strong> associated<br />

works (the $9.27 million Stage Three)<br />

was completed this year.<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Premier Peter Beattie;<br />

Ipswich City Acting Mayor Paul Pisasale;<br />

Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards;<br />

Vice-Chancellor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Hay;<br />

<strong>and</strong> Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International<br />

<strong>and</strong> Development) Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Trevor Grigg spoke at the ceremony.<br />

Mr Beattie also opened Building<br />

Eight, home to the Library; Student<br />

Centre; Information Technology Services;<br />

Student Support Services; Health<br />

Service; Equity <strong>Office</strong>; Aboriginal <strong>and</strong><br />

Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>er Unit; Student<br />

Union; Chaplaincy Service; <strong>and</strong> the<br />

Campus Manager’s <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />

Sir Llew said completion <strong>of</strong> Phase<br />

One had created more than the physical<br />

infrastructure <strong>of</strong> a university – it<br />

had also created a place <strong>of</strong> intellectual<br />

vigour with a remarkably strong community<br />

tradition <strong>and</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the best<br />

town-<strong>and</strong>-gown pr<strong>of</strong>iles he had seen.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hay emphasised the<br />

strong ties between campus <strong>and</strong> community<br />

<strong>and</strong> said: “...the <strong>University</strong>’s future<br />

is not only entwined with the future <strong>of</strong><br />

Ipswich City... it depends on it.”<br />

“This campus is shaping up well,<br />

<strong>and</strong> it’s fitting to celebrate a milestone<br />

like this in the company <strong>of</strong> those who<br />

helped shape <strong>and</strong> achieve the vision,”<br />

said Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Grigg, whose portfolio<br />

oversees the campus.<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003<br />

Outside Building Eight<br />

Above: the Library inside Building Eight, <strong>and</strong> below, from left: Sir Llew, Mr Beattie, UQ librarian Janine Schmidt, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hay <strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Grigg.<br />

17


in<br />

brief<br />

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED<br />

Childhood anxiety<br />

Children with anxiety problems are<br />

needed for a UQ School <strong>of</strong> Psychology<br />

study into the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> different<br />

modes <strong>of</strong> therapy delivery for anxious<br />

children.<br />

Participants must be 7–14 years old<br />

<strong>and</strong> have experienced problems such<br />

as being constantly worried or anxious;<br />

shyness; insecurity; or being afraid <strong>of</strong><br />

people or particular situations.<br />

The treatment involves either<br />

weekly, face-to-face therapy sessions<br />

for 12 weeks, or parents receiving<br />

training to conduct weekly sessions at<br />

home with pr<strong>of</strong>essional support.<br />

There is a $100 charge for<br />

participation, including all material.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3030 8361<br />

Problem gambling<br />

UQ psychologists are seeking<br />

volunteers for a therapy program<br />

designed to examine the benefits <strong>of</strong><br />

Cognitive Behavioural Treatments<br />

(CBT) for problem gamblers.<br />

The program provides participants<br />

with information, skills <strong>and</strong> strategies<br />

to help them underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> change<br />

dysfunctional gambling behaviours<br />

<strong>and</strong> deal with associated issues.<br />

Participation is free, can be<br />

withdrawn at any time <strong>and</strong> involves six<br />

sessions, once a week for six weeks,<br />

delivered by trained clinicians.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3346 9417<br />

Overweight children<br />

Around 150 Brisbane families are<br />

needed for a research project designed<br />

to reduce childhood obesity.<br />

The study will evaluate Lifestyle<br />

Triple P, a free, 12-week parenting<br />

program for overweight children aged<br />

from 5-10 years old.<br />

Lifestyle Triple P is based on the<br />

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program,<br />

with extra sessions focusing on<br />

nutrition <strong>and</strong> physical activity.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 62<strong>07</strong><br />

Stroke therapy<br />

People who have had a stroke affecting<br />

their arm are needed for a UQ study.<br />

The study will assess the effectiveness<br />

<strong>of</strong> a new form <strong>of</strong> therapy.<br />

Participants must live in Brisbane<br />

or the Gold Coast <strong>and</strong> have had a stroke<br />

causing them to only have a small<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> arm movement <strong>and</strong> an<br />

inability to reach.<br />

They will receive 12 therapy<br />

sessions in their home <strong>and</strong> will have<br />

to attend UQ St Lucia for three tests<br />

over four months.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 4567<br />

Ankle sprain<br />

People aged between 18 <strong>and</strong> 55 years<br />

with a current ankle sprain are being<br />

sought to participate in a physiotherapy<br />

treatment trial study.<br />

Project supervisor Dr Bill Vicenzino<br />

said UQ Musculoskeletal Pain<br />

<strong>and</strong> Injury Research Unit researchers<br />

had received encouraging results from<br />

preliminary studies <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> the<br />

treatments prescribed for ankle<br />

injuries.<br />

Participants have to attend UQ St<br />

Lucia for a two-hour session.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 4567<br />

Parental disability<br />

Young people whose parents have a<br />

disability or illness are being asked to<br />

take part in a survey to gather<br />

information to develop better services<br />

<strong>and</strong> intervention programs for them.<br />

UQ’s School <strong>of</strong> Psychology is<br />

conducting the project in collaboration<br />

with Griffith <strong>University</strong> <strong>and</strong> the<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Council <strong>of</strong> Carers.<br />

People aged between 10–25 years<br />

whose parent or parents has an illness<br />

such as cancer; an intellectual or<br />

physical disability; an alcohol or drug<br />

problem; or mental illness are needed.<br />

Information: 0413 733 578,<br />

okochi@psy.uq.edu.au<br />

Youth obesity<br />

Overweight <strong>and</strong> obese children aged<br />

between 5-11 are needed for a UQ<br />

study to identify syndrome indicators<br />

<strong>and</strong> establish whether increased physical<br />

activity is an effective treatment<br />

or prevention option.<br />

Volunteers will be tested to<br />

measure body composition; insulin<br />

sensitivity; dietary intake; <strong>and</strong> physical<br />

activity level before <strong>and</strong> after a 12-<br />

week exercise program.<br />

Tests <strong>and</strong> supervised physical<br />

activity sessions will be conducted<br />

after school weekly for 14 weeks.<br />

An exercise instructor will also<br />

conduct a weekly personal training<br />

session at each child’s home.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3636 5243<br />

Adoption aftermath<br />

A UQ project is seeking volunteers for<br />

a study comparing aspects <strong>of</strong><br />

individual <strong>and</strong> relationship wellbeing<br />

in adult adoptees <strong>and</strong> non-adoptees.<br />

The study focuses on people who<br />

have lived at home with two parents<br />

(adoptive or biological) for at least the<br />

first 16 years <strong>of</strong> their life.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 6257,<br />

keegan@psy.uq.edu.au<br />

18 UQ NEWS, november 2003


In the fast lane<br />

Two dynamic Queensl<strong>and</strong> business leaders<br />

have not allowed age or gender to be any<br />

barrier to their drive to succeed.<br />

Self-described as a “...woman who’s<br />

going places fast” Sarah Seckold<br />

has been recognised as one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />

outst<strong>and</strong>ing young business women in<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

Ms Seckold, who graduated with<br />

a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Business Communication<br />

in 20<strong>01</strong>, won the 2003 Telstra<br />

Young Business Woman <strong>of</strong> the Year<br />

Award on September 26.<br />

There was double success for UQ<br />

when the 2003 Telstra Business<br />

Woman <strong>of</strong> the Year Award went to UQ<br />

Business School graduate Lynne<br />

Saint, Chief Financial <strong>Office</strong>r for the<br />

Mining <strong>and</strong> Metals Global Business<br />

Unit <strong>of</strong> Bechtel Corporation.<br />

At only 22, Ms Seckold is director<br />

<strong>of</strong> The Direct Empire marketing <strong>and</strong><br />

talent agency based in West End.<br />

She has established relationships<br />

with some <strong>of</strong> the world’s most recognised<br />

br<strong>and</strong>s including Ford, Adidas<br />

<strong>and</strong> Coca-Cola.<br />

“My involvement in the Telstra<br />

Business Women’s Awards has attracted<br />

an overwhelming amount <strong>of</strong> attention<br />

<strong>and</strong> I’m amazed by the amount <strong>of</strong><br />

support I’ve received from business<br />

people throughout Australia,” she said.<br />

“It’s a truly inspirational experience<br />

<strong>and</strong> I’m honoured to be recognised by<br />

such a prestigious awards process.”<br />

Ms Seckold, who bought The<br />

Direct Empire when she was just 19,<br />

manages more than 400 staff.<br />

Ms Seckold completed the final<br />

semester <strong>of</strong> her degree full-time while<br />

managing the company.<br />

She said UQ had provided her with<br />

the essential time-management skills<br />

<strong>and</strong> discipline needed to run a<br />

successful business.<br />

“While there is a lot <strong>of</strong> trial <strong>and</strong><br />

error <strong>and</strong> experience is important, I<br />

feel my time at UQ was invaluable in<br />

assisting me to make the best possible<br />

decisions in times <strong>of</strong> organisational<br />

change <strong>and</strong> to operate effectively on a<br />

day-to-day basis,” she said.<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Business Woman <strong>of</strong><br />

the Year, Ms Saint, who graduated<br />

with a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Commerce in 1983<br />

<strong>and</strong> a Postgraduate Diploma in<br />

educational studies in 1999, is<br />

accountable for the financial <strong>and</strong><br />

commercial operations <strong>of</strong> the mining<br />

<strong>and</strong> metals sector at Bechtel – one <strong>of</strong><br />

the world’s largest engineering <strong>and</strong><br />

construction companies.<br />

Ms Saint said while her commerce<br />

degree was the backbone <strong>of</strong> her<br />

business career, her educational<br />

studies were the cornerstone.<br />

“What leaders do to coach <strong>and</strong><br />

mentor, facilitate learning <strong>and</strong> develop<br />

others, results in teams with greater<br />

skill sets <strong>and</strong> functionality,” she said.<br />

Ms Seckold<br />

Test speeds childhood virus results<br />

A UQ researcher has developed a cheaper,<br />

faster <strong>and</strong> more reliable test for two severe<br />

yet common childhood viral diseases.<br />

The real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction<br />

(PCR) test slashes diagnostic times from days<br />

to a matter <strong>of</strong> hours <strong>and</strong> promises to revolutionise<br />

worldwide laboratory procedures.<br />

Dr Ian Mackay, a senior researcher with UQ’s<br />

Clinical Medical Virology Centre (the Sir Albert<br />

Sakzewski Virus Research Centre) based at the<br />

Royal Children’s Hospital, developed the test in<br />

response to outbreaks <strong>of</strong> human enteroviruses<br />

(HEV) <strong>and</strong> human metapneumovirus (hMPV)<br />

infection in Melbourne <strong>and</strong> Perth in 1986 <strong>and</strong><br />

1999 respectively, <strong>and</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong> during 20<strong>01</strong>.<br />

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) can cause h<strong>and</strong>, foot<br />

<strong>and</strong> mouth disease, encephalitis, aseptic<br />

meningitis <strong>and</strong> paralysis in children.<br />

hMPV causes serious respiratory tract disease<br />

in children <strong>and</strong> adults <strong>and</strong> until Dr Mackay’s test, it<br />

was estimated 40 percent <strong>of</strong> cases went undetected.<br />

In 78 percent <strong>of</strong> cases during the 20<strong>01</strong> outbreak,<br />

children were admitted to hospital for<br />

between one <strong>and</strong> 14 days with 12 cases requiring<br />

oxygen therapy.<br />

Dr Mackay’s test allows the amplification <strong>of</strong><br />

tiny amounts <strong>of</strong> RNA up to a billion-fold to<br />

enable easy detection <strong>and</strong> subsequent molecular<br />

manipulation. It also provides a far cheaper<br />

alternative to traditional culture methods.<br />

He said while PCR had been available since<br />

the 1980s, real-time PCR was a more recent <strong>and</strong><br />

significant improvement to the technique.<br />

“Fluorescent emissions can be collected from<br />

a closed tube at any stage <strong>of</strong> the amplification<br />

process, which eliminates the risk <strong>of</strong> contamination<br />

to the laboratory environment,” he said.<br />

Dr Mackay said real-time PCR brought many<br />

benefits to the diagnostic laboratory such as<br />

increased speed, reducing assay times from days<br />

to hours; reliability or good reproducibility; <strong>and</strong><br />

specificity – the inclusion <strong>of</strong> an oligonucleotide<br />

probe to ensure the PCR product was as expected.<br />

He said the PCR also allowed technicians to<br />

check whether a microbe responded to antimicrobial<br />

drugs <strong>and</strong> provided the ability to rapidly<br />

diagnose new <strong>and</strong> emerging microbes such as<br />

hMPV by monitoring viral “load” (amount or<br />

level) from patient specimens from different age<br />

groups <strong>and</strong> disease states.<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003<br />

19


in<br />

brief<br />

Bali tribute song<br />

A song by UQ student b<strong>and</strong><br />

Xavier to raise money for<br />

victims <strong>of</strong> the Bali terrorist<br />

bombing was played as part<br />

<strong>of</strong> the October 12 memorial<br />

service in Bali.<br />

The b<strong>and</strong> attended the<br />

ceremony to hear their tribute<br />

song, entitled Loving It, Bali,<br />

played.<br />

The song was written by<br />

its Indonesian-born guitarist<br />

Rocky Rashid <strong>and</strong> features<br />

both Indonesian <strong>and</strong> English<br />

lyrics.<br />

All proceeds from the song<br />

will be donated to victims.<br />

Drummer Ellie Dunn said<br />

the b<strong>and</strong> was very grateful for<br />

the sponsorship which made<br />

the Bali trip possible.<br />

Together for about four<br />

months, the b<strong>and</strong>’s four<br />

members, including their<br />

manager, are all UQ students.<br />

Dean honoured<br />

UQ Faculty <strong>of</strong> Social <strong>and</strong><br />

Behavioural Sciences Executive<br />

Dean Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Linda Rosenman<br />

will lead the newly incorporated<br />

Australasian Council <strong>of</strong> Deans <strong>of</strong><br />

Arts, Social Sciences <strong>and</strong><br />

Humanities (DASSH) for 2003–4.<br />

DASSH aims to lead <strong>and</strong> promote<br />

the arts, social sciences <strong>and</strong><br />

humanities, nationally <strong>and</strong> internationally,<br />

with emphases on the<br />

importance <strong>of</strong> teaching, research<br />

<strong>and</strong> scholarship in the arts,<br />

social sciences <strong>and</strong> humanities.<br />

It will provide a key<br />

networking role allowing the<br />

sharing <strong>of</strong> information <strong>and</strong><br />

dissemination <strong>of</strong> best practice.<br />

It will also foster research,<br />

create alliances with related<br />

organisations both nationally<br />

<strong>and</strong> internationally <strong>and</strong> identify<br />

relevant issues for those<br />

involved in the arts, social<br />

sciences <strong>and</strong> humanities.<br />

Conference<br />

call<br />

To publicise your<br />

conference or seminar,<br />

email Joanne van Zeel<strong>and</strong><br />

at j.vanzeel<strong>and</strong>@uq.edu.au<br />

BENEVOLENCE<br />

Benefit,burden,trace:<br />

the legacies <strong>of</strong> benevolence:<br />

December 11–14, UQ<br />

Ipswich<br />

The interdisciplinary conference will<br />

be hosted by the Postcolonial<br />

Research Group from UQ’s School <strong>of</strong><br />

English, Media Studies <strong>and</strong> Art<br />

History.<br />

The conference will focus on<br />

benevolence <strong>and</strong> representations <strong>of</strong> it<br />

in a wide variety <strong>of</strong> forms.<br />

Topics will include anthropology<br />

<strong>and</strong> academic study; culture; ecology<br />

<strong>and</strong> environment; education <strong>and</strong><br />

training; governance <strong>and</strong> administration;<br />

history; literary representation;<br />

medicine <strong>and</strong> welfare;<br />

migration <strong>and</strong> resettlement; military<br />

<strong>and</strong> police activity; religion <strong>and</strong><br />

missionary activity; <strong>and</strong> trade <strong>and</strong><br />

commerce.<br />

Speakers include Associate<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Rajeswari Sunder Rajan<br />

(Oxford <strong>University</strong>, United Kingdom);<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Patrick Brantlinger<br />

(Indiana <strong>University</strong>, United States);<br />

<strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Frow (<strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Edinburgh, Scotl<strong>and</strong>).<br />

Information:<br />

www.emsah.uq.edu.au/<br />

conferences/benevolence-2003<br />

ECONOMICS<br />

One-day symposium<br />

on long-term issues<br />

in superannuation: November<br />

26, UQ St Lucia<br />

Organised by the School <strong>of</strong> Economics,<br />

topics will include long-term<br />

saving issues <strong>and</strong> superannuation;<br />

superannuation <strong>and</strong> the labour<br />

market; long-term modelling <strong>of</strong> the<br />

economy <strong>and</strong> superannuation <strong>and</strong><br />

optimum international asset allocation;<br />

<strong>and</strong> hedging strategies for<br />

superannuation funds.<br />

Speakers will include Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

John Foster <strong>and</strong> Dr Jon Stanford<br />

(UQ); Dr Michael Drew (Queensl<strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Technology); Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Ian McDonald <strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John<br />

Freebairn (<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Melbourne);<br />

<strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Johannes Juttner<br />

(Macquarie <strong>University</strong>).<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 6594,<br />

g.barr@economics.uq.edu.au<br />

HEALTH<br />

Introductory<br />

workshop in<br />

evidence-based practice:<br />

November 27–29: UQ St Lucia<br />

Organised by UQ’s Centre for<br />

Evidence-Based Practice in the<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Population Health, the<br />

three-day workshop is aimed at health<br />

care pr<strong>of</strong>essionals who want to<br />

develop or exp<strong>and</strong> their underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

<strong>and</strong> skills in evidence-based<br />

practice.<br />

The workshop will focus on<br />

developing core skills such as<br />

formulating answerable clinical<br />

questions; searching for up-to-date<br />

evidence; critically appraising evidence;<br />

<strong>and</strong> incorporating evidence<br />

into practice.<br />

Information: www.sph.uq.edu.au/<br />

ebp, d.schultz@sph.uq.edu.au<br />

COGITO<br />

ERGO<br />

SUM<br />

PHILOSOPHY<br />

Australasian Society<br />

for Continental<br />

Philosophy conference:<br />

November 20–22: UQ St Lucia<br />

The annual international conference<br />

is designed to provide a forum for<br />

local <strong>and</strong> overseas students <strong>and</strong><br />

academics working in the field <strong>of</strong><br />

continental philosophy.<br />

Themes will include imagination,<br />

engagement; violence; freedom; <strong>and</strong><br />

evil.<br />

Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Max Deutscher<br />

(Macquarie <strong>University</strong>); Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Moira Gatens (<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Sydney);<br />

<strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paul Patton (<strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> New South Wales) will be plenary<br />

speakers.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Deutsher’s latest book,<br />

Genre <strong>and</strong> void: looking back at<br />

Sartre <strong>and</strong> Beauvoir (Ashgate) will<br />

also be launched during the conference.<br />

Information: www.ascp.org.au,<br />

a.armstrong@uq. edu.au<br />

PSYCHOLOGY<br />

Second annual<br />

conference for<br />

personality <strong>and</strong> individual difference<br />

researchers: December 5:<br />

UQ St Lucia<br />

Hosted by UQ’s School <strong>of</strong> Psychology,<br />

the conference is modelled<br />

on the International Society for the<br />

Study <strong>of</strong> Individual Differences<br />

(ISSID).<br />

It will focus on experimental <strong>and</strong><br />

correlation studies <strong>of</strong> personality;<br />

intelligence; aptitudes; attitudes;<br />

values; <strong>and</strong> psychophysiological<br />

processes.<br />

Information: chrisj@psy.uq.edu.au<br />

20 UQ NEWS, november 2003


UQP<br />

UQ PRESS<br />

RECENT RELEASES<br />

inPRINT<br />

A flat-out<br />

master <strong>of</strong><br />

fiction<br />

Nerida Newton:<br />

The Lambing Flat<br />

(UQ Press, $24)<br />

A recently released UQ Press<br />

novel tells an historical tale<br />

with a modern undercurrent<br />

where historical fiction<br />

parallels 21st Century fact.<br />

Published in October, Nerida<br />

Newton’s debut novel entitled The<br />

Lambing Flat follows two very<br />

different young people as they<br />

struggle for underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong><br />

survival.<br />

“In part, it tells a story <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

repeated in the history <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

– that <strong>of</strong> immigrants <strong>and</strong> the<br />

hardships they suffer based on racial<br />

prejudice,” Ms Newton said.<br />

Described as “confident” <strong>and</strong><br />

“powerful”, The Lambing Flat is the<br />

first fiction novel to specifically<br />

explore the Lambing Flat riots from<br />

a Chinese perspective.<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Janette Turner<br />

Hospital, who graduated<br />

from UQ with a Bachelor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Arts in 1966, was Ms<br />

awarded her first major<br />

Australian literary prize<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Turner Hospital last month.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Turner Hospital, who received an honorary<br />

doctorate from UQ in May, was awarded the $25,000<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Premier’s Literary Award for Best Fiction Book<br />

for her recent novel Due Preparations for the Plague<br />

published by Harper Collins.<br />

Her works include seven critically-acclaimed novels<br />

<strong>and</strong> four short story collections published in more than<br />

20 countries <strong>and</strong> 11 languages.<br />

Nine <strong>of</strong> her books have been published by UQ Press.<br />

She is currently Distinguished Writer in Residence <strong>and</strong><br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> English at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> South Carolina.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Wilks<br />

Ms Newton<br />

Set in the 1850s <strong>and</strong> 1860s,<br />

the book follows the lives <strong>of</strong> two<br />

main characters: the first, Lok,<br />

is a young Chinese man who<br />

comes to Australia as part <strong>of</strong> the<br />

gold rush; the second, Ella, is the<br />

daughter <strong>of</strong> a grazier living in the<br />

harsh <strong>and</strong> unexplored regions <strong>of</strong><br />

central Queensl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

Ms Newton, who completed<br />

a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Arts at UQ <strong>and</strong> is<br />

studying for a Master <strong>of</strong> Philosophy<br />

in creative writing, said<br />

the characters more or less wrote<br />

themselves.<br />

“The paths <strong>of</strong> the two characters<br />

cross <strong>and</strong> through their<br />

subsequent relationship, they<br />

explore what it means to belong<br />

– to a place, to another person,” she<br />

said.<br />

She said the story mirrored<br />

events in Australian society today.<br />

“There are a lot <strong>of</strong> parallels <strong>and</strong><br />

I don’t think we have come as far as<br />

we think we have,” she said.<br />

In 2002, the book won the<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Premier’s Literary<br />

Award for Best Emerging Author <strong>and</strong><br />

was nominated for The Australian/<br />

Vogel Literary Award – Australia’s<br />

two major prizes for unpublished<br />

manuscripts.<br />

Ms Newton said writing for her<br />

was a need not just a desire.<br />

“As soon as I could put words<br />

into sentences <strong>and</strong> sentences into<br />

stories I knew that was what I<br />

wanted to do,” she said.<br />

After taking a year <strong>of</strong>f to travel<br />

– what she describes as “...the great<br />

Australian rite <strong>of</strong> passage” – she<br />

turned to education for guidance,<br />

writing the book as part <strong>of</strong> her<br />

masters thesis.<br />

“The thesis gave me the motivation<br />

<strong>and</strong> direction to sit down <strong>and</strong><br />

write,” she said.<br />

She did not set out to write an<br />

historical novel.<br />

After returning from her travels<br />

around Europe, the Middle East <strong>and</strong><br />

Asia, she found herself unsettled <strong>and</strong><br />

unsure <strong>of</strong> her place in the world.<br />

It was then she became inspired<br />

to explore stories <strong>of</strong> other people who<br />

had not found their place in society.<br />

“The book is about displacement<br />

<strong>and</strong> finding a sense <strong>of</strong> belonging,”<br />

she said.<br />

“The stories <strong>of</strong> Chinese gold<br />

diggers at Lambing Flat struck me as<br />

not dissimilar from the displacement<br />

<strong>and</strong> difficulties still facing immigrants<br />

today.<br />

“It was simply too compelling a<br />

time <strong>and</strong> place to ignore so I decided<br />

to use this as my backdrop <strong>and</strong> the<br />

story unfolded around it.”<br />

Ms Newton said she was working<br />

on a new novel based on environmental<br />

shifts during the 1960s <strong>and</strong><br />

1970s.<br />

UQ success at literary awards<br />

There was further success for UQ when postgraduate<br />

student Kimberley Starr was selected as the Best<br />

Emerging Queensl<strong>and</strong> Author.<br />

Ms Starr, who is completing a Master <strong>of</strong> Philosophy<br />

in creative writing, submitted two manuscripts for the<br />

award <strong>and</strong> both were short-listed.<br />

The winning manuscript The Kingdom Where Nobody<br />

Dies will be published by UQ Press in September 2004.<br />

The other manuscript entitled Antiquities, a mystery<br />

thriller about a museum curator specialising in bizarre<br />

collections, was written for Ms Starr’s masters thesis.<br />

The thesis is being supervised by author <strong>and</strong> lecturer<br />

in creative writing Am<strong>and</strong>a Lohrey from UQ’s School<br />

<strong>of</strong> English, Media Studies <strong>and</strong> Art History.<br />

There was also success for UQ Press when Catherine<br />

Bateson won the Best Children’s Book award for Rain<br />

May <strong>and</strong> Captain Daniel.<br />

The book also won the Children’s Book Council<br />

Children’s Book <strong>of</strong> the Year Award for Younger Readers.<br />

Bronwyn Lea <strong>and</strong> Dr Martin<br />

Duwell (editors), The Best<br />

Australian Poetry ($22)<br />

This is the first in a series <strong>of</strong> anthologies<br />

to be produced annually by UQP to<br />

showcase contemporary Australian<br />

poetry.<br />

Each year, a guest editor will be<br />

invited to select poems <strong>and</strong> write an<br />

introduction with contributing poets<br />

including commentaries.<br />

The inaugural issue contains<br />

works by some <strong>of</strong> Australia’s most<br />

prominent poets including Clive<br />

James, Les Murray <strong>and</strong> Judith<br />

Beveridge.<br />

Dr Duwell was a poetry reviewer for<br />

The Australian <strong>and</strong> is a senior lecturer<br />

in Australian studies <strong>and</strong> poetics at UQ.<br />

Ms Lea is the author <strong>of</strong> Flight<br />

Animals (UQP), which won the Wesley<br />

Michel Wright Award <strong>and</strong> the FAW<br />

Anne Elder Award.<br />

She lectures in poetics at UQ <strong>and</strong><br />

is the poetry editor for UQP.<br />

Sue Abbey <strong>and</strong> S<strong>and</strong>ra Phillips<br />

(editors), Fresh cuttings: a<br />

celebration <strong>of</strong> fiction <strong>and</strong> poetry<br />

from UQP’s Black Australian<br />

Writing series ($25)<br />

This collection <strong>of</strong> fiction has been<br />

drawn from books in UQP’s prestigious<br />

Black Australian Writing list.<br />

Extracts from novels have been<br />

used as self-contained short stories <strong>and</strong><br />

are from novels such as Bitin’ Back<br />

(Vivienne Cleven); Caprice (Doris<br />

Pilkington Garimara); Unbr<strong>and</strong>ed<br />

(Herb Wharton); <strong>and</strong> Plains <strong>of</strong><br />

Promise (Alexis Wright).<br />

Between each extract is a selection<br />

<strong>of</strong> poems from such collections as<br />

Itinerant Blues (Samuel Wagan<br />

Watson); <strong>and</strong> Black Lives (Jack Davis).<br />

Sue Abbey is founding editor <strong>of</strong><br />

UQP’s Black Australian Writing series<br />

<strong>and</strong> S<strong>and</strong>ra Phillips is the managing<br />

editor <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal Studies Press.<br />

Alasdair Duncan, Sushi Central<br />

($22)<br />

Calvin is 16, gay <strong>and</strong> out <strong>of</strong> control.<br />

His narrative is delivered through<br />

a fragmented <strong>and</strong> fast-paced series <strong>of</strong><br />

emails, text messages <strong>and</strong> miniature<br />

film scripts along with more<br />

traditional descriptive passages as he<br />

deals with the pain <strong>and</strong> confusion <strong>of</strong><br />

first love <strong>and</strong> is drawn into a world more<br />

adult than he could have imagined.<br />

Sushi Central is a subversive<br />

black comedy about teenage angst<br />

pushed to its final, self-destructive<br />

extremes.<br />

Alasdair Duncan, one <strong>of</strong> Australia’s<br />

youngest published novelists, was<br />

shortlisted for the Queensl<strong>and</strong><br />

Premier’s Award for Best Emerging<br />

Manuscript by a Queensl<strong>and</strong> Author in<br />

2002.<br />

21


Aquaculture harvest<br />

A $200,000 facility refurbishment has put<br />

aquaculture back on the menu at UQ.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hoegh-Guldberg (left) <strong>and</strong> Dr Barnes<br />

Anew aquaculture research<br />

facility coordinated by UQ’s<br />

Centre for Marine Studies is expected<br />

to play a lead role alongside industry<br />

<strong>and</strong> government in advancing aquaculture<br />

research.<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong>’s growing aquaculture<br />

industry contributes more than $73<br />

million per year to the State’s economy,<br />

according to Centre for Marine Studies<br />

Director Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ove Hoegh-<br />

Guldberg.<br />

“Aquaculture in Australia is<br />

exp<strong>and</strong>ing at a rate <strong>of</strong> about 14<br />

percent per annum, <strong>and</strong> is forecast by<br />

the industry to reach a value <strong>of</strong> $2.5<br />

billion by 2<strong>01</strong>0,” he said.<br />

More than 60 species are being<br />

farmed in Australia including pearl<br />

oysters, oysters, mussels, barramundi,<br />

prawns, crayfish <strong>and</strong> algae.<br />

The health benefits <strong>of</strong> farmed fish<br />

are its greatest attraction with many<br />

native fish species high in Omega-3.<br />

The newly-refurbished Pinjarra<br />

Aquatic Research Station will give<br />

UQ students access to industryrelevant<br />

facilities.<br />

UQ provides aquaculture pro-<br />

grams from undergraduate through to<br />

postdoctoral level.<br />

“UQ’s aquaculture program holds<br />

great promise for the State,” Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Hoegh-Guldberg said.<br />

“Thanks to Complas Industries<br />

Pty Ltd <strong>and</strong> RAD Aqua Pty Ltd, the<br />

Pinjarra Hills facility <strong>of</strong>fers cuttingedge<br />

filtration systems <strong>and</strong> state-<strong>of</strong>the-art<br />

infrastructure for aquaculture<br />

research.”<br />

The refurbished station features<br />

laboratory space; seminar room; a<br />

new, indoor, state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art, re-circulating<br />

aquaculture system; <strong>and</strong> nine<br />

ponds stocking a wide range <strong>of</strong> fish<br />

<strong>and</strong> crustaceans including redclaw<br />

crayfish <strong>and</strong> silver perch.<br />

The $200,000 upgrade was funded<br />

in collaboration with the two industry<br />

partners <strong>and</strong> with the help <strong>of</strong> a UQ<br />

Research Infrastructure Grant.<br />

The reopening <strong>of</strong> the facility coincided<br />

with the arrival <strong>of</strong> a new<br />

aquaculture academic to UQ, Dr<br />

Andrew Barnes from Scotl<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong><br />

the launch <strong>of</strong> an edited collection on<br />

aquaculture research by Adjunct<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Lucas.<br />

Dr Barnes will focus on disease<br />

solutions for prawns <strong>and</strong> finfish with<br />

his most recent experience being in<br />

the biotechnology industry developing<br />

vaccines for aquaculture.<br />

First for nursing<br />

UQ will celebrate excellence in teaching during UQ Teaching <strong>and</strong><br />

Learning Week 2003. Major features <strong>of</strong> the week are:<br />

Wednesday, November 12<br />

11am-3pm<br />

Teaching Excellence Showcase<br />

(free public event)<br />

Presentations on curriculum design<br />

developments involving animal<br />

physiotherapy as well as the Learning<br />

Enhancement Project (Faculty <strong>of</strong><br />

Natural Resources, Agriculture <strong>and</strong><br />

Veterinary Science).<br />

Location: UQ Gatton<br />

RSVP: c.steel@uq.edu.au<br />

Thursday, November 13<br />

5.30-7pm<br />

Teaching <strong>and</strong> Learning Excellence<br />

Showcase 2003 (free public event)<br />

Presentations on a project-centred<br />

approach to the teaching <strong>of</strong> chemical<br />

<strong>and</strong> environmental engineering as well<br />

www.uq.edu.au/.teaching_learning<br />

as the latest teaching strategies for<br />

first-year biological sciences.<br />

Location: Queensl<strong>and</strong> Bioscience<br />

Precinct auditorium<br />

RSVP: e.kerr@uq.edu.au<br />

Friday, November 14<br />

9.30-11am<br />

Postgraduate Flexible Learning<br />

Funding Scheme workshop<br />

The aim <strong>of</strong> the workshop is to provide<br />

advice on flexible learning directions <strong>and</strong><br />

the process <strong>of</strong> developing programs in<br />

flexible learning to potential applicants<br />

for the funds; <strong>and</strong> to highlight past <strong>and</strong><br />

current projects, with the presentation <strong>of</strong><br />

some project outcomes.<br />

Location: TEDI Seminar Room<br />

RSVP: tedi@uq.edu.au, <strong>07</strong> 3365 2666<br />

An accelerated nursing<br />

degree will be launched by<br />

UQ next year to help address<br />

a nationwide nursing<br />

shortage.<br />

Offered through UQ’s Faculty<br />

<strong>of</strong> Health Sciences, the program<br />

will give graduates the option <strong>of</strong><br />

entering the workforce after two<strong>and</strong>-a-half<br />

years education – six<br />

months earlier than most other<br />

undergraduate courses.<br />

They will also gain more<br />

practical experience by working in<br />

hospitals for most <strong>of</strong> the program.<br />

Faculty <strong>of</strong> Health Sciences<br />

Executive Dean Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peter<br />

Brooks said the clinical component<br />

<strong>of</strong> the program would benefit<br />

the nursing pr<strong>of</strong>ession.<br />

“In a first for Queensl<strong>and</strong>,<br />

students in the new program will<br />

receive the majority <strong>of</strong> their teaching<br />

in hospitals where they will<br />

be educated by practising pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />

<strong>and</strong> gain the knowledge <strong>and</strong><br />

skills necessary to work effectively<br />

in a healthcare environment,”<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Brooks said.<br />

To complement the clinical<br />

approach, students will also attend<br />

lectures at UQ Ipswich to take<br />

advantage <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

highly experienced teachers <strong>and</strong><br />

extensive resources.<br />

“An accelerated studies program<br />

option, involving attendance<br />

at a Summer school, will enable<br />

students to graduate mid-year<br />

when there is strong dem<strong>and</strong> for<br />

graduate nurses,” Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Brooks said.<br />

Students will be taught through<br />

the Faculty’s Clinical Divisions,<br />

which already manage the clinical<br />

education <strong>of</strong> doctors.<br />

They will benefit from the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s close partnerships<br />

with teaching hospitals <strong>and</strong><br />

healthcare pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.<br />

“Changes in healthcare mean<br />

practitioners now routinely work<br />

closely with a range <strong>of</strong> healthcare<br />

providers,” Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Brooks said.<br />

Through the program, students<br />

will learn how to apply theoretical<br />

<strong>and</strong> clinical knowledge using<br />

case-based examples as well as<br />

specialist areas.<br />

22 UQ NEWS, november 2003


on CAMPUS<br />

Concerts, special lectures,<br />

seminars <strong>and</strong> UQ events <strong>of</strong><br />

general interest are published in<br />

this section. Entries, including<br />

date, time, contact name <strong>and</strong><br />

telephone number, should be sent<br />

to j.vanzeel<strong>and</strong>@uq.edu.au<br />

S<br />

SEMINARS<br />

■ Wednesday, November 5<br />

Australasian Centre on<br />

Ageing, Issues for older<br />

migrants: examples from the<br />

Chinese community, Associate<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor David Ip (7.30am, Royal on<br />

the Park, CBD). Details: <strong>07</strong> 3346 9084<br />

■ Wednesday, November 5<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Molecular <strong>and</strong> Microbial<br />

Sciences, The evasive plasmodium, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Michael Good, Queensl<strong>and</strong> Institute<br />

<strong>of</strong> Medical Research (4.30pm, auditorium,<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Bioscience Precinct).<br />

■ Thursday, November 6<br />

Centre for Critical <strong>and</strong> Cultural<br />

Studies, Last night a DJ changed my<br />

life: on certain modes <strong>of</strong> strategic<br />

intervention, Paul Magee (2pm, Room<br />

402, Forgan Smith Tower).<br />

■ Friday, November 7<br />

Institute for Molecular Bioscience,<br />

Essentially yours: the protection <strong>of</strong> human<br />

genetic information in Australia,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor David Weisbrot, Australian<br />

Law Reform Commission (noon, auditorium,<br />

Queensl<strong>and</strong> Bioscience Precinct).<br />

School <strong>of</strong> History, Philosophy,<br />

Religion <strong>and</strong> Classics, tba, Martin<br />

Wilkinson, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Auckl<strong>and</strong><br />

(3pm, Room 348, Forgan Smith Bldg).<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Biomedical Sciences,<br />

Receptor spectral sensitivity functions<br />

<strong>and</strong> the evolution <strong>of</strong> colour vision, Dr<br />

Misha Vorobiew (1pm, Room 305,<br />

Skerman Bldg).<br />

■ Friday, November 14<br />

Institute for Molecular Bioscience,<br />

Using free radicals to fight cancer: why<br />

pacman should be chiral <strong>and</strong> other<br />

short stories, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mick Sherburn,<br />

Australian National <strong>University</strong> (noon,<br />

auditorium, Queensl<strong>and</strong> Bioscience<br />

Precinct).<br />

■ Thursday, December 20<br />

Fred <strong>and</strong> Eleanor Schonell Special<br />

Education Research Centre, Thinking<br />

in, around, <strong>and</strong> about the curriculum:<br />

the role <strong>of</strong> cognitive education, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Carl Haywood, V<strong>and</strong>erbilt <strong>University</strong>,<br />

US (7.30pm, Room 206, Steele Bldg).<br />

■ Wednesday, December 3<br />

School <strong>of</strong> History, Philosophy,<br />

Religion <strong>and</strong> Classics <strong>and</strong> The<br />

Friends <strong>of</strong> Antiquity, The Hittites:<br />

making the film, Tolga Ornek (8pm,<br />

Abel Smith Lecture Theatre).<br />

■ Thursday, December 4<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Biomedical Sciences,<br />

Engineering <strong>of</strong> plants expressing P450<br />

<strong>and</strong> AhR genes for remediation <strong>and</strong><br />

monitoring <strong>of</strong> environmental<br />

contaminants, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hideo<br />

Ohkawa, Kobe <strong>University</strong>, Japan<br />

(noon, Room 305, Skerman Bldg).<br />

■ Wednesday, December 10<br />

Australasian Centre on Ageing, Ageing<br />

in place: challenges for housing <strong>and</strong> design,<br />

Dr John Minnery, Queensl<strong>and</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Technology (7.30am, Royal<br />

on the Park). Details: <strong>07</strong> 3346 9084<br />

CONCERTS<br />

C ■ Thursday, October 30<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Music, Trio a due,<br />

Felicitas Weyer <strong>and</strong> Almut<br />

Seebeck (vocal) (12.30pm,<br />

Nickson Room, Zelman Cowen Bldg).<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Music, Choral concert: the<br />

<strong>University</strong> sings!, <strong>University</strong> Chorale<br />

<strong>and</strong> Concentus (7.30pm, Long Room,<br />

Customs House, 399 Queen St).<br />

■ Wednesday, November 5<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Music, Twilight concert,<br />

Gwyn Roberts (cello), Jenni Flemming<br />

(piano) (6pm, Long Room, Customs<br />

House). Details: <strong>07</strong> 3365 8999<br />

■ Thursday, November 6<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Music, Recital, Tuuli<br />

Rantanen (viola) (12.30pm, Nickson<br />

Room, Zelman Cowen Bldg).<br />

■ Sunday, November 30<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Music, Sundays at Customs<br />

House, Andrew Maddick (violin)<br />

(11.30am, Long Room, Customs House).<br />

WORKSHOPS<br />

W ■ Thursday, November 6<br />

UQ Business School, Br<strong>and</strong><br />

development, Mark Vincent<br />

(9am–5pm, Customs House).<br />

Details: www.bel.uq.edu.au/eed<br />

■ Monday, November 24–Thursday,<br />

November 27<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Law, Offshore energy law, Dr<br />

Michael White (8.45am–5pm, UQ St<br />

Lucia). Details: www.bel.uq.edu.au/eed<br />

■ Monday, November 24–Friday,<br />

November 28<br />

UQ Business School/Mt Eliza Business<br />

School, Maximising your knowledge<br />

assets, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Colin Ferguson.<br />

Details: www.bel.uq.edu.au/eed<br />

■ Saturday, November 29–Sunday,<br />

November 30<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Medicine, Education course<br />

in sexual health for GPs (Sunshine<br />

Coast). Details: <strong>07</strong> 3346 4813<br />

■ Monday, December 1–Friday,<br />

December 5<br />

UQ Business School/Mt Eliza Business<br />

School, Making critical financial decisions,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Steve Gray <strong>and</strong> Richard<br />

Parker. Details: www.bel.uq.edu.au/eed<br />

PRIZES<br />

■ Percy Brier Memorial Prize for<br />

Music 2003: for an original composition<br />

by a UQ student <strong>of</strong> not less<br />

than 10 minutes’ duration. Worth:<br />

$1255. Closing: November 7.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 4949.<br />

■ Ford Memorial Prize 2003: for<br />

undergraduates who submit the<br />

best poem in English. Worth:<br />

$195 (books). Closing: November<br />

21. Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 1984.<br />

■ Thomas Morrow Prize 2003: for<br />

an undergraduate who, as part <strong>of</strong> a<br />

course, writes the best essay on a<br />

topic in the field <strong>of</strong> Australian<br />

exploration <strong>and</strong> history. Worth:<br />

$360. Closing: November 22.<br />

Information: <strong>07</strong> 3365 1984.<br />

CLASSIFIEDS<br />

TO RENT/HOUSE SIT<br />

■ St Lucia: 2bd + study unit, spac,<br />

f/furn, $350/wk from Jan 1.<br />

Graham: ghn@maths.uq.edu.au<br />

■ St Lucia: 3bd, 2bth hse, $400/<br />

wk. Tina: <strong>07</strong> 3365 3419<br />

■ Mt Crosby: 3bd hse, f/furn,<br />

Dec–Jan, rent negotiable for<br />

house <strong>and</strong> pet care. Joan:<br />

j.whittier@uq.edu.au<br />

■ Coorparoo: 3bd hse, Dec 4–Jan<br />

12, near transport, use <strong>of</strong> car<br />

neg, must care for small dog<br />

<strong>and</strong> guinea pig. Monia:<br />

m.moran@uq.edu.au<br />

■ Highgate Hill: 3 bd hse, p/furn,<br />

new kitchen/bthrm, near Ferry,<br />

$330/wk. Mary: <strong>07</strong> 3844 7978<br />

WANTED TO RENT/<br />

HOUSE SIT<br />

■ Visiting academic needs hse<br />

near St Lucia from Jan–Jun/Jul.<br />

Pam: propsom@depauw.edu<br />

■ Visiting academic needs f/furn<br />

hse, Jan–Mar. Alan:<br />

burns@cs.york.ac.uk<br />

■ Mature, reliable house <strong>and</strong> pet<br />

sitter, prefer 4 wks+, references.<br />

Marion:<br />

m.greenfield@library.uq.edu.au<br />

HOUSE EXCHANGE<br />

■ Vancouver Is hse, Canada, Feb–<br />

Mar. Details: ID=32678,<br />

www.homeexchange.com<br />

FOR SALE<br />

■ Motorbike: 1990 Honda revere,<br />

650cc v twin street bike, red,<br />

53,000kms, rego 12/03, VGC,<br />

$3950, 04<strong>01</strong> 704 150.<br />

UQ Library hours for 2003<br />

Hours, including amended times during the examination<br />

period <strong>and</strong> inter-semester break, are available on the<br />

Library’s homepage at www.cybrary.uq.edu.au<br />

UQ NEWS COPY DEADLINES FOR 2003<br />

Issue number Copy deadline Publication date<br />

531 Friday, November 21 Tuesday, December 9<br />

ADVERTISEMENT<br />

UQ NEWS, november 2003 23

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