CQUniversity Annual Report - Central Queensland University

CQUniversity ANNUAL REPORT 201231FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTUREResearch at the University has gone from strength to strength in 2012,particularly on the back of signifi cant investment in the purchase offacilities, development of systems and implementation of infrastructureacross the campus portfolio. Besides the continued support forresearch activities within existing operations, the University hasinvested heavily in new, dedicated research facilities in support of theexcellent work undertaken by our world-class research teams.ACCESS GRIDOur leading-edge video collaboration facilities (i.e. access grids)at Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Mackay were upgraded during2012 to provide high-defi nition video and audio capability.Access grids provide visualisation of multiple data sets in realtime, enabling researchers to collaborate with researchersaround the world.REVIEW OF OUR ACTIVITIESTABLE 5: BUILDINGS INFRASTRUCTURE HIGHLIGHTS FORRESEARCH IN 2012 HAVE INCLUDED:Campus Description Cost/BudgetRockhampton Central Queensland Innovation andResearch Precinct (Stage 1 – occupationand fi tout post facility purchase)$1.1mAdelaideAppleton Institute – Sleep ResearchCentre fi tout$2.0mBiodiesel researchers Associate Professor Nanjappa Ashwath andSubhash Hathurusingha inspect a beauty leaf tree as a likely newfuel source.During 2012, the University successfully submitted ERA and HigherEducation Research Data Collection (HERDC) reporting. Much of thiswork was due to the consultation between Offi ce of Research, LibraryDirectorate and Information Technology Directorate. The ability to worktogether to ensure the required information was provided in a timelymanner whilst giving the Offi ce of Research the opportunity to correctand qualify data to guarantee reporting was correctly recorded andgiving positive outcomes in terms of research output for the University.Key systems supporting the signifi cant research portfolio include:eRESEARCHeResearch support for existing and new researchers has beenbolstered through the University’s alliance with the Australian AccessFederation and Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation (QCIF)which has improved access for researchers to national facilities suchas QCloud research services including data storage, specialist webbasedvideo collaboration tools, and access grid visualisation services.HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING (HPC)In 2012, CQUniversity was successful in gaining funding from theQueensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation (QCIF) to upgrade the HighPerformance Computing (HPC) facility. The new HPC facility which wascommissioned in November 2012 provides a signifi cant increase (14 xprevious capacity) to allow researchers to undertake more advancedanalysis and visualisation of data. The HPC facility has enabledCQUniversity researchers to signifi cantly improve research results inareas such as analysing genomic data, hydrological statistical analysis,time delay control system problems, and medical image reconstruction.Dr Vicky Vicente-Beckett displays the trophyon offer for schools competing in the regionaltitration competition.