CQUniversity Annual Report - Central Queensland University

CQUniversity ANNUAL REPORT 2012A number of CQUniversity’s achievements in the engagement arena werehighlighted at the 2012 annual Engagement Australia Conference held inBrisbane. Two Conservatorium of Music students were selected to attendthe conference to showcase the successful applied theatre program‘Choices’. In addition, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement)presented a paper on ‘Engaging with communities: an empowermentapproach to university–community engagement’ and facilitated a workshopon ‘Leading a University's Engagement Strategy’. The University’srepresentation within this organisation will be strengthened following the2012 appointment of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement)as Chair of the Engagement Australia Board. At the forefront of promotingand facilitating discussion and development of university–communityengagement across Australia and Asia Pacific, strong representation on thisBoard will enhance CQUniversity’s ability to interact with other engagementmindeduniversities, organisations and individuals worldwide.Fundraising activity at the University entered a new phase in 2012 with BHPBilliton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) establishing a significant partnershipwith the University to name the BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement anda suite of scholarships in support of Central Queensland students wishingto pursue non-mining related careers. The B. Macfie Family Foundationrenewed its significant support for research into environment related issuesand the John Villiers Trust ambulance was purchased as a teaching andlearning resource primarily aimed at Paramedic Science students. TheUniversity continued to receive support for undergraduate scholarshipsand academic prizes from a range of continuing and new industry partnersand generous individuals. The funding support of corporations, trusts andindividuals is deeply appreciated by the University and is a very significantsource of encouragement and practical support for students.Throughout 2012, the Industry, Vocational Training and Access EducationDivision has also been working with the University’s Deans, vocationaleducation providers and industry partners to develop new pathwaysbetween vocational and academic learning. We have established 871articulations and 23 dual offers with over 80 Australian and internationalorganisations. Twenty-five additional dual offers have been submitted toQTAC and are currently being progressed.In response to a need in Central Queensland’s resources industry,QCPD initiated the launch of a postgraduate qualifi cation in ProjectManagement. QCPD is proud to report that 27 industry employees fromthe inaugural cohort will graduate from the program in 2012. QCPD’snewly established tendering service in collaboration with IRIS wonbusiness with Horticulture Australia Ltd for the delivery of training tohorticulture retailers.QCPD is currently working with CQUniversity’s own registered trainingorganisation (RTO) Health Train to facilitate an articulated pathway intothe CQUniversity graduate programs via the Certifi cate IV and Diplomain Project Management. Throughout 2012, QCPD has been workingwith industry and across the University to develop commercial onlineshort courses for professional development, which will be availablefrom 2013.CULTURAL LINKAGESWith engagement as a core premise of the University, culturallinkages are a key attribute of its operations. This is displayed inlearning and teaching activities, as earlier described, but also insporting and community events. CQUniversity hosts a range ofsuch activities each year, some of the more ‘renowned’ beingthe Mini Olympics and Chancellor’s Cup, as well as regularformal and informal on-campus activities, which are favouriteswith international students and provide opportunities forlinkages to occur.Within the community, a great example of cross-culturalengagement is the work undertaken by CQUniversity’s Sydneycampus students and staff with The Exodus Foundation, acharitable organisation that assists homeless and abandonedyouth, and other people in need. This is part of an ongoingcommitment, whereby the campus sends a team of volunteersonce a month to the ‘Loaves and Fishes Free Restaurant’ inAshfi eld, which serves food to the homeless. This also has thebenefi t of allowing international students to experience a way oflife they have not been exposed to while in Australia.Within Central Queensland, the English Language Centre (based onthe CQUniversity Rockhampton campus) provides a great vehicle forconnections to partner institutions in other countries. It provides astrong platform for CQUniversity to link various communities withinthe local region, through a common desire to improve their Englishskills and play a greater role in our wonderfully diverse community.During 2012, around 170 students and about 20 accompanying staff havevisited Rockhampton to participate in tailored English Language Centrestudy tours, from institutions in Korea, China, Japan and Thailand. Inaddition, the Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gladstone schools who teachJapanese and Korean welcome these students into their classrooms toenrich the learning experiences of the Australian students.The engagement goes to the heart of our Central Queenslandcommunity, with all the students being accommodated in Homestay,with families who have committed to this service for many years. Thestudents undertake English language classes, but also participatein a range of cultural and tourist activities such as visits to islands,farms, cultural centres and wildlife parks. Many lasting friendships aredeveloped, and many students return to Rockhampton for further study,or as tourists.33REVIEW OF OUR ACTIVITIES