Executive Dean’s Message - August 2024
Dear colleagues,
During August, I have had the pleasure of meeting with lots of our students, through the ‘Conversations with the Dean’ events at St Lucia and Gatton, the ‘Science Leaders Academy’ annual awards event and the Bachelor of Science review process. Such a privilege to hear their perspectives, to try and address their concerns and to celebrate their successes. Thank you, Aimee Clarke and Edelia Sanchez from our Student Experience Team, for enabling three of these events last week.
As you are probably aware, the Bachelor of Science is being reviewed this week. An esteemed panel, including leaders from the Australian National University, the University of Sydney and the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, have reviewed our submission and consulted with students, staff and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement. I am looking forward to hearing the outcomes from the panel’s deliberations 2pm Thursday and hope to see you there (see invite in your inbox or here). Many thanks to Karyn Johnson, Louise Kuchel, Lydia Kavanagh, Gurion Ang, Robin Allsopp and Chantel Veldhoen for creating our excellent consultation-informed and data-rich submission, and for contributing to many conversations about the UQ BSc over the past few months and especially this week.
News
The big higher education news this week has been the announcement from the Minister of Education, the Honourable Jason Clare MP, the Minister for Home Affairs et al, the Honourable Tony Burke MP and the Acting Minister for Skills and Training, Senator the Honourable Murray Watt, that, subject to the passage of legislation before parliament, the government will set a National Planning Level for new international student commencements across secondary and tertiary education of 270,000 for the calendar year 2025. This will result in a maximum of 145,000 new international student commencements in publicly funded universities in 2025, which is around 2023 levels. There are some exclusions, including HDR students and students who are part of an Australian transnational education arrangement or a twinning arrangement. It is going to be a busy time over the coming months as we work to understand the impact of this on UQ and the UQ Faculty of Science.
It was great to see the recent release of the new National Science Statement and the National Science and Research Priorities last week.
The National Science Statement says:
Through science and innovation, Australia will develop new industries that drive a dynamic economy, provide well-paid jobs, improve our quality of life, preserve our unique environment and build a future made in Australia. This will be achieved through five imperatives:
- Australian scientists, science institutions and infrastructure shaping Australia’s future
- Science at the centre of Australian industry
- A diverse, skilled workforce to underpin the translation of science into new industries
- Embracing science to drive Australia’s regional and global interests
- A science system prepared for future challenges.
The National Science and Research Priorities are:
- transitioning to a net zero future
- supporting healthy and thriving communities
- elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders knowledge systems
- protecting and restoring Australia’s environment
- building a secure and resilient nation.
Last week, I attended the Australian Financial Review’s annual Higher Education Summit. It included much discussion and debate about the purpose and future of universities in Australia, with positive commentary referencing the contribution universities make to society, the resilience and optimism of individuals, the economic benefit of international student education beyond research (e.g. opportunities for underprivileged domestic students) and beyond universities (e.g. local communities), the value and impact of research on the community and the country, and the benefits and risks of differentiating universities in Australia. This was balanced by concerns about declining public trust in universities, the future of international education and the risks this presents to Australia, unclear implementation plans for the Universities Accord, the national policy environment and policy flip-flops, and research funding as a percentage of GDP.
Congratulations
Congratulations to David Ascher (SCMB) who has been appointed as the Deputy Associate Dean Research (Research Partnerships) in the Faculty of Science. David brings a wealth of experience across research fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clinical genomics, drug discovery, and antimicrobial resistance. He is also an accomplished leader, holding roles such as Director of Biotechnology Programs, Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, and node leader of the Queensland Emory Vaccine Centre. As Deputy ADR (Research Partnerships), David will enable collaboration, engagement and partnerships of researchers in the Faculty of Science with researchers across UQ and with external partners in industry, government and academic institutions across Australia and internationally.
Congratulations to Lydia Kavanagh (FoS, EAIT and Academic Board) who has been appointed as the next President of the Academic Board. Lydia has made significant contributions to the Faculty of Science over the past five years in her role as Deputy Associate Dean Academic and Acting Associate Dean Academic, notably including her leadership of the program, plan and course rationalization exercise PA2 and several academic program reviews amongst many other projects, along with significant contributions to the important work of the Academic Board in her role as Deputy President. Thank you, Lydia, for your contribution to the Faculty of Science and looking forward to working with you in your new role!
Congratulations to the recently awarded ARC Future Fellows: Ramiro Lafuente (SMP), Hongyi Xu (SCMB), Christopher Baker (SMP), Cecilia Gonzales-Tokman (SMP), Fabio Cortesi (SENV), Jody Hobson-Peters (SCMB).
And ARC DECRA Fellows: Mile Gao (SCMB), Josephine Dias (SMP), Matt Sutton (SMP), James Orr (SENV).
Congratulations also to Matthew Holden (SMP and CBCS) for being named a 2024 Queensland Young Tall Poppy at a recent celebratory event. Further info here.
Events
On Monday 5 August the Faculty of Science co-hosted a workshop with Mr Cameron Costello (Chair, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation [QYAC]) to bring together people from across UQ and QYAC to discuss opportunities for collaboration. It was a highly productive day, and I look forward to facilitating new partnerships between UQ and QYAC in the future.
Opportunities
Applications for the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Elevate: Boosting Women in STEM scholarship program are open until 5pm, 30 August 2024.
Applications are also open for the Science Technology Australia Superstars of STEM program until 1 September.
The Queensland State Government Engaging Science Grants program is now accepting applications for STEM-based events or education and engagement projects and applications close at 4pm, 27 September 2024.
Kind regards,
Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean - Faculty of Science