Executive Dean’s Message - September 2024
Dear colleagues,
As we enter the final quarter of the year there is a lot to look forward to, including UQ Research and Innovation Week and UQ Teaching and Learning Week, wrapping up Semester 2 teaching and assessment, hearing the outcomes of several research grant schemes and of course graduations and end-of-year parties. As the mince pies, puddings and decorations are already appearing in shops, many of us are also planning for the end-of-year break and the opportunity to refresh before the start of another big year. Please consider booking in some leave if your circumstances allow.
News
It was great to see the 2024 National Taiwan University Rankings outcomes earlier this month, notably including the following field rankings: Agriculture (6th globally, 1st nationally), Life Sciences (38th globally, 2nd nationally) and Natural Sciences (87th globally, 3rd nationally). We also did well in NTU subject rankings including Environment/Ecology ranked 6th, Agricultural Sciences 13th, Plant & Animal Science 23rd, Microbiology 25th, Biology & Biochemistry 33rd, and Molecular Biology & Genetics 50th. It was also great to see improvements in the rankings for Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Physics and Space Science. Thank you to the many people within and beyond the Faculty of Science who contribute to our continued success in these areas!
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, the Bachelor of Science review took place towards the end of August. We have now received the recommendations and are absolutely delighted! The panel did an amazing job of identifying the key strengths and opportunities, providing some delightful commendations and proposing some great recommendations, with a strong focus on the student and the staff experience. The review team and I are currently working through the recommendations and how best to respond. The outcomes and next steps will be shared after we have discussed with the Academic Board Standing Committee in November.
It has been a very challenging time for the university sector with ongoing uncertainty about international student caps, the outcome of the current Senate enquiry, and whether or not the associated amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act will be passed in parliament. If the amendments are passed, the predicted maximum number of international students for UQ is less than the number of international students we were hoping to enrol in 2025, but still slightly more than our 2024 numbers. This is a better outcome than some other Australian universities, but will still present some challenges for the university. We look forward to a resolution on this very challenging matter to provide certainty to the many students who are hoping to study with us and to enable the university to plan for 2025.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Aidan Byrne, Provost and teacher in the School of Mathematics and Physics, on his upcoming retirement and for his exceptional leadership and many contributions to the university over the last eight years.
Congratulations to Peter Crisp (AGFS), who has been awarded the prestigious Peter Goldacre Award from the Australian Society of Plant Scientists (ASPS).
Each year our Science Undergraduate Research Conference provides a professional platform for some of our burgeoning scientists to share their research with the UQ community. We had some fantastic entries this year, and my congratulations go to our 2024 winners Chantelle Jackson (undergraduate) and Madison Lacy (honours).
Congratulations and good luck to the eight Queensland women (including UQ Science graduate Keely Perry) who have been named as finalists in the 2024 Queensland Women in STEM Prize which highlights outstanding commitment, ingenuity, and an unwavering drive to push the boundaries of what is possible. Winners will be announced in early November.
Events
It was very exciting to attend the official launch of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC) on 2 September and to celebrate the establishment of the centre and hear the inspiring vision and anticipated outcomes over the next seven years. Congratulations to Warwick Bowen (SMP) and his national team!
It was also an honour and privilege to attend the formal opening of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures on 23 September. This is the first Indigenous-led CoE in Australia’s history and I also look forward to seeing the amazing vision becoming a reality over the coming years.
It was also delightful to attend the Jiro Kikkawa Celebration hosted by the School of the Environment on 5 September. The event celebrated the life and legacy of the former Head of the Department of Zoology at UQ, who also held roles at many other prestigious institutions. The event also recognized the amazing research that is currently undertaken in the School of the Environment, through three outstanding presentations, and included an award ceremony that recognised the achievements of many staff and students.
On 18 August the Gatton campus was buzzing with activity for Open Day with more than 1400 guests (a 50% increase on last year) visiting to explore the many campus facilities, say hello to some of our livestock and learn more about the world-class teaching and research opportunities we offer. Thanks once again to the many staff and students who contributed to the success of these events including academic and professional staff who manned stalls, answered questions, ran tours and gave lectures.
It was great to acknowledge RUOK Day on 12 September with colleagues in the Faculty of Science Professional Services Team. Thank you to our Faculty Executive Manager, Helen Weir and Senior Manager HR, Rebecca Dorman for your inspiring words on the importance of connecting with and supporting others through challenging times.
Opportunities
As announced in our August newsletter, Professor Lydia Kavanagh has been appointed as the new President of UQ’s Academic Board and will commence in this role in 2025. We are therefore seeking an enthusiastic and passionate person to take on the role of Deputy Associate Dean Academic (Curriculum Design and Teaching Innovation). Lydia has done an amazing job in this role for many years, enabling us to navigate through a very dynamic environment and achieve great things. If you’re interested in this role, please find the details online and note that applications close on Sunday 13 October.
Other news
October is the National Safe Work Month and our HSW team will be hosting a range of events to support our collective commitment to improving health and safety for everyone.
Kind regards,
Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean - Faculty of Science