IQ inside
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Queensland University of Technology Newspaper Issue 280 February 12 - March 3, 2008
Welcome
THE doors are open and the moving boxes are being unpacked at Kelvin Grove’s newest student-dedicated residential development sited on QUT’s doorstep.
Fo r f i r s t - ye a r s t u d e n t Tre n t Williamson, one of about 10,000 new students to start at QUT this year, his new digs are proving to be a home away from home.
The former Emerald State High School student begins a Bachelor of
Human Movement Studies at Kelvin Grove campus.
“I am pretty excited, I think the experience of living on campus will be great,” he said.
As well as throwing himself into study, Trent will also spend his days on the fi eld at Suncorp Stadium after securing a contract to play with the Brisbane Broncos under-20s.
“Doing human movement studies at QUT fi ts in well with my sporting interests. While it’s my dream to play fi rst-grade football, it is just as important to have a university degree
to fall back on.”
The new residential development, owned and operated by Campus Living Villages, is situated in the heart of the award-winning Kelvin Grove Urban Village.
It caters for 456 students from tertiary institutions across Brisbane and off ers a range of fully furnished and self-contained apartments with one, two, three, fi ve and six-bedroom residences to cater for a diversity of student needs.
“What stuck out for me is the prime location,” 17-year-old Trent said.
“I’m living in a fi ve-bedroom unit and I think living on campus will be a good way to meet people.”
He said one of the bonuses of living at Kelvin Grove would be the community atmosphere.
As part of village life, a student activities program will be run to ensure residents can develop their individual interests as well as meet new friends in a secure environment.
Campus Living Villages’ director of operations, Tim Weston, said a team of resident assistants, who were themselves students, would nurture a
communal atmosphere by organising a range of fun, social and cultural activities.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake said the Kelvin Grove Urban Village represented a shift in the way universities interacted with community.
“The village has an exciting mix of new education and innovation facilities which are integrated with the residential, commercial, retail and community facilities,” he said.
- Sandra Hutchinson First-year student Trent
Williamson makes QUT his new home.
www.news.qut.edu.au George Street Brisbane 4000 Telephone (07) 3138 2361 Registered by Australia Post – Publication No. QBF 4778. CRICOS No 00213J
Market week
Students step in
Monday, Feb 18
Campus tour, GP, A Block - 9am.
Orientation Under the Big Top, GP, Kidney Lawn - noon to 2pm.
Library tour, GP, V Block - noon & 5pm.
Tuesday, Feb 19
International students’ offi cial welcome, GP, Z Block, Rm 411 - 9am.
Campus tour, GP, A Block - 9am.
Campus tour, Cars, Info Desk near Plaza - 2pm.
Library tour, GP, V Block - noon & 5pm.
Library tour, KG, level 2 foyer, - 10am.
Library tour, Cars, foyer - 1pm, 2pm, 4pm.
Wednesday, Feb 20
Campus tour, GP, A Block - 9am.
Pool party, GP, Aquatic Centre, - 4 to 9pm.
Orientation Under the Big Top , GP, Kidney Lawn - noon to 2pm.
Library tour, GP, V Block - 1pm and 5pm.
Library tour, KG, level 2 foyer - 2pm.
Thursday, Feb 21
Orientation Under the Big Top, KG, A Block lawn - noon to 2pm.
Library tour, KG, level 2 foyer - 12.30pm & 1.30pm.
Campus tour, KG, A Block - 9am.
Friday, Feb 22
Orientation Under the Big Top, KG, A Block lawn - noon to 2pm.
Campus tour, KG, A Block - 9am.
Library tour, KG, level 2 foyer - noon & 1.30pm.
Lunch and entertainment, Cab, from 12.30pm includes
free spit roast and mocktails.
Monday, Feb 25
Market day, GP, Kidney Lawn - 11am to 3pm.
Tuesday, Feb 26
Market day, GP, Kidney Lawn - 11am to 3pm.
Wednesday, Feb 27 Market day, Cars, The Plaza - 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Thursday, Feb 28
Market day, KG, A Block lawn &
courtyard - 11am to 3pm.
Orientation services
Build your own orientation event schedule -
www.orientation.qut.edu.au
Cab - Caboolture Cars - Carseldine GP - Gardens Point KG - Kelvin Grove
WELCOME, everyone, to 2008.
In particular, I would like to the take this opportunity to extend a special welcome to all those who are commencing studies at QUT this year, as well as to those who are returning to resume your studies in 2008.
Each year some 16,000 new students join QUT, among whom will be nearly 10,000 Australian undergraduates, more than 500 new research students, and over 2500 overseas students. Together with those returning to their studies we have a student community of nearly 40,000 people, drawn from all walks of life and most parts of the globe.
We pride ourselves on the sense of community we have at QUT, and being part of this community off ers a great range of opportunities for students. Beyond the formal learning settings and in addition to the services and facilities provided by the university, there are programs for those wishing to engage in various ways with the community or with industry, as well as avenues for students to learn from one another and to participate in social events and student groups, clubs and societies.
QUT is well aware of the many pressures on our students, and of the competing demands on your time.
We k n ow t h a t Au s t r a l i a n university students shoulder a high level of the cost of their education by international standards, and that
many are combining paid work with studies.
We are very conscious that the fi nancial pressures on our students are such that a signifi cant number of students will fi nd it diffi cult to engage properly with their studies and to take up the wider opportunities offered by involvement in the university community.
QUT has taken its own steps to address this concern, including a program of scholarships and fi nancial assistance for students that is among the best in Australia.
T h e n e w l y - e l e c t e d R u d d Government has also signalled some measures to increase scholarships and has indicated that it will take a fresh look at the system of university funding and student support.
The aim should be to ensure that all students have the resources to benefi t from proper participation in high-quality university education.
We hope that you will fi nd your experience at QUT enjoyable and transforming.
Studying here provides you a great opportunity to challenge your preconceptions, develop new perspectives, acquire new knowledge, and to build friendships.
I urge everyone to take advantage of the many opportunities available and I wish you all the very best with your time at QUT.
Peter Coaldrake QUT Vice-Chancellor
QUT ranked in top 200
COMMENT
World rankings
QUT’s fi rst-rate reputation has earned it a place among the world’s top 200 universities, according to the 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement- QS World University Rankings.
QUT was r anked 195 in the prestigious world rankings.
The university came in ninth out of 12 Australian universities named
in the top 200 listing, outperforming all other Australian Technolog y Network universities.
It is the second time QUT has made the list and comes on top of news that the university was ranked 10 in the 2007 Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research rankings, which also measure international standing.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor
Peter Coaldrake said the results were recognition of the quality of education QUT off ered.
“QUT continues to grow and excel in the key areas of research, teaching, graduate outcomes and quality of staff, which all contributed to this outstanding ranking,” he said.
Har vard University r anked in number one place, while Cambridge, Oxford and Yale tied for second.
Professor Suzanne Carrington
PROFESSOR Suzanne Carrington has been appointed the new head of QUT’s School of Learning and Professional Studies.
Professor Carrington is an accomplished and experienced researcher, educator and academic with a national and international reputation and a record of leadership within and outside the university.
Professor Christian Langton
INTERNATIONALLY celebrated physicist Christian Langton has joined QUT’s Faculty of Science. Professor Langton is renowned for his work in the area of ultrasound assessment of cancellous bone and osteoporosis, and brings with him both industry experience and academic expertise. He comes to QUT from the University of Hull in the UK.
Scott Sheppard
SCOTT Sheppard is QUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Development). Prior to this he was the Minister-Counsellor (Education, Science and Training) at the Australian Embassy. Previously he held the position of executive director of QUT International. Professor Vi McLean has taken on the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching Quality).
Career outcomes
JOB hunting can be both stressful and competitive, but not for QUT radiography graduate Ashlea White who had a job stitched up in June, months before she fi nished her science degree late last year.
Ashlea, pictured above, completed her three-year Bachelor of Applied Science degree in medical radiation technology (medical imaging technology) knowing full well she had a job waiting.
In fact, her entire class has all secured jobs, giving the course a 100 per cent employment success rate.
“Knowing that I had this job waiting for me has been a real relief,” Ashlea said.
me to really focus on my studies.”
Ashlea said the course was both interesting and challenging and best of all, it was hands-on from the fi rst year.
“Right from the start we were using the x-ray machines in the QUT lab and in fi rst year we were working in hospitals,” she said.
A s h l e a s a i d s c h o o l l e ave r s contemplating a career as a radiographer would be entering a profession with plenty of opportunities.
“I always wanted to choose a career in the health sector and as far as job opportunities go there are plenty.
“Coming into the course I knew there was a shortage of radiographers so I knew I was entering a career that would off er plenty in the future.
“The other big plus is there are opportunities to develop my skills further in the future and go into areas such as ultrasound and MRI, and these are real growth technologies.”
Executive Dean of Science Professor Margaret Britz said QUT was the only Queensland university to off er a degree in medical imaging technology.
“This course leads to employment as a medical imaging technologist or diagnostic radiographer, a rewarding profession with excellent employment prospects,” Professor Britz said.
“Radiographers play an important role in the health care sector, providing vital information to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders.”
Australian fi rst for researcher THE discovery of a new enzyme found in men suffering prostate cancer is o n e o f m a n y advances that has led to QUT’s Professor Judith Clements being h o n o u r e d w i t h a p r e s t i g i o u s international award.
Professor Clements was awarded the Frey-Werle Foundation Commemorative Gold Medal and is the fi rst Australian to win the esteemed prize.
The Munich-based prize is not awarded every year and Professor Clements, from QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, keeps good company on the honour roll.
Also awarded the prize this year was the 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine
US prize for language expert
A QUT language ex p e r t h a s wo n a celebr ated US prize for her book Assessing Young Language Learners, which is aimed at improving the learning outcomes of young students undertaking a language other than their own.
Adjunct Professor Penny McKay, from QUT’s Centre for Learning and Innovation, was awarded the 27th annual Kenneth W. Mildenberger Prize by the Modern Language Association of America.
The book, which is a much needed resource for teachers, focuses on providing assessment strategies for teachers of children who learn English as a second language, or who are
Our latest achievers New appointments
100 per cent job success
for radiography grads
Jessica makes a top choice
Caption_New (reverse) Blah blah blah Blah blah blah Blah blah blah Blah blah blah Blah blah blah
Medical physics
A NON-INVASIVE diagnostic tool to detect surface cancers quickly and painlessly using technology employed by gyms to calculate body composition has been developed by a QUT PhD medical physics researcher.
Jye Smith, pictured above, from QUT’s School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, has developed a new diagnostic technique using bioimpedance spectroscopy to diagnose cervical and skin cancers.
Bioimpedance measures the electrical characteristics of biological tissue and is used by gyms to calculate amounts
of lean tissue, water and fat.
“It has only recently been applied to biological tissue to determine healthy, cancerous or dead cells,” he said.
“It off ers the possibility of a simple device that can be run over the surface of the skin or internal organ that can quickly, cheaply and accurately record changes in cellular structure that point to cancerous changes.”
The technique sends tiny electrical currents into the tissue.
“By running the currents through a surface it can identify the boundaries of a lesion,” he said.
“If a cell’s structure has changed, the impedance characteristics change
and clinicians can use the changes to diagnose the type of lesion.”
He said the technique picked up changes inside the cells, changes in cells’ membranes and also changes in the space between cells.
“By putting all this information together, it may be possible to diagnose types of cancer along with their boundaries.
“The beauty of this technique is that the patient doesn’t need an anaesthetic, the data is immediate, and it has the potential to be as accurate as more time-consuming, expensive techniques.”
- Niki Widdowson
Tool cuts out need for diagnostic surgery
Health
EXPOSURE to air pollution signifi cantly reduces foetus size during pregnancy, according to a new study by Brisbane scientists.
QUT senior research fellow Dr Adrian Barnett said the study compared the foetus sizes of more than 15,000 ultrasound scans in Brisbane to air pollution levels within a 14km radius of the city.
“The study found that mothers with a higher exposure to air pollution had foetuses that were, on average, smaller in terms of abdominal circumference, head circumference and femur length,”
Dr Barnett said.
The 10-year study, which was undertaken by Dr Barnett, Dr Craig Hansen (US Environmental Protection Agency) and Dr Gar y Pritchard (PacUser), was published in the international journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
Dr Barnett, who is based at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, said the study looked at foetuses between 13 and 26 weeks duration.
“To our knowledge this is the fi rst study of its kind as it uses ultrasound measurement as a direct estimate of growth, rather than using birth weight as a delayed measure of growth,” Dr Barnett said.
“When analysing scans from women at different distances to monitoring sites, we found that there was a negative relationship between pollutants such as sulphur dioxide found in diesel emissions, and ultrasound measurement.
“If the pollution levels were high the size of the foetus decreased signifi cantly.”
Dr Bar nett said with research showing that bigger babies were healthier in childhood and adulthood, foetus size during pregnancy was important.
“Birth weight is a major predictor of later health, for example, bigger babies have been shown to have higher IQs in childhood and lower risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood,”
he said.
“While some people may think there is no air pollution in Brisbane because the air looks so clean, you have to remember that most air pollutants are not visible to the naked eye, people do have a very outdoor lifestyle, and homes are designed to maximise airfl ow.
“So although the actual levels of pollution are low our exposure to whatever is out there is relatively high.
“This is particularly a problem for people who live near major roads.”
Dr Barnett said it was wise for pregnant women to try to reduce their exposure to air pollution, most of which in Brisbane was caused by vehicles.
“While we need to get more data from individual mothers before we can be more certain about the eff ects of air pollution on foetal development, we would recommend that where possible pregnant women reduce their exposure to air pollution.”
- Sandra Hutchinson
Pollution shrinks foetus size
New course
With an OP 1 Jessica Slater had her pick of degrees and although she contemplated the more traditional avenues of medicine, engineering and law, it was her “passion for people” that drove her choice to study a Bachelor of Social Work at QUT.
For the fi rst time this year QUT is off ering the four-year social work degree which is internationally accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
“It was a pretty huge decision and everyone seemed to have an opinion on what I should be doing at uni,”
18-year-old Jessica, pictured, said.
“But my passion is for people and I believe that people can change and there is always hope.
“There’s an old saying that if you give a man a fi sh you will feed him for a day, but teach a man to fi sh and you will feed him for a lifetime.
“I think this is true and I don’t just want to be part of a bandaid solution.”
Jessica, who f inished Year 12 at Wavell State High School last year, said studying social work would give her the skills to make a diff erence in people’s lives.
“I think with this degree a lot more doors will open, whether that
is working with an international aid agency overseas, in government, schools or hospitals,” she said.
The new social work degree is being offered through QUT’s Faculty of Health and builds on the university’s substantial expertise in the area of human services.
Course coordinator Dr Phil Crane said the degree had a real-world focus.
“We incorporate a practice focus into the academic units as well as provide each student with 980 hours of professional practice experience in their third and fourth years.”
He said the students may be able to take their fi nal-year placements overseas.
“QUT has par tnerships with organisations around the world so that our social work students can choose to gain their practical experience in other countries as well as across Australia.”
Dr Cr ane said social wor k offered many rewarding career p a t h s i n cl u d i n g s e r v i c e s fo r children, families and people with disabilities.
“There is a strong and continuing demand for social workers and this includes a wide range of individual, family and community options, in international aid organisations and in the area of policy advocacy.”
Information technology IMAGINE cycling through the countryside, riding in outer space or dodging zombies on your bike, all from the comfort of your own lounge.
Well, a team of QUT information technology students has developed a new way of exercising that breaks the boredom cycle forever.
Team member Gavin Jones, pictured right, said regular exercise had become a necessary part of most people’s lives.
“We all do it, well at least we all should be doing it, but spending 30 minutes on the bike at the gym or in your own home is not really that fun,” he said.
“What we have done is develop a system that takes you on a new and exciting journey in virtual exercise.
The user is able to select a virtual
‘training circuit’ in which to cycle around.”
Gavin said the f itness system provided the user with a virtual setting in which to ride. It works by using a specially designed IT g aming pr og r am, wii r emote controls (wiimotes) from the Nintendo gaming console, and a
flexible mirror which was used to refl ect an infra-red light beam which contr olled the vir tual environment.
He said an accurate and responsive detection of head and leg movements via the wiimotes, allowed the user to propel forward and look around and explore the virtual environment.
“We have also incor porated sound effects, making this a totally immersive and engaging experience,” he said.
“The result is a fl exible and highly responsive gaming system that can be customised to suit the user’s needs.”
Gavin said the prototype fi tness system could easily be adapted for a commercial market.
“It’s achievable because it is relatively cheap to do and easy to use on any piece of exercise equipment,” Gavin said.
“You could use it on a treadmill, rowing machine or exercise bike like we have.
“At the moment you have to look at a screen in front of you to view the game but if developed into a commercial product you would wear video goggles.”
- Sandra Hutchinson
Reality fi tness breaks the boredom cycle
Journalism
A VIBRANT internship network and a stellar team of teachers – including Gold Walkley Award winner Hedley Thomas – have won QUT journalism students more awards than students from any Austr alian university at an annual student journalism competition.
T h e J o u r n a l i s m E d u c a t i o n Association “Ossie” awards were judged by senior industry professionals from across the country who awarded QUT students with four fi rst prizes
Top prizes were:
- Best Television News story, won by Rebecca Ayres, pictured right, for her story on the Fortitude Valley Plan.
- Best Radio News Story, won by Susie Lipscombe for her report on seniors’ living conditions.
- Best Print Feature, won by Michelle Mills for her story on chaplains caring for night-time revellers.
- Best Story by an International Student, won by Nina Plonka for her story on mental illness.
Highly commended were Daniel Hurst (print news), Britta Conroy and Lena Zhou (online story), QUT News
(TV current aff airs).
QUT journalism discipline leader Professor Alan Knight said the university’s journalism courses were extremely popular and places in the courses were in high demand.
“The journalism courses benefi t from a strong teaching team and through close links with the media industry,” Professor Knight said.
“A vibrant internship network, excellent facilities and assessment largely based on production mean talented and committed students have the best opportunities available.”
Big award news for journalism students
Students win for
liveability plans
Urban development
DESIGNS that harmonise industry and residents in high-growth urban areas of Brisbane have won top honours for QUT planning students at Queensland’s premier planning industry awards for the sixth year in a row.
Three QUT teams were awarded four prizes by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) for their projects that promoted and enhanced regional planning and community development in both the eastern Brisbane-Gateway region and the Stones Corner-Buranda precinct.
P r o j e c t s u p e r v i s o r A s s o c i a t e Professor Phil Heywood said the students’ results combined technical expertise with insight and creativity to transform the prosperity, community life and environmental quality of both local and regional areas.
“The Eastern Gateway Growth team showed how ports, housing, offi ces, recreation and environmental conservation can be mixed in a
carefully planned mosaic of buff ered land uses,” he said.
“Meanwhile, the Buranda-Stones Corner precinct is also undergoing great growth.
“The challenge here is to conserve the character of the area while allowing for commercial growth and preserving the natural environment of the Norman Creek corridor.”
The eight-student team who developed the Easter n Gateway Growth Management Strategy 2026 won both the Tertiary Student Project Award for Excellence and a merit award in the open regional planning achievement category.
A second eight-member team also tied for the Award for Excellence with a project that tackled the development of the Buranda-Stones Corner precinct, while a six-member team working on the same project gained a merit award in the social and community-based planning open category.
- Rachael Wilson
Making t
Student David Bremner was part of the winning QUT team of planners.
Real world experience
It’s well-known that Dubai is the world’s development hot spot and that QUT is the university for the real world.
Put the two together and it’s no surprise that 18 QUT students from urban development disciplines took an eight-day study tour to Dubai to get an in-depth look at the city’s
frenetic development program.
Q U T S c h o o l o f U r b a n Development lecturer Andrea Blake, who accompanied the students, said it was the second year that students from the Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering had visited Dubai.
“The tour allowed students t o e n g a g e w i t h d eve l o p m e n t professionals in one of the most
dynamic development markets in the world,” Ms Blake said.
“Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It’s like it is on steroids. Currently 30 per cent of the world’s cranes pierce the Dubai skyline - in the Jumirah precinct alone there are more than 200 high-rise buildings being built.
“In view of Dubai’s importance as a global construction hub, the students’ tour was subsidised by the Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering.”
The students visited the world’s tallest high-rise, the Burj Dubai.
For QUT quantity surveying student Muhammed Sabdia, the trip capped off his fi nal year of study perfectly.
“It was just the sheer volume of construction - it makes Brisbane look like a country town. Where else in the world do they work three eight-hour shifts per day, seven days a week?” Mr Sabdia said.
“Aside from the volume, it was also interesting to see projects where money was no object – the goal is to create something bigger, bolder and more unique than anything else, the budget had little signifi cance.”
Ms Blake said many Queensland and
Australian development professionals were drawn to Dubai to work.
“We met with QUT architecture graduate Perry Just who is design manager for the Gold Coast-based development company Sunland Emirates which is building the second Versace Hotel in the world,”
she said.
QUT students were from first to four th year, in disciplines ranging from urban and regional planning, construction management, e n g i n e e r i n g a n d p r o p e r t y economics.
- Niki Widdowson
Study tour
New York
state of mind
Graduate success
Three members of the QUT community found themselves New-York bound in recent months, after fi nding success in the worlds of fashion, television and the United Nations.
A two-month internship at the UN headquarters in New York is all part of Asti Mardiasmo’s strategy to build an international career.
The 23-year-old is a business graduate and now PhD candidate at the School of Management and the Cooperative Research Centre for Integ r ated Engineering Asset Management, and will go to New York for an eight-week stint in the UN’s Ethics Offi ce “learning everything I can”.
Ms Mardiasmo said her time in New York would be spent helping to formulate implementation and monitoring governance policies for a variety of countries.
Creative writing graduate Felicity Carpenter’s trip to New York was a world away from the UN, after she won a television scriptwriting award and a seat at the International Emmy Awards last November.
Ms Carpenter received the Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award from the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, for her script, Touching People.
The award included a US$2500 prize and a screening at the academy’s international television festival.
Another young graduate, Hannah
McDonald, will pay her dues at the style centre of New York before making her own mark on the fashion industry.
Ms McDonald, 21, who graduated from QUT’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Fashion) last November, is preparing to enjoy spring in the norther n hemisphere immersed in fashion with a much-coveted internship.
their mark
Pictured clockwise from top: Hannah McDonald prepares to head to New York to work in a trendy fashion house. Felicity Carpenter was the winner of a television scriptwriting prize, earning her a seat at the International Emmy Awards. Asti Mardiasmo will help develop government policies at the UN.
Health
A BADGE that is not much bigger than a 50 cent piece has been developed by QUT to monitor the sun exposure of people working outdoors.
A s s o c i a t e P r o fe s s o r M i c h a e l Kimlin, from the Australian Sun and Health Research Laboratory based at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, said UV exposure was a major issue for many Queensland workplaces highlighting the importance of employers and employees in adopting sun protection policies and practices.
“Outdoor workers have a higher risk of skin cancer given the amount of time they spend outside exposed to UV light, whether that is from direct sunlight or refl ected from surrounding surfaces such as buildings and water,”
Professor Kimlin said.
Professor Kimlin said the badge, which was made of a polymer material,
degraded when exposed to sunlight.
“ I t wo r k s b y u n d e r g o i n g a photochemical reaction when exposed to UV light and can easily attach to a person’s clothing,” he said.
“Using the badge we are able to measure the amount of sun exposure a person receives over a set period of time, which is an important tool in the assessment of risk of exposure to UV radiation.”
Professor Kimlin said, while it was important to know the level of UV exposure, it was just as impor tant to work with workplaces to provide sun-safe policies.
“ Th e re a re m a ny s t r a t eg i e s employers can implement to ensure their staff are sun-protected, including wearing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, timing of outdoor activities and fi t-for- purpose clothing,” he said.
One organisation which has been work ing with QUT is electricity company Energex.
Last year Energex employees began wearing the badges so that accurate measurements could be made of individual UV exposure
levels.
Energex safety adviser B r e t t H a r r i s o n s a i d the research involved employees wearing the badges for three consecutive days while carrying out a range of diff ering work tasks.
Professor Kimlin said the research showed Energex employees, while exhibiting differing knowledge of skin cancer risks, were in the majority adopting very good UV exposure control measures.
- Sandra Hutchinson
Sun badge exposes UV risks in BRIEF...
Free Parkinson’s program Help for people with Parkinson’s disease to stay mobile and live with confi dence is being offered in a free program offered by QUT’s School of Human Movement Studies. The new program is being offered at Kelvin Grove campus to anyone in the community who has Parkinson’s disease and their carers. The holistic program begins with an assessment of lifestyle, health status, balance, mobility and strength, and is then personalised for each person’s needs and mobility.
To participate in the program or fi nd out more information phone 07 3138 5823.
Indigenous cadetship QUT student Patrick Murphy spent his summer break learning the ropes of the urban development industry at Canberra Investment Corporation Limited. As part of the Australian Government’s National Indigenous Cadetship Project, Patrick joined one of the country’s largest development fi rms for 12 weeks of paid work experience. Patrick has just completed his fi rst year of a Bachelor of Urban Development (Property Economics) degree with QUT’s Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering.
Prestigious course Three QUT Film and Television graduates will further galvanise their careers as fi lmmakers when they undertake study at the prestigious Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Lucy Gaffy, Tom Noakes and Will Goodfellow, who all graduated in 2006 and won a swag of awards at last year’s Queensland New Filmmaker Awards, have secured places in the much coveted Graduate Certifi cate of Directing and Screenwriting.
Off-road riders wanted QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q), is looking for off-road motorcyclists in North Queensland to voice their opinions and experiences for an off- road safety study. Off-road motorbike riders account for half of all motorcyclists admitted to hospital with serious crash injuries, but very little is known about this group of bike riders. For more information phone Dale Steinhardt on 07 3138 4922 or email d.steinhardt@qut.
edu.au.
Smashing silicon ceiling Tech-savvy QUT graduate Raeleen Gillett has won the 2008 inaugural IT’s Million $ Babes award in recognition of her multi-million dollar software development company which is making its mark on the global market.
The prestigious award is for women who create and lead multi-million dollar technology businesses and who, in doing so, have achieved fi nancial success.
As chief executive offi cer of Octahedron, Raeleen has developed a web-based jewellery store management system. The software comes preloaded on to a computer unit and allows the user to manage their business.
Best paper
Queensland’s east coast may have more effi cient and cost-effective testing of electricity supply equipment thanks to a QUT student industry project. Final-year electrical and computer engineering student Mathew Gaskin investigated the use of ultra-high frequency (UHF) antennas as monitoring devices for power
transformers as part of his honours thesis. His paper won the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers best undergraduate thesis award in Queensland.
Student ambassadors
HUMAN movement studies student Dane Corowa became a QUT student ambassador to gain some experience and confidence in public speaking while for Ella Chorazy it was to enjoy the reward of helping young people.
They are two of about 100 QUT student ambassadors who receive paid employment to visit schools and talk about uni life to Year 12 students who are considering studying at university.
Both became QUT ambassadors as second-year students and are signing up again this year.
“It is so rewarding going out and being able to talk to prospective students and know you are helping them,” said Ella, who is studying a double degree in creative industries and business.
“They want to know anything and everything from courses and fees to what university life is like.”
For Dane, who is also a personal trainer, being an ambassador has certainly improved his confi dence.
“It was a nice challenge to talk to a group of 50 students and give presentations on my experiences at university,” he said.
“Being an ambassador fi ts in perfectly with my uni studies because I can choose my hours by checking out the jobs that are coming up and signing up
to do them.”
Ella said she was looking forward to visiting regional areas this year having had an overnight trip last year to talk to high school students in Toowoomba.
“We have the most fun at the tertiary expos where there are big groups and lots of activity but I enjoy the presentations the most, when students come up and thank you, especially when they were not thinking of going to university and have changed their
Help wanted: spreading the word about life at uni
Queensland University of Technology GPO Box 2434 Q 4001 qut.com
2008 staff opinion survey
20 February – 21 March
GEN-08-869 CRICOS no. 00213J
You are invited to take this opportunity to give your views on the work climate at QUT by completing the 2008 QUT Staff Opinion Survey.
The survey will be available from Wednesday, 20 February until Friday, 21 March 2008 on QUT Virtual.
All responses will remain confidential.
More information
Please visit the survey website at www.hrd.qut.edu/survey
QUT is looking to recruit more student ambassadors from all faculties, particularly fi rst-year students. Mature-age students are also encouraged to apply.
If you are interested, email [email protected].
Applications close March 7.
QUT wants YOU
Dane Corowa and Ella Chorazy are QUT student ambassadors.
Associate Professor Michael Kimlin, left, with Energex safety adviser Brett Harrison.
Banking
GP – Commonwealth Bank ATM – ground level, Y Block (next to refectory).
Uni Credit Union – top level, Y Block, 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri. 3229 1388.
Multicard ATM – outside Y Block.
KG –Uni Credit Union – level 1, A Block, 11am-2pm Mon-Fri. 3138 3187.
Multicard ATM – main entrance to C Block, near bookshop.
Multicard ATM outside newsagent in the Urban Village Centre.
Multicard ATM at the Carraway St entrance to Urban Village Centre.
Cars – Multicard ATM – level 2, C Block.
Bookshops
(books and computer software) GP – ground level, Y Block, 8.30am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-4pm Fri. 3138 2433.
KG – level 4, C Block, 8.30am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-4pm Fri. 3138 3125.
Cars – level 2, C Block, 8.30am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-1pm Fri. 3138 4569.
Second-hand textbooks are available through the Student Guild Info Centres (see separate entry).
Visit www.bookshop.qut.edu.au
Campus Clubs
(QUT Student Guild)
GP – top level, Y Block. Contact Tony Flymen 3138 2698.
KG – level 4, C Block. Contact Brad Simmons 3138 5516
Cars – top level, C Block. Open noon-5pm Contact 3138 4580.
Campus Shops
(QUT Student Guild)
GP – ground level, Y Block, 8.30am-6pm Mon- Thu, 8.30am-4:30pm Fri. (9am-4:30pm during recess.) 3138 1681.
- Merchandise Central, level 2, Y Block, 10am- 4pm Mon-Fri. (10am-2pm during recess) KG – Kelvin Grove News and Post Offi ce, opposite bookshop in C Block, 7am-5.30pm Mon-Fri. 3138 3330.
Careers &
Employment Service
GP – level 2, U Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri.
3138 2649.
KG – level 4, C Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8am-4pm Fri. 3138 3488.
Cars – level 2, C Block, 8am-4pm Mon-Thu.
3138 4539.
Course direction and career support – 3138 2649, email [email protected] or visit www.careers.qut.edu.au.
Chaplaincy Services
Fr Bavin Clarke is the QUT Chaplain and can be contacted on 3138 2700, 0414 642 700 or [email protected]. The chaplain is based at Level 1 Y Block, GP. KG Campus contact is James Edwards – 3138 3352, room A131 KG.
The Chaplaincy Service visits Cars and Cab – contact the student centre for details.
Childcare Centres
(QUT Student Guild)
** NB – long waiting lists apply for under 2s GP – childcare centre (six weeks to fi ve years), 7.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri. 3138 1690.
GP – crèche (six weeks to fi ve years), 7.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri. 3138 4047.
KG – 9 School St, 7.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri.
3138 3943.
Cars – childcare (six weeks to fi ve years), 7am- 6pm Mon-Fri. Eastern Beams Rd entrance.
3138 4801.
Cab – A childcare centre is located nearby to the campus 6.30am-6pm. 5498 3542.
Clubs & Societies
(QUT Student Guild)
To fi nd out about a wide variety of clubs and societies, call 3138 2040 or visit www.guildonline.net.
QUT Sport
(QUT Student Guild)
For information about sport on campus, call 3138 4404 or visit www.guildonline.net.
IT Help Desk
IT help desk 3138 4000.
GP – level 2, V Block.
KG – level 2, R Block.
Cars – level 2, A Block.
For opening times, visit www.ithelpdesk.qut.
edu.au.
Counselling Services
The Counselling Service promotes academic and personal development by providing a professional, free and confi dential service to students. Advice on welfare issues is also available.
GP – level 3, X Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8am-4pm Fri. 3138 2383.
KG – level 4, C Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8am-4pm Fri. 3138 3488.
Cars – level 2, C Block, 8am-4pm Mon-Thu.
3138 4539 (during semester).
Cab – Contact Carseldine Service for assistance. 3138 4539.
Equity Programs & Services
QUT provides a range of programs and services to create an inclusive environment and to support the social and cultural diversity of students and staff . www.equity.qut.edu.au GP – level 1, X Block. 3138 2699.
KG – level 3, C Block. 3138 5601.
Fitness Centre
(QUT Student Guild)
GP – Y Block (below refectory), 6am-8.30pm Mon-Thurs, 6am-7.30pm Fri, 9am -1pm &
3pm-7pm Sat, 3pm-7pm Sun. 3138 1685.
KG – C Block (below refectory), 6.30am-8pm Mon-Thurs, 6.30am-6.30pm Fri, 9am-1pm Sat.
3138 3710.
Food Venues & Catering
GP
Refectory – lower level, Y Block
Kitchen & Espresso Plus – lower level Y Block (refectory seating area)
Subway – top level, Y Block Artisans – opposite D Block Bar Merlo – ground level, X Block Espresso Plus – level 4, Z Block Deli Plus – outside library entrance Teppanyaki – top level Y Block Dusk Cafe – top level, Y Block KG
Refectory – C Block
Beadles on the Quad – behind A Block The Dancing Bean – Z1, Creative Industries Precinct
Beadles Express (SLSC) – Level 5 F Block Cars
Red Cafe – level 1, A Block Cab
Isabella’s – ground fl oor, B Block Canteen – ground fl oor, B Block
Guild Aquatic & Squash
(QUT Student Guild)
A 25-metre, eight-lane, indoor, heated swimming pool. Two glass-backed courts for squash, rebound volleyball and badminton.
I Block, GP (beside refectory). 5.30am-8pm Mon-Thurs, 5.30am-7pm Fri, 9am-5pm Sat &
Sun. 3138 1688 or 3138 2818.
Health
Medical Centres
GP – Level 4, X Block, 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri.
3138 2321.
KG – level 4, C Block, 8am-4pm Mon-Fri. 3138 3161.
Optometry Clinic
KG – level 5, O Block, B Wing. Enquiries – 8am-5pm Mon-Fri (except Wed 8am-7pm).
3138 5743 or 3138 5695. Open during semester breaks.
Podiatry Clinic
KG – level 6, O Block, B Wing. 9am-2.30pm Mon-Fri, 5pm-7pm Wed & Thurs. 3138 5652.
International Student Services
International Student Services (ISS) provides a range of services specifi cally designed for international students and Australian students from non-English speaking backgrounds. These include language and learning skills assistance, orientations, accommodation, fi nancial assistance, confi dential counselling as well as social and cultural activities.
GP – Level 3, X Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri.
3138 2019.
KG – level 4, C Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Thurs, 8am-4pm Fri. 3138 3488.
Homestay enquiries – KG, level 3 C Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. 3138 3846.
Study Abroad
& Exchange Unit
The focal point for the university’s international activity, the QUT student exchange program, study abroad programs and international visitors.
GP – level 3, O Block Podium, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. 3138 4300.
Student Exchanges 3138 2200 and Study Abroad 3138 2814.
www.international.qut.edu.au
Study & Learning Support
Support staff are available to help you develop skills for assignment preparation, research, time management, note-taking and critical thinking. To register for workshops, access guides and online tutorials go to www.kickstart.
qut.edu.au. For further assistance enquire at the Library help desks.
Library
GP – V Block. Help desk, 3138 2083.
– Law library, C Block. Help desk, 3138 2842.
KG – R Block. Help desk, 3138 3079.
Cars – R Block. Help desk, 3138 4555.
Cab – B Block. Help desk, 5316 7420.
www.library.qut.edu.au
Lost Property
GP – Campus Parking offi ce, level 1, M Block.
3138 8315.
KG – Campus Services, level 1, Y Block.
3138 3940.
Cars – Campus Services, level 4, C Block.
3138 4627.
Media Services
If you have a QUT-related story to tell contact Marketing and Communication Department and your newsworthy ideas may be considered for Inside QUT and other publications. 3138 2361 or [email protected].
Oodgeroo Unit
The Oodgeroo Unit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students has facilities on all campuses.
GP – ground level, X Block, room 104.
3138 1548.
KG – level 2, B Block, room 205. 3138 3610.
Cars – level 4, C Block, room 409. 3138 4874.
Cab – level 1, H Block, room 105. 5316 7447.
Parking
Parking at QUT is very limited (especially at GP and KG) and penalties apply for breaching parking regulations. Pay and display car parks exist at GP and KG. All campuses are easily accessed via public transport (see transport information below). Applications for people with demonstrated need are available at www.
fmd.qut.edu.au/campus_services/parking/. There is ample free parking at Caboolture campus.
Printing & Copying – QUT Printing Services
GP – level 4, V Block. 3138 1474.
KG – level 3, R Block. 3138 3938.
Cars – level 2, R Block. 3138 4772.
www.qps.qut.edu.au
Security
General enquiries – 3138 5585.
Emergencies – 3138 8888.
Freecall – 1800 065 585 (from anywhere in Australia).
Security operates 24 hours a day on all campuses, with emergency points on each campus. Escorts can be arranged to accompany you to your car in the evening. Night shuttle buses also service each campus – 3138 3940.
www.fmd.qut.edu.au/security/
Student Centres
Visit the Student Centre on your campus for information and assistance with the following.
admission enquiries, academic credit;
enrolment; fees (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, tuition fees); student ID cards, campus maps, directions and other administration or general enquiries.
GP – level 1, A Block. 9am-5.30pm Mon & Tues, 9am-5pm Wed-Fri.
KG – level 6, F Block. 9am-5pm.
Cars – level 2, C Block. 9am-4pm.
Cab – J Block 8.30am-4.30pm.
Student Guild Info Centres
(QUT Student Guild)
GP – Y Block courtyard. 9am-4pm Mon-Fri.
3138 1213. Second-hand bookshop level 3, Y Block, 3138 1680.
KG – level 3, C Block, 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 3138 3704.
Cars – level 3, C Block, 9am-5pm Mon-Thur, 9am-4pm Fri. 3138 4714.
Student Ombudsman
QUT has an ombudsman to help students resolve complaints or grievances. Details of the service are available from www.das.qut.edu.
au/offi ces/studentombud/ or 3138 2457.
Transport
Free (upon presentation of ID card) inter-campus services include.
•Kelvin Grove to Gardens Point 391 direct return service every 15 minutes during semester (every 30 minutes outside semester).
•Kelvin Grove to Carseldine 392 direct return service every 60 minutes approx.
For links to timetables and more information on other public transport to QUT,
visit www.transinfo.com.au.
Your guide For more details on student services, visit www.studentservices.qut.edu.au to student services
NOTE: Many times listed here only apply during semester, not exam periods or breaks.
Campus KEY
:GP = Gardens Point KG = Kelvin Grove Cars = Carseldine Cab = Caboolture
WHAT’S on... Athlete burnout:
just not cricket
Awards
MARCH 31
Do you know an outstanding QUT graduate? Each year the Outstanding Alumni Awards recognise alumni of QUT and its predecessor institutions for exceptional professional, academic or research achievement and contribution to the community.
Nominations close March 31. Visit www.alumni.qut.edu.au or phone 07 3138 2821.
Events
FEBRUARY 23
Brisbane residents will be the fi rst in the world to experience deep blue, a ground-breaking contemporary music event which pushes the boundaries of orchestral performance. The brainchild of QUT’s Professor Andy Arthurs and Darren Clark of Creative Media Warehouse, deep blue is on at the Playhouse QPAC at 7.30pm.
Tickets $30-$50 from www.qtix.com.au or phone 136 246.
MARCH 19
Not Just Dots: Part One - Notions of Traditional. Dr Sally Butler presents an enlightening discussion debunking myths of ‘the traditional’ and explaining why such binary categories are not applicable to Australian Indigenous art. QUT Art Museum.
6pm-7pm. Bookings on 07 3138 5370.
www.artmuseum.qut.com.
APRIL 28
The untold story of the man and his music - the Gospel According to Elvis is a musical rollercoaster ride of 19 knockout hit gospel songs performed by a seven-piece rockin’ band at the Gardens Theatre. Tickets from GardensTix on 07 3138 4455 or at [email protected]
Conferences
MARCH 12-14 The QUT-based CRC for
Construction Innovation will hold the third international construction innovation conference on the Gold Coast, demonstrating how applied research is making a diff erence in delivering social, environmental and economic benefi ts to property, design, construction and facility management fi rms, the industry and the community. Go to
www.2008conference.crcci.info MARCH 26
The 12th annual conference of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM XII) will be hosted by QUT’s School of Management in the Faculty of Business. It is the fi rst time the conference has been held in the southern hemisphere.Go to www.irspm2008.bus.qut.edu.au/or phone 07 3138 9358.
Janne Rayner (Editor) 07 3138 2361 Sandra Hutchinson 07 3138 2130 Sue Gardiner (Thurs/Fri) 07 3138 4494 Carmen Myler (Tues/Wed) 07 3138 4494 Rachael Wilson 07 3138 1150 Niki Widdowson 07 3138 1841 Erika Fish (Photography) 07 3138 5003 Marissa Hills (Advertising) 07 3138 2999 Richard de Waal (Design)
about IQ
Inside QUT is published by QUT’s Marketing and Communication Department. Our readership includes staff, students and members of the QUT community. The paper is also circulated to business, industry, government and media. Opinions expressed in Inside QUT do not necessarily represent those of the university or the editorial team.
YOUNG, elite players of team sports such as cricket, netball and hockey are more likely to be susceptible to crippling self-criticism, fear of failure and “burnout” than older elite players.
This fi nding is based on a study by QUT postgraduate psychology student Angela Christie who surveyed 84 male and female semi-elite and elite athletes, aged 18 to 33, playing at state to international level.
Ms Christie found younger players (aged 18-25), had higher levels of
“dysfunctional perfectionism” than elite participants (aged 25-33).
“The survey results showed younger athletes were more likely to hold infl exibly high standards. If they don’t meet their own standards, they tend to criticise themselves harshly,” Ms Christie said.
Research super visor Professor Kathryn Gow from QUT’s School of Psychology and Counselling, said Ms Christie’s research made an important contribution to our understanding of the pressure on athletes.
Ms Christie said the fi ndings could potentially shed light on recent discussion that elite sportspeople had lost the ethos of sport for enjoyment.
“Society expects a lot from elite athletes and so, for some, losing isn’t an option. These younger athletes were more likely to gauge their self- worth from their performance and consequently had a greater fear of failure and strove to avoid errors more than the athletes in the 25 to 33 age range.
“More research is needed to ascertain whether younger athletes will carry these qualities through to the elite level or whether the older athletes have learned to ‘lighten up’ along the way.”
Ms Christie’s study aimed to identify whether adaptive coping reduced the likelihood of burnout and if maladaptive coping increased the likelihood of burnout.
Burnout is the result of an athlete’s inability to cope or to adapt to high levels of anxiety and stress when faced with long, stressful periods during competitions and matches.
“It is a real possibility when a person’s life solely revolves around competitive sport at a high level.
“Overall, the f indings point to the need for athletes to engage in meaningful activities outside sport.”
- Niki Widdowson
Psychology
PEOPLE experiencing marriage diffi culties have almost double the chance of improving their relationship with couple therapy than if they try to sort out their diff erences by themselves.
QUT psychologist and relationship therapist Dr Matthew Bambling under took an extensive review of Australian and inter national relationship therapy research and found that couples who worked on their relationship together with a therapist had a 65 per cent chance of achieving a mutually satisfactory improvement of their relationship.
“If they don’t receive help their chance of a good outcome is only 35 per cent,” said Dr Bambling, who has had eight years’ experience in counselling couples who are in “major hot water.”
He said couple ther a py was more successful than if one person undertook counselling alone.
“It takes two to tango, so if only one person takes responsibility for the relationship and goes for counselling they might sort out some of their own problems but it won’t necessarily sort out the relationship,” he said.
“The solution to relationship problems nearly always requires both partners’ committed work in therapy.”
Dr Bambling said one of the main causes of relationship stress was unrealistic expectations and then disillusionment with what the marriage or relationship would bring.
“Some people expect their partner to make them blissfully happy all the time; others expect to be madly in love or have a high standard of living or great sex,” he said.
“Also, many couples don’t know how to communicate their needs which works against developing emotional intimacy and creates resentment through misunderstandings.
“Then there are the usual suspects of disagreement over money, time and children. Sometimes, it is just
boredom and people are not clear how to keep the spark alive.”
Dr Bambling said about 50 per cent of Australians’ fi rst marriages failed, about half of those during the fi rst seven years.
“The emotional and f inancial fallout of divorce for society is huge.
Ongoing relationship distress has serious mental health implications, such as anxiety and depression, and can even aff ect physical health by signifi cantly suppressing a person’s immune system.”
His fi ndings are published in the book, Couple Therapy in Australia.
- Niki Widdowson
Couple therapy improves relationships
Caboolture upgrade
SPORT and culture-loving students will be well catered for at QUT’s Caboolture campus when it becomes home to $410,000 worth of new facilities.
Construction of an outdoor sound shell and multi-sport facility, capable of hosting open-air performances, is expected to begin early this year.
Robot vision
QUT researcher Trevor Taylor, pictured left, has given sight to robots, bringing the sci-fi fantasy of owning robot servants one step closer to reality.
Using some clever programming and a single web cam, Mr Taylor created a robot that could navigate itself around an unfamiliar room without the use of guides or a fl oor plan.
Hands-on science
SCIENCE became a blast and a half for 130 teenagers who converged on QUT for the three-
day Siemens Science Experience last month.
Students about to begin Year 10, including Miti Mazmudar, pictured right, participated in a range of hands-on workshops.
Angela Christie
