Along with the Gardens Theater and the QUT Art Museum, Old Government House forms an integral part of QUT's Cultural Zone, which in 2002 attracted more than 80 000 visitors. In 2002, QUT, in partnership with TAFE's Brisbane Northpoint Institute and Caboolture Shire Council, established a community campus in Caboolture. Progress in 2002 towards achieving the objectives of the University's Teaching and Learning Plan is detailed below.
QUT provided a wide range of development activities for staff and students in the area of teaching and learning in 2002. The Faculty of Education was assigned in 2002 to redesign the Bachelor of Education to emphasize professional learning outcomes, particularly through the reconceptualization of assessment practices. In 2002, the Faculty of Natural Sciences worked on a project to improve information literacy, in collaboration with staff from the Library and a secondment from Teaching and Learning Support Services.
QUT continued its innovative approach to education technology in 2002 with the launch of a range of online music tools. QUT was the university of choice for Queensland students recording the highest number of first preference applications for admission in 2003 through QTAC in 2002.
Research
In late 2002, QUT was named as home to two new CRCs, one in engineering asset management and one in interaction design. The CRC for Engineering Asset Management will lead new research to maintain Australia's physical infrastructure for the defence, process, rail, water and electricity industries. In 2002, QUT remained a partner in CRCs for enterprise distributed systems technology, rail technology, eye research, renewable energy and satellite systems.
In 2002 QUT introduced a number of initiatives designed to position the University as a leader in the quality of research training. In collaboration with its ATN partners, QUT collaborated on LEAP (Learning Employability Skills Programme), connecting QUT research students with their colleagues at a national level. Focus on the Gardens Point campus to provide a one-stop service for graduate students.
QUT continued to establish strategic research partnerships with leading overseas institutions, notably with the launch in 2002 of an International Doctoral Scholarship Scheme. The scheme is expected to double the number of international research students at QUT over the next three years.
Community service
A dozen teenage mothers and their babies were funded to attend weekly sessions at the Gerald Ashby Family Center to access support and guidance from qualified early childhood staff. Improving the service delivery of the Refugee Claimants Support Center to Brisbane-based refugees on bridging visas. The review noted that QUT had much to be happy about in its pursuit of internationalisation.
The successful pursuit of a comprehensive international agenda has the potential to achieve far-reaching and positive effects on the quality of experience enjoyed by students and staff as well as for these communities and the University's stakeholders. The review found that QUT is well placed to take advantage of a richer international program and to manage the associated risks well. QUT hosted 112 exchange students and 107 QUT students took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad.
These QUT students were supported by 10 travel grants and 10 international exchange grants provided by the university. QUT students have also received scholarships totaling more than $60 000 under the University Mobility Asia Pacific Program (UMAP) to study in the US, Canada, Singapore, China and Malaysia.
Resources
During 2002, QUT's income from sources other than the Commonwealth Government (which includes HECS and PELS) increased by $27.4 million or 14.8 per cent to $212.3 million. The University Workforce Plan was implemented in 2002 and faculty and departmental position profiles were adjusted in response to the outcomes of the 2001 strategic planning and budgeting round. Decisions on funding were linked to the University's strategic priorities in the areas of teaching and learning, research and community service and were documented in the University's asset management plan.
An internal audit of the project portfolio reporting mechanisms recommended a review of the University's project management framework. The review aims to develop a robust and accountable project methodology to support the University's allocation of resources to information technology development. A new system called Research Master has been implemented to manage the University portfolio, including the research training scheme.
During 2002, the university spent $31.7 million on capital projects (including $20.2 million on major projects), approx. $3 million on the deferred maintenance program and $2.2 million for minor construction projects. QUT and the Queensland Government are jointly developing the combined education, residential and commercial precinct on a site adjacent to the university's Kelvin Grove campus.
Technology
In 2002, QUT became the first Queensland university to connect to the national GrangeNet network when it launched an Access Grid Node, jointly funded by the University and the Queensland Parallel Supercomputing Foundation. As a result, student access from home or work to the full range of library and other teaching resources has become more reliable. QUT, with support from industry and government partners, delivered significant improvement in the technology backbone of the University in 2002.
Government Information Economy Minister Paul Lucas launched a high-performance dark fiber link between the Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses. QUT, with support from the Queensland Parallel Supercomputing Foundation, connected to a new superfast Australian network, GrangeNet, which delivers excellent bandwidth for high-end video conferencing.
Student support, staff and equity
The health and safety self-assessment audit was repeated across the university in 2002, with the addition of in-depth questions relating to laboratory safety and plant and equipment safety. In addition, a new position has been created to further promote the safe management of pathological organisms and chemicals within the university. Exceptional service, innovation and initiative from staff were recognized by the University through Outstanding Contribution Awards.
During 2002, good progress was made on the three priority areas of the University's Equity Plan—student poverty, cultural diversity and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Across the University in 2002, almost 100 bursaries were made available to low-income students, as well as dozens of vouchers, photocopy cards and other support measures. The University hopes that this systematic approach to partnerships with indigenous communities will be a long-term strategy for both organizations.
The university strives to embed equity practices and philosophies in all its core activities. The percentage of students from equity groups enrolling at university increased, especially for students from non-English speaking backgrounds and Indigenous students.
Academic leadership
The following aspects of the University's activities provide critical support to the Council in its pursuit of good governance. In 2002, the division also assisted in the development of a business risk management framework and a corruption prevention strategy. The guidelines describe the University's expectations of Councilors and are designed to help them meet them.
The Register of Disclosed Interests was established in 2002 to help Council members identify in advance interests that might conflict with those of the University. The University also has specific policies regarding conflicts of interest related to research activities and gifts. The University's Animal Ethics Committee, established in accordance with appropriate state law and national protocols, reviews all teaching and research activities involving animals.
The University Human Research Ethics Committee, established in accordance with appropriate national protocols, reviews all research involving human subjects. The university's biosafety committee ensures that the activity in question complies with the requirements of the national gene technology regulator.
Governance
In early 2002, members met for a weekend orientation program focusing on the council's governance and leadership role at the university, including assessment of the council's performance. The QUT Code of Conduct – Guidelines for Ethical Conduct 1998 outlines the ethical obligations of all staff and officers, including members of Council. Nominated by the director general for education Mr. N Whittaker, BComm JCU, CertCivEng QIT Assistant Director General, Education Queensland Nominee to Council.
Vice Chancellor and Council candidate Dr. DF McTaggart, BEc ANU, MA PhD Chicago, FAICD, FAIM. The Council has established a number of committees, described below, to assist in overseeing the various activities of the University. The Audit Committee acts on behalf of the Council on audit-related matters and advises the Council, and the Vice-Chancellor as responsible officer, on the performance or discharge of functions and duties under the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977, the Financial Management Standard 1997 and the Internal Audit Charter from the university.
Academic Policy and Procedures (reports by Ms L Wiseman, Deputy Chair of UAB and University Academic Council) member of the Council. Planning and Resources Committee Dr D McTaggart, member of Council QUT Development Council Mr K Hilless, member of Council.
Financial summary
1 Other income consists of other research grants and contracts, scholarships and awards, grants and elections, investment income, the Postgraduate Education Loan Scheme and sales. 2 Other expenses consist of general and administrative expenses, library purchases, scholarships and awards, and sales costs. In accordance with the Queensland University of Technology Act 1998 and the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977-1991, QUT is required to submit this report to the Queensland Minister for Education.
It also gives QUT the opportunity to communicate its achievements and activities in 2002 against its mission, corporate goals (teaching, research and community service) and university-level plans that turn the Strategic Plan into action. The report aims to raise awareness of QUT's role and activities, demonstrate the effective use of public resources and meet its financial reporting requirements to the Minister. Potential readers include students, staff and alumni, donors and partners, members of the business and education communities, media representatives, government leaders and the international community.
The following agencies are audited by the University and, where appropriate, audited by the Queensland Audit Office. QUT Enterprise Holdings Trust was established in August 2002 to further the objectives of the University. A full description of the functions and financial reporting arrangements for entities controlled by QUT can be found on page 45 of Part Two of the Annual Report.
