ISSUE NO.5
Queensland Institute of Technology, George Street, Brisbane 4000. Telephone 223 2111.APRIL, 1984
QIT b sit tion
''critical'' 1 · 986
Without any increase in new enrolments in existing courses, Qirs teaching space position will be difficult by 1985 and critical by 1986.
Describing the second, third and fourth years' "pipeline· effect" of inc- reased first year 1984 enrolments which were sought by the Federal Education Minister, Acting Deputy Director at QIT, Dr Bernie Wolff said student numbers were likely to exceed 9,000 by the end of the 1985-87 triennium.
~If people think we have teaching space problems now with 8,000 stu- dents, wait till they ee what it's like in ,.._~....,.~;,.;;;~~19;8;.6~~if we do not get add-
new law health science build:.tg was proposed by in 1982, but to date the project has been overlooked in the allocation of an inadequate funding pool for capital projects. The
building, together with an auditorium, was included in Q!Ts 1985-87 tri- ennium submission.
"What worries us most is that we were given absolutely no encourage- ment on the law/health science build- ing by AEC officials who visited campus on March 7 and funding guidelines from CTEC for the next triennium are expected in April," Dr Wolff said.
"This building is critical to the teach- ing programme for the triennium," he said. "Some additional teaching spaces could also be provided quite econom- ically with the construction of an additional wing to enclose the U of'U' Block and additional floors on '0' and 'M' Blocks."
etailed study of current excess accommodation at Qll estimates hat there is 'full to the brim' capacit; for another 480 students- half on a part- time study basis - mainly in science and engineering areas. (This refers to
Money saving solar energy design at QIT
by Kate Woods
Qirs Department of Physics has developed a solar energy concentrator, which, it is claimed, can produce greater amounts of power than other systems and dramatically reduce users' power biUs into the bargain.
The Department plans to test the commercial viability of the concent- rator, which has mainly agricultural uses, by installing it in a number of test locations.
"The project was begun in 1981, with an idea being developed in a student project by Ms Helen Chan,"
Lecturer in the Department of Physics, Dr Ian Edmonds, said.
The project team includes Dr Edmonds as project co-ordinator, fellow lecturer, Dr Jan Cowling, who handles data acquisition, Mr Brian Wheeler, from the Department's Work- shop, and Mr Len Meara, who handles the computing aspects of the project.
Solar concentrators use optical com- ponents, such as lenses and mirrors, to increase the intensity of sunlight falling on an absorber.
Higher intensities are essential in
producing heat energy at elevated temperatures (greater than 100 degrees . Celcius) or increasing the electrical
output per cell of solar cells.
Increasing the power output per- solar cell is economically attractive because the unit cost of cells is very high, despite steady decreases in price over the last I 0 years.
Economies can only be achieved if the concentrator cost per unit area is substantially less than cell cost per unit area.
The Department's design has achiev- ed economies by using water as the main component of the concentrator, Dr Edmonds explained.
The water is contained in a specially shaped thin plastic envelope, which also contains the solar cells.
"The key to this is the cheapness of using water," Dr Edmonds said.
"Solar radiation falls on top of the absorber and is then concentrated by a cylindrical water lens and mirror," he said.
This enables two and a half times
space only and does not reflect excess teaching capacity.)
But the expected increase in total student numbers for 1985 is 520, giving a space deficit of 40 students. This deficit increases to 420 in 1986 and 650 in 1987.
"Clearly, we cannot !Jl.anage without a new building, without making some harsh decisions which would be con- trary to the government's thrust for increased tertiary participation," Dr Wolff said.
The estimates were made on the basis of:
• maintaining current new enrol- ments levels over the 1985-87 tri- ennium;
• the continued phasing out of some
C011r' '
• int. duction o. tve ne 1 !- graduate and two combined degree courses which have been accepted by the AEC.
Dr Wolff said the new courses, particularly the master degree courses, would not be compromised as these were essential to sustain the momen- tum ofQIT and its course de'l!elopment programmes. Demand for the courses was strong and planning well advanced for their implementation.
"Unless the new building is comm- enced in 1985, we will have to phase out additional courses - perhaps ass- ociate diploma courses - or reduce enrolments in degree courses in areas with acute problems," Dr Wolff said.
"Other options, though undesirable, are to increase the length of the work- ing day with early morning starts and to phase out courses which are pro- fessionally necessary, but in lower demand."
The lawfhealth science building wou!c ouse the Law School and H.:::}!t Srience laboratorie~. pruvidtng space for up to 800 students at any one time and allowing the constricted lib-
Or Wolff
ary to expand to the upper floors of'V' Block.
" e will be watching for the CTEC capital funding guidelines with des- perate interest," Dr Wolff sait.l.
D~ Edmonds with the Department of Physics' new solar energy design on the roof of Q Block.
more pow.:r to be generated by the solar cells for at least eight hours per day every day of the year, than in systems without concentrators.
The cheapness of the system means it can provide electrical power at about half the cost of conventional panels.
"Since the cost of the solar energy panels for an average outback station is about $30,000, this represents a very
substantial saving," Dr Edmonds said.
One prototype has operated without maintenance for over a year on top of Q Block at QIT, however, to be commercially competitive with con- ventional panels, the system lifetime must be at least 20 years, Dr Edmonds
said. ·
As a first step to establishing life- times, it is planned to install a system at QITs Conroy's Farm at the Wiven-
hoe Dam outstation, he said.
The Physics Department recently applied for a $10,000 research grant from the State Government and also from the State Electricity Commission, in order to carry out these installations and further tests.
While these requests were unsuccess- ful, the project will continue in a modest way while funding is sought.
While there may be no direct relationship between the quaiHy of teaching and whether or not academics engage In research, It ls1 essential that academics keep abreast of the latest technology In their respective fields. We cannot afford to be equipping new graduates with outmoded skills.
Breaking new research ground Is one way of staying at the professional forefront. Engaging In advanced applied research and consulting for external organisations Is another.
With Australia's relative Isolation, It Is also Important that academics see for themselves how new techniques are applied at the leading edge of their professions through overseas visits.
The Professional Experience Programme (PEP) provides excellent Incentives for academic visits of up to six months, with travel and accommodation assistance.
PEP leave applications from staff must be encouraged so that full financial resources available for the programme are utilized for staff development rather than other purposes.
This is particularly Important with the characteristically low turnover of staff In tertiary institutions since the late sixties.
QIT Council Profile Mr Ray Ebbage
by Kate Woods A position on the QIT Coun-
cil allows Mr Ray Ebbage to
"put a bit back into the youth of
today." :..
General Manager - Financial Administration of M.I.M. Holdings Limited, Mr Ebbage has been a QIT Councillor since 1971 and is currently in his fourth four-year term.
He also holds the position of Chair- man of the Finance Committee.
"Being a Councillor is a very worth- while experience," Mr Ebbage said.
"It's rewarding to be able to give something to young people."
Mr Ebbage believes it is of great importance to have business people, like himself, as well as academics, on governing bodies of tertiary institutions such as QIT.
"You need to bring in a business influence to achieve practicality," Mr Ebbage said. "That's significant in discussions on courses and administration."
"Business has a great contribution to make to bodies such as the QIT Council."
Mr Ebbage finds his Council and Committee positions, along with his work and participation on other busi- ness and community bodies, keep him busy.
"I attend at least two meetings a month for the QIT and there's quite a deal of homework - reading papers and reports," he said.
Born in the North Queensland town of Ayr, Mr Ebbage studied at St Joseph's Christian Brothers College at Gregory Terrace.
After completing an accounting degree by correspondence, he worked in a Brisbane Chartered Accountant's office for five years.
In 1949, he joined M.I.M. in Mount
!sa, attaining the position of Group Controller in 1969, before being trans- ferred to Brisbane and asssurning his current position.
Mr Ebbage is a representative for the Australian Society of Accountants on the Australian Accounting Stand- ards Board.
The Board develops Australian accounting standards, which are issued through the Australian Society of Acc- ountants and the Institute of Chart- ered Accountants.
In 1973, Mr Ebbage was elected State President of the Australian Society of Accountants. He was a State Councillor for 15 years and a National Councillor for eight years for the Society.
Mr Ebbage is also his company's representative on the Brisbane Cham- ber of Commerce.
"This is an iTportant body, as it allows business to put its view to government and other bodies," Mr Ebbage said. "It's a role I take very seriously."
Mr Ebbage's concern with youth is reflected in his interest in schools.
was a founding member of the Parents and Friends Committees of a number of schools in both Mount Isa and Brisbane, including Gregory Terrace.
Mr Ebbage is married, with five daughters and two sons, both of whom studied accountancy at QIT.
A keen golfer and squash player, Mr Ebbage laments the fact he does not water ski as much as he used to.
He claims the distinction of being the first person to learn to ski on one ski on Lake Moondarra at Mount I sa.
He was inaugural secretary of the Mount Isa Ski Club and the Leichardt Boating Association.
• Acknowledgements
'Inside QIT is published by the Public Relations Office, QIT ('U' Block), George Street, Brisbane, Phone 223 2386. Postal address: G. P.O. Box 2434, Brisbane, 4001.
Typesetting and layout is handled hy third ) t:ar students from the Com- munication Department, Denise Raward, Kate Woods and Kate Bell.
The Department's Phototypesetter/
Demonstrator, Mr Bob Prentice, gives assistance in this area.
Photography is by Phil Keefe- Jackson from ERDU. The cartoon on this page is by Kate Bell.
Printed by Sunshine Coast News- paper Co. Pty Ltd.
Page2 INSIDE QIT,
Aprll1984.
Behind Parliament House
QIT desperate for a new b!Ji/ding to accomodate a commlttfld ~.!J
percent increas_e in studflf#t numbers during the 1985- 87 triennium.
New Depu
Qirs new Deputy Director, Dr Tom Dixon, whose appoint- ment was announced on March 16, really earned his very senior position in Queensland tertiary education.
The position did not "fall into his lap" after seventeen years progression at QIT from a lecturer in 1967 to Acting Head of School of Business Studies.
Dr Dixon was chosen from many worthy overseas and local applicants.
According to Chairman of QIT Council, Mr Ian Cameron, the selection committee was impressed with his admirable record of self development and hi> demonstrated ability to plan and implement success- ful academic programmes.
Academic planning will be the major role for the Deputy Director, as Dr Dixon sees it.
"Planning is central to the cont- inued health of any organization," he said.
"I am sure the lack of a permanent Deputy Director over about three years now has had an impact on QITs ability to plan effectively."
As a lecturer, Dr Dixon was respons- ible for the planning and introduction at QIT in 1974 of the first degree courses in Australia in advertising and public relations.
"We saw the need to provide train- ing for people who chose the verbal, as distinct from the mathematical, route
"into business," Dr Dixon said.
The courses were modelled on the American liberal arts courses, but were practically oriented and linked to
professional areas within a business school.
Professional advertising bodies and the Public Relations Institute of Australia were closely consulted on the course content.
Again due to Dr Dixon's efforts and with the support of Queensland News- papers, a journalism strand w<ts added to the communication course in 1976.
More recently he d~!veloped the course work for the Masters Degree in Business Communication approved for introduction in 1985.
Dr Dixon was, of course, a tertiary student himself and appreciates the pressures of part-time and mature age study. He matriculated from Brisbane State High School and completed his BA and B Ed part-time while work- ing as a primary then secondary, teacher.
As a father of seven, he was not deterred from spending from 1976 to mid-1978 in America completing his PhD at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York State.
"We took the three youngest with us to America and left the other four with my mother-in-law," Dr Dixon said.
"The mini-family stayed with me in a flat on campus until Christmas 1977, before returning home."
"I stayed on till May 1978 to finish, boarding with a ninety year-old lady who didn't mind driving in heavy snow and liked a whisky before tea."
Dr Dixon was appointed Head of Department of Communication in September, 1978.
He made a return PEP visit to New York in 1982 where he spent several
New Chair
The chairman of the Common- wealth Tertiary Education Commiss- ion (CTEC), Mr Keith Coughlan, will retire in June. He will be succeeded by Mr Hugh Hudson.
According to a report in 'The Aust- ralian' Higher Education Supplement (March 21) Mr Hudson is not seen to be tied to any one of the three sectors of tertiary education.
He recognizes that universities and colleges have been cut back too much and sees improving participation in tertiary education as an important challenge in the second half of the decade.
Chairman of the Advanced Educat- ion Council, Dr Stewart Houston will also retire in June.
New Council member ,
Profesor R. L. Doherty, Pro Vice- ChanceUor ofthe University of Queens- land was appointed to QIT Council, effective January 26.
Prof. Doherty occupies one of the two places on Council which are not State Government appointments.
The Education Act, 1964-1974 pro- vide~ for nomination by members of Council of two members in addition to Sta!e appointments.
NewACS President
Mr Alan Underwood, Acting Head of QITs School of Computing Stud- ies, was elected Chairman of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Computer Society at the Society's annual general meeting on February 22.
As a member of the Queensland Branch for 12 years, Mr Underwood act
10ns mcluding Vice-Chairman and con- erence orgal)izer in J 982 and ·I
months studying advertising and market research trends while working with one of the largest advertising agencies in the world.
Dr Dixon was Acting Head of School of Business Studies for nearly twelve months before accepting his new appointment.
"I was relieving Bernie Wolff while he was on leave but then Bernie was asked to sit in as Acting Deputy Director," he said.
For three years before joining QIT in 1967, Dr Dixon was Deputy Principal of Redcliffe State High School.
"I was in line for a secondary school principal appointment but chose tert- iary education because it was a real growth area," he said.
Dr Dixon
Acting Deputy Director for the past nine months, Dr Bernie Wolff resumes his permanent position of Head of School of Business Studies this month.
ew Sports Clinic for Podiatry
Establishment of a Sports Medicine Clinic within QITs Podiatry section highlights the fact that there is much more to foot care than treating in- grown toe-nails and bunions.
The new Sports Medicine Clinic is run along side the established Podiatry Clinic which treats more than 4000 patients per year.
It treats problems ranging from athletes foot to bone displacement.
"We are, in fact, involved in treating all problems of the lower limb," Senior Lecturer and Head of the Section of Podiatry, Mr Alan Crawford, said.
"Although the Sports Medicine Clinic is concerned mainly with sports- related problems, we are treating a variety of people from casual joggers to olympic athletes," he said.
The Clinics are part of a teaching programme that benefits members of the public as well as students.
There are, in fact, 38 students in the Diploma of Applied Science-Podiatry course who, with the assistance of four full-time staff members, run the Clinics.
"The students, under staff super- vision, are responsible for the initial assessment of the patients and are required to follow each case right
by Denise Raward
through the treatment," Mr Crawford said.
Although the Sports Medicine Clinic never guarantees to cure any ailments, it does aim to alleviate the problems, thereby assisting the sport- ing performances of each patient.
"There is no specific common prob- lem that we are finding in the Clinic,"
Mr Crawford said. "We examine and attend to every patient individually, with treatment which befits the high calibre of sportsmen and women who are coming to the Clinic.
As well as professional sports- persons, however, Mr Crawford has noticed a growing number of children with sports-related problems who are regularly attending the Clinic for treatment.
He believes this can be attributed to the growing competitiveness of children's sports.
"Whereas a lot of children's training programmes are properly planned and supervised, there are also a great many that expect too much of the children,"
he said.
"The win-at-all-costs attitude, which has become more readily adopted by parents and coaches, is causing child-
And the Lord Mayor proves that you don't have to be an Olympian
ren to be pushed too hard and this often causes great damage to their bodies - particularly their feet and
le~," Mr Crawford said.
He contrasted the situation to that of a race horse, where trainers realized the need for the horse to develop before training and racing it seriously.
"Children, too, need to develop physically before they can withstand such intense training," he said.
Yet, at the other extreme, the Clinic also treats a number of patients whose ailments are self-inflicted, such as some health enthusiasts who over-exert themselves in their attempts to get fit.
"We treat a lot of older people who have literally jumped onto the fitness bandwagon," Mr Crawford said.
"In most cases, these people take up jogging and often do more harm than good to their bodies, especially their limbs," he said.
Apart from the general health prob- lems, there are many other risks associated with sudden jogging stints.
"A certain level of fitness must be worked towards before someone goes jogging for long distances," Mr Crawford said.
"A lot of the problems we get in the Clinic are related to this get-fit-quick phenomenon," he said.
QITcannot be accused of not giving personal recognition to new graduates. With graduation approaching, Mary Hendrikson from the Examinations Section, has the job of personally completing, in calligraphy, the graduands certificates. Mary began writing the 1200 certificates and 200 awards at the end of January and will finish just before graduation in April. The certificates are also personally signed by the Chairman of Council, Director and Registrar.
• • •
Interest In the Legal Ptactlce
Course
continues to be strong with the forty-two enrolledstudents
split equallybetween
Queensland Universityand
QIT law gtaduates.The
one
year full-time postgtaduate course
Isan
alternative to articles of clerkship.• • •
Due to the occasional piece of falling debris from'O' Block;
one of QIT's newer buildings, the area beneath has been sealed off by an ample fence. The fence is so ample that the 'danger warning' sign has been confidently written in green rather than red to fit in with the landscaped surroundings.
• • •
Secretary
In Q/Ts Department of Accountancy, Kahren Smith, topped theGtaduate
Diploma In Secretarial StudiesCourse
at BrisbaneCollege
of Advanced Education last yearand
receiveda
book voucher prize on March 30.* * *
Coinciding with the new QIT -4EB land line, that station also increased its power output. Located next to Radio 10on the AM dial, many people are now apparently tuning in by mistake to 4EB. This has resulted in extraordinary audiences for student broadcast programmes. A recent student current affairs item on the Film Museum resulted in an overwhelming number of interested people phoning the Museum. (See story Page 6).
Graduates hold top po itions in PNG
Bachelor of Business -
Administration Course at Q IT, Warren Antonik, Brendon Coombs and Peter Kent, have scored career coups in the form of three year contracts with the Post and Telecommunications Corporation of New Guinea.
Their brief is to develop manpower planning, training and performance appraisal systems for the corporation, which is PNG's equivalent of Australia Post and Telecom.
The three 1982 graduates, who have
· only one year's experience in the Queensland workforce, left last month to take up their new positions in Boroko, Port Moresby.
Peter Kent is training co-ordinator, Brendon Coombs will manage man- power planning and organisational studies and Warren Antonik will be developing new practical applications for an existing human resource management information system.
"For fellows so recently graduated, it is a tremendous opportunity," Senior Lecturer in Q!Ts Department of
Public Administration Graduates, Peter Kent, Brendan Coombs and Warren Antonik.
Management, Dr Len Little, said.
"In a sense, they are pioneering," he said.
"They wilr be applying everything they've learnt here. Their value as employees will increase dramatically after this and they will get ahead very quickly in their chosen field."
The three have spent the year since they graduated adding to their skills and experience.
Warren Antonik worked in the Personnel Department of the Police Department, Brendon Coombs with
the Brisbane City Council and Peter Kent with Wormald Brothers.
During their three years in Papua New Guinea, they will be training and assisting local Post and Telecommunic- ations employees to develop the skills necessary to efficiently manage their
own affairs.
The living, climatic and cultural differences will require some adjust- ment initially but Warren, Brendon and Peter were very much looking forward to the challenges and respons- ibilities of their new positions.
QIT Director on new technology Council
QIT Director, Dr Dennis Gibson was named last month on the 10 member Science and Technology Council, a new advisory body established by the State Government.
The Council membership was announced on March 14 by Industry, Small Business and Technology Min- ister. Mr Ahern.
The Council comprises. lncitec Ltd.
managing director, Mr Rodney White (Chairman); G. J. Dowrie managing director, Mr Jim Dowrie; QIT director, Dr Dennis Gibson; David Hartley Developments managing director, Mr David Hartley; Commonwealth Scient- ific and Industrial Research Organ- isation tropical crops and pastures chief, Dr Ted Henzell; Queensland University pro-vice chancellor, Pro- fessor Don Nicklin; Queensland Alumina managing director, Mr Keith Petersen; science and technology cou-
sultant Mr David Thompson and energy consultant Mr Arthur Willis.
The Queensland Trades and Labor Council will also be represented.
Objectives of the Council include advice on development and applic- ation of modern technology in in- dustry, advice on improving industry's.
performance and competitiveness, co- ordination of state and federal policies on technology, creating new growth industries and reporting on training
· and education needs to support new
technologies.
Mr Ahern also announced the prop- osed establishment of an innovation centre in Brisbane "to develop innov- ations and inventions to the commerc- . ial stage."
He expects the centre will be in operation within twelve months with federal assistance.
A working party for development of a plan for a Brisbane innovation centre was formed in December 1983 by interested parties.
The group comprises representatives from the Department of Commercial and Industrial Development, the Fed- eral Department of Science and Tech- nology, the Metal Trades Industry Association, the Queensland Con- federation of Industry, the Queens- land Branch of the Inventors Associa-
,tion, consultants and tertiary
institutions.
QITs representative on the working party is Dr. Brian Thomas, Head of Department of Physics.
INSIDE QIT, Aprll1984.
Page3Grant will benefit ki s Seminars for Taxation Dept.
with cystic fi rosis
Queensland children suffering from cystic fibrosis will benefit from a grant recently awarded to a research group from QIT, the Royal Children's Hosp- ital and Queensland University.
The grant took the form of a 'Whole Body Counter',. a device used to measure potassiUm levels in the body.
The grant, worth approximately
$100.000, was given by the Queensland Children's Research Foundation and the Queensland Cystic Fibrosis Association.
The aim of the group is to prolong and improve the quality of life for children with the disease.
Group members include Dr Brian J.
Thomas, senior lecturer in medical physics at QIT, Dr Ross Shepherd, a paediatric gastroenterologist from the Royal Children's Hospital, and med- ical biochemists, Dr Graham Cooksley and Dr Leigh Ward from Queensland University.
A QIT Applied Chemistry graduate, Mr Terry Holt, is also involved in the group's work.
"The group is interested in the nutrit- ional problems of children with cystic fibrosis,H Dr Thomas said. "Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited chronic disease, occurring in approx- imately one in every 2,500 live births."
"It has a carrier incidence ofilbout
one in 25,H he said.
by Kate Woods
The disease affects the absorption of some important food products, which, in turn, affects the muscle mass of the body and results in secondary malnutrition.
The disease is characterised by pul- monary disease, pancreatic insuffic- iency, malabsorption and failure to
thrive. ·
Recent studies have shown growth factors to be a major factor in the prognosis of the disease, which curr- ently has a life expectancy into the twenties.
In diseases affecting nutrition, the assessment of muscle mass is extremely valuable, as during malnutrition, the muscle mass provides a major energy reserve for the body.
These energy reserves are catabol- ised into amino acids, which are further converted to provide glucose substrate for the brain:
The body's potassium is mainly located in the muscles and can be measured by detection of a naturally- occurring radioisotope potassium-40, using the whole body counter.
This is one of the most accurate methods of measuring muscle mass.
Furthermore, since it is not invasive·
and does not involve the administ-·
Electric summer school
Three members of QITs Depart- ution in the power system due to a ment of Electrical Engineering assisted solid state electronic drive system.
in presentation of a summer school on Other topics at the annual "up- electrical power system engineering dating" school for electrical engineers conducted by the Electricity Supply in the power supply area included Association of Australia during system planning technology, lighting
February. protection, communication systems
Lecturers, Jim Lyall, Ian Vosper and microprocessor applications.
and Head of the Department, Graham The school held at Queensland Littler were involved in the system Universitywasattendedbyaboutsixty harmonics segment of the program. engineers from throughout Australia Mr Littler held a three day study and from nearby South-East ~sian
session specifically on harmonic QWtrib> counttlt!.
Podiatry Seminar
by Kate Bell
A very successful seminar on trop- ical medicine was organized by the Podiatry Section ofthe Health Science School on March Jrd.
The seminar attracted about forty people including podiatrists, medical Ia bora tory scientists, community nurses and students and graduates of health science areas.
The seminar commenced with a lecture on dermatological problems in the tropics, presented by Dr Graeme Beardmore, consultant dermatologist.
Dr P. Prociv from the University of Queensland spoke on parasitology anri Dr Peter Debuse, Director of the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Bris- bane Children's Hospital, lectured on medicine in a tropical setting, with a fascinating insight into third world poverty.
The seminar concluded with a lec- ture on malarial vaccine development by Dr J. U pcroft from the Queensland
ln~titute of Medical Research.
Lecturer in podiatry, Linda Garbett, said the seminar aimed at broadening the horizons of podiatry and making health scientists and students more aware of climate related health problems.
"The audience was very interested and found the seminar was quite rel-
C\ ant to podiatry in Brisbane,H Linda (iarbett said. "Even though we're not rt:ally in the tropics here, there are health problems associated with Bri.,bane's climate."
Journal editor
Dr Stephen Hamnett, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plann- ing and Landscape Architecture, was recently invited to join the editorial board of 'Cities' a new quarterly inter- national journal on urban policy and planning.
'Cities' is published by Butterworth Scientific Journals Ltd.
Dr Hamnett is the sole Australian representative on the editorial board which also includes representatives from the USA, Europe, India, Africa and Hong Kong.
Noted British bridge expert visits QIT
Eminent British bridge engineer, Mr Robert Wood O.B.E., visited QJTs Department of Civil Engineering on March 27, as part of an Australian tour organised by the Institution of Engineers Australia.
Mr Wood was involved in the Forth Road, Severn and Humber Bridges in the U.K., the Rio Niteroi Bridge in Brazil and the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne.
Mr Wood spoke to third and fourth year civil engineering students and visitors on Management and Labour Relations on the Humber and West- gate Bridges.
Page4 INSIDE QIT, Aprll1984.
ration of radioactive isotopes, it is ideal for use with children.
"There is no whole body counter facility in Queensland," Dr Thomas said. "Until now, we had to take children to the Australian Atomic Energy Commission facility at Lucas Heights in Sydney.H
Pilot studies were carried out at this centre, but were limited in scope because of the expense and time involved in transporting children to Sydney.
"Even so, the results of the tests justified the need for a counter here in Brisbane,H Dr Thomas said.
Dr Brian J. Thomas
by Kate Bell Two seminars, believed to be
the first ever conducted for the Taxation Department staff by external personnel, were run last month and in January by three lecturers from QIT's Department of Accountancy.
The lecturers and experts in tax law were Peter Hanley, Greg Bitomsky and Peter Little.
The three-day seminars, held at the Australian Government Centre for senior Tax Department people, trusts and taxation of trusts from fund- amental concepts to highly technical taxation law.
"I find it's often the fundamentals that foul people up,H Mr Hanley said.
"A sound knowledge of the fundament- als of trusts aids understanding of the more technical concepts.H
Mr Hanley was approached by the
Taxa~ion Department to give the seminars.
"We were pleased to be selected,H Mr Hanley said. "A Tax Department official said that we were the first non- departmental personnel conducting a staff training program in Queensland;
possibly Australia.H
Mr Hanley has 25 years of relevant experience behind him. He has owned a business, worked for solicitors and chartered accountants and in tax consulting.
Mr Bitomsky, a senior lecturer, holds an honours degree in Laws and has considerable consultancy experience.
Mr Little is a Barrister-at-Law.
The seminars examined
• the principal requirements of a valid trust
• the types of trusts that exist
• the powers, duties and rights of those involved
• the uses and abuses of trusts
• the winding up of trusts
• trusts and application of the Income Tax Assessment Act and other rel- evant Acts.
An evaluation of the first seminar showed that ninety seven percent of the fifty-eight participants considered the lecturers' knowledge to be above average or excellent.
A continuing program of seminars may be developed according to Mr Hapley.
"The Department seems fairly happy with us so far,H he said.
: speakers highlight
~ government's role in science &technology
by Kate Woods
udents in the new manage- ment subject at QIT, 'Tech- nology in Business' received some valuable information about government assistance available for Queensland tech- nology and innovation at one of their first lectures this semester.
Guest speakers were Assistant Director (Industry) of the Department of Commercial and Industrial Develop ment, Mr Graham Baker, and Acting Director of the Federal Department of Science and Technology,, Mr Frank Brand.
Discussing the State Government's science and technology role, Mr Baker said policies were based on the assump- tion that there would be an economic result at the end of any research and development undertaken.
"If an innovation has no immediate potential commercial value, then we don't waste resources on it,H he said.
The government was aware that it had to provide the infrastructure for technological development and follow
Mr Baker
Acting Director of the Federal Department of Science and Technology, Mr Frank Brand speaks to students in 'Technology in Business.' this up by encouraging inventors to
look at the marketing considerations involved in research, Mr Baker said.
Australians, although good invent- ors, were reluctant to market their inventions, he said.
"The government is developing science parks to provide an infra- structure for technological develop- ment and also a place for people to get together ,H he said. "Innovation centres fulfil a similar role, in divulging infor- mation to individual inventors and companies.H
A series of lectures and seminars by overseas experts in technological inno- vation was also being considered, Mr Baker said.
At the Federal level, Mr Brand high- lighted the government's attitudes to science and technology, as applied through the policies and actions of the Department of Science and Technology.
"'
Under the Department, the Aust- ralian Industrial Research and Develop- ments Incentives Board (AIRDIB) provides grants and other forms of assistance to developers, both indiv- idual and corporate.
Grants vary up to $40,000 over five years for individual inventors, and
$75,000 a year for large companies.
Money is also given to schemes which will be able to command wide- spread public support.
Both speakers agreed on the wealth of valuable information in the country's tertiary institutions and supported government grants to universities and colleges of advanced education, for research and technological development.
Mr Brand mentioned the Ultrasonic Breastscanner patented by a research group at QIT as an example of the great contributions tertiary institutions can make to research and to society.
FEATURES
Pam plays lead role 1n • Hedda Gabler
by Kate Woods Lecturer in Sociology in
QIT's Department of Comm- unication, Ms Pam Byde, is playing the lead role in the Brisbane Arts Theatre's latest production, 'Hedda ·Gabler'.
Ms Byde plays the title role in Ibsen's classic examination of women's roles at the turn of the century.
Although a keen member of the Arts Theatre for years, this is Ms Byde's first speaking role since she joined the Communication Depart- ment in 1980.
Evening lecture commitments in the past prevented her from acting with the theatre.
This semester she has no evening lectures to deliver, so is able to take on the role of Hedda Gabler without
"skipping lectures".
"I have played one other role since I came here- as a corpse," Ms Byde said.
"The corpse didn't have to be on stage unti19.30, which gave me time to make it to the theatre, be made up and fall out of a cupboard," she said.
'Hedda Gabler' had its opening night on March 29. The season extends for six weeks.
The drama is being directed by Fred Wessley, who believes in the principles of the 'Method School' of acting. This involves the actors discussing their roles and really 'getting a feel' for their -characters.
Although the play is set in Norway in the 1890's, the set design will not reflect this.
"It's a very stark design, because we don't want it to overpower the story of Hedda," Ms Byde said. "It will be a symbolic representation of the prison of Hedda's marriage."
In contrast to the set, the characters' costumes will be in full Edwardian resplendence.
Ms Byde's acting interests go back to her student days, when she trained .to teach drama, before switching her interests to sociology.
She retained her enthusiasm through her work at the Brisbane Arts Theatre.
A number of roles, including the
QIT on a1r •
by Kate Bell
On March 9th, QIT broad- cast live for the first time from campus through Radio 4EB.
The media laboratory in the Depart- ment of Communication was success- fully connected with Radio 4EB's studio in West End by a land line.
Journalism lecturer, Ms Val French, said the final assurance that the connection was working came when a broadcast student left it too late to rush a last minute story over to 4EB.
"We rang up the station and said we
were broadcasting from QIT," Ms French said chuckling. "The news read- er over there at first wondered how."
The land line tested successfully and now journalism students are putting current affairs programs to air on 4EB direct from the QIT studio twice weekly.
The students have been writing and presenting current affairs on 4EB since the multi-cultural station first went to air four years ago.
"We see the association as a very valuable and healthy one," said 4EB's Station Manager, Mr Greg Marsh.
"The new land line helps to tighten the knot - like an umbilical cord."
Mr Marsh says the attachment to· QIT's large media laboratory extends 4EB's studio facilities for special events such as fund-raising radiothons and live music broadcasts.
"It gives journalism students another dimension to broadcasting," Mr Marsh said. "That is, . broadcasting from a location other than the studio and the associated production difficulties of broadcasting programs on line."
The bi-weekly current affairs prog- ram,' In Focus', is produced and put to air by second year journalism students.
During semester breaks, a docu- mentary program replaces 'In Focus'.
"These segments are not so timely so we call them 'Out of Focus' " Mrs French said.
The nightly 4EB 'Newsworld', writ- ten and read by students since last year, will continue to be broadcast from the studio at West End.
Ms French said that this was more practical because the 4EB studio would soon be connected to nine foreign wire services by a new teleprinter.
Communication students, Linda Carroli and Ross Gardiner working from the QIT studio for Radio 4EB.
Pam Byde and Ross Combs, of the Arts Theatre, rehearse their roles as Hedda Gabler and Eilert Lovborg, respectively. Hedda Gabler will run for six weeks from March 29.
lead in Agatha Christie's 'Witness for the Prosecution and roles in 'What the Butler saw' and 'Bequest to the Nation', among others, have come her way during her years with this group.
Ms Byde also directed 'Caroline' for
the Arts Theatre last year, in which a number of QIT students had roles.
Apart from being a source of talent, the Dapartment of Communication has other links with the Brisbane Arts
Theatre.
Communication students have carried out audience research and publicity campaigns for the group.
"The Arts Theatre always has room for recruits," Ms Byde said.
QIT geologists conduct soi I research study
A new research unit was recently established in QIT's Department of Applied Geol- ogy to centralize multidisciplin- ary research projects in the area of sedimentology.
The Applied Sedimentology and Environmental Geology Research Unit (ASEGRU) was designed to better
· integrate resources in this area for a number of consulting projects iuvolv- ing Dr Aro A rake!, including a major study at the site of the new Brisbane Airport.
ASEGRU is supervised by Dr Arakel and Mr Bill Ridley from Applied Geology, and Dr Ray Frost and Dr Serge Kokot from the Chem- istry Department. It facilitates after hours access to sophisticated campus equipment such as Q-Mass and the NMR Centre, without encroaching on teaching time.
"There is a definite need for a more co-ordinated approach to applied research," Dr Arakel said. "The lack of time, space and administrative support are major problems."
Dr Arakel, a lecturer is sediment- ology and petroleum geology, stresses the importance of advanced applied research in maintaining a high standard of teaching and close links with industry. He also believes in involving students in his research activities for
"valuable field experience and pocket money".
The Brisbane Airport project, under- taken on behalf of the Department of Housing and Construction in collabor- ation with external sub-consultants, involved identification of the sources, processes and magnitude of sediment deposits in an artificial flood way near the site of the new runway.
air ort
The project was supervised by Dr A rake! and fellow lecturer, Bill Ridley, undertook a major hydrochemical investigation of the airport flood- plain. Sixteen students were involved on a part time basis.
"A Queensland University Civil Engineering model initially indicated a certain degree of sediment would be deposited in the channel," Dr Arakel said. "But you can't verify the types and sources of sediment from models."
"Our role was to establish the sources and extent of sediment input so that future maintenance programs can be developed for the area."
The geologists carried out coring and sampling of the flood way bed and in the upper catchment reaches of the nearby Kedron Brook, using vibro- coring, tapping and diver-operated recovery techniques.
The samples were split and drained in the laboratory and photographed, logged and analysed for determination of their textual and compositional characteristics.
This was followed by a hydrogeo-- chemical investigation of the flood- plain area and detailed sediment- ological analyses of the sample material.
The hydrogeochemical part of the study involved selected water sampling and short-term monitoring of ground- water. A custom-built, multi- functional probing and water-sampling device was used to collect the water samples, which were then filtered and submitted for trace element analysis.
Finally, the regional geology and surface physical features of the bed- rock in the Kedron·Brook catchment area were studied in order to under- stand the relationship between bedrock geology and sediment/ soil distribution
patterns in and around the catchment channels.
Results of the study and recommend- ations are confidential.
Dr A rake! completed his PhD at the University of Western Australia _in 1979 and was a research fellow in environment geology at Murdoch University. He was a visiting lecturer at Bologna University in Italy, UCLA and Imperial College in 1981 and an exploration geologist and consultant before joining QIT in 1982.
Dr Arakel is involved in a number of other research projects currently, including an investigation of geo- technical characteristics of silicified overburden deposits in South Blackwater coal mining areas.
Through ASEGRU, he expects to begin shortly on an environmental study of oil shale waste material as a joint project between Applied Geology and Chemistry Departments at QIT and a researcher from Murdoch University, W.A.
Dr Arakel
INSIDE QIT,
Aprll1984.
PageSEngineer calls fo more funding
While politicians are espous- ing the virtues of a higher tech- nological base for local manufac- turing industries to preserve some trade balance, those who can help make it happen - engineering and computer science areas in tertiary institut- ions - are being slowly starved, according to Dr John Corderoy, recently appointed Head of Queensland's largest School of Engineering at QIT.
Dr Corderoy's comments were in support of a "Statement on National Technology Policy" (SNTP) just re- leased by the Institution of Engineers, Australia.
The SNTP states: "any programmes for the expansion of technical capabil- ity will require a significant increase in the number of engineers and tech- nicians employed in the manufacturing industry and it is questionable whether our present education system is capable of producing the required results ... Over the past several years, our eng- ineering schools have suffered possibly the most severe cutbacks in funding
within tertiary institutions."
The SNTP recommends reductions in engineering staff/ student ratios and sharp increases in equipment funding.
Dr Corderoy said that in order for new graduates to have immediate , impact on technology and the eco- nomy, it was essential for students to have access to the very latest equipment in their training. Increasing technical specialization required more individual tuition.
On research, the SNTP noted that many companies were ignoring poss- ible financial risks of local technology and "buying in" equipment. This, it said, was a short-term view and would reduce Australia to the status of an agricultural and mining slave nation with no national creativity.
Queensland was moving in the right direction with the proposed establish- ment of a technology park, Dr Corderoy said.
"There are plenty of people out there with ideas and products which can be turned into marketable products and processes," he said. "But tertiary institutions need seed funding for applied research in areas of computer
QITproduct
design exhibit
Designs and prototypes of products to aid handicapped people were among an impressive array of product and design ideas on display at the Fourth Product Design Exhibition at QIT from March 14- 30.
The annual display of work by industrial design students included a crawling frame for severely handi- capped infants, a computerised braille .
wn ai an electric activity board to facilitate arm movement and co- ordination and a multipurpose seat/- voluntary aid for handicapped children.
Exhibition co-ordinator and Senior
Lecturer in QITs Department of Chemistry, Mr Rowley Noakes, was awarded a certificate on March 12 from the Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Math- ematics Educators (CASTME).
The certificate recognized an Austral-1 ian Development Assistance Bureau , sponsored course at Q IT organized by ' Mr Noakes in 1982 for twenty five trainees from the RAM U Sugar Refinery in Papua New Guinea.
The CASTME awards encourage teaching of social aspects of science, technology and maths, with particular reference to developing countries of the Commonwealth.
Lecturer in Industrial Design, Ms Vesna Popovic, said many of the projects were undertaken on behalf of client organisations and some of the more innovative ideas were patented.
Some of the other projects included ergonomic evaluations of working environments for bus drivers and com- puter operators, modular street furn- iture systems and signing of buildings.
The display was inspected by several hundred students, staff and external people.
The crawling frame (pictured) was designed by David McCracken for the Mount Gravatt-Holland Park Comm- unity Youth Support Sceme.
Mr Noakes Page6 INSIDE QIT, Aprll1984.
aided design and manufacturing, robotics, flexible manufacturing systems and artificial intelligence."
"Once we get started, industry will see the benefits and be more willing to contribute to research and develop- ment," he said.
Properly "seeded" with adequate staff and state of the art equipment, Queensland's tertiary institutions would be well placed to provide essential backing to fledgling industries in the technology park environment, Dr Corderoy said.
Dr Corderoy
Brazilian visitor
As part of an Australian tour to develop research links, Professor J. de Marias, Director of Marine Science Laboratories at the Federal University of Cerea, Brazil, visited QIT
During his stay at QIT, Prof. de Marias sopke to staff in Applied Geology and Biology Departments regarding the possibility of developing joint research programmes and staff exchanges. Staff interested in research (on a study leave basis) and lecturing (for short courses) in coastal man· e- ment fields in Brazil in 1985, may contact Dr Arakel for information.
31 Research Applications
Thirty-one applications totalling
$162,000 were lodged for 1984 QIT Research and Development Support Grants.
The R & D Support Committee is faced with the daunting task of selecting applications to the total value of approximately $20,000 from amongst this number. (The grants available in a full year are likely to total about twice this amount under new funding arrangements).
A preliminary selection has been made and eighteen applications remain for further consideration. These applications are now being assessed for technical merit and the Committee hopes to finalise its recommendations at a meeting to be held in April.
Books hop
Man~ger
Mr Ian Campbell, QITs Senior Systems Auditor is currently care- taking the Bookshop Manager position.
This advice should benefit the multi- tudes apparently trying to contact Mr Campbell in Systems Audit.
The position is responsible to the Bursar for the management and oper- ation of the Institute Bookshop and the College Bookstores which are operated on behalf of the Brisbane Colleges of Advanced Education at the four BCAE campuses.
Text ok
success for QIT authors
A new major text 'Company Accounting in Australia,' written by Q IT staff and published in Brisbane, is being readily adopted by accounting courses in universities and colleges throughout Australia.
The 730 page text was written by QIT Accounting lecturer, Ken Leo, and senior lecturer, John Haggett, and published by John Wiley and Sons in time for commencement of the aca- demic year.
According to the authors, the book was designed for teaching of basic elements of company accounting with some emphasis on preparation of annual reports and consolidated statements.
The new book takes account of
rec~nt changes in accounting standards
and company law and provides consid- erable explanation in areas such as tax effect accounting.
"It was a straight write from the
word go," Mr Leo said. "On top of normal workload, writing, which was done mostly at night, weekends and semester breaks, took us twelve months."
A leading academic on company accounting in Australia, Mr Leo is. currently writing a discussion paper on 'Consolidated Statements' under con- tract to the Australian Accounting Research Foundation.
This follows a three month second- ment to the Foundation late last year writing a 'Business Combinations' monograph.
Authors Mr John Hogget and Mr Ken Leo, with Mr L/ew Edwards, Head of the Department of Accountancy.
QIT Business spice to local
company
byRayLinderbergRecommendations in a 'photocopy paper' market re- search report by QIT students last year for Spicers Paper Ind- ustries, which proved "very valid" in local market testing, were recently adopted nation- ally by the company.
Spicers, a James Hardie subsidiary and national leader in the paper dist- ribution industry, cooperated with the Department of Management by assign- ing the student group project in the subject Marketing Research Projects .
Supervised by Senior Lecturer, Mr Reg Hardman, the final year students -Tom Conn, Rod Lam, Peter Lang- ley, Brett Salisbury and Sue Trewin - dealt specifically with the photocopy paper market in the private sector in Brisbane.
The project, conducted over three months, involved the students in gather- ing information through the use of questionnaires, collating and process- ing the data on the SPSS computer package available at QIT and prepar- ing the report.
Queensland State Manager of Spicers, Mr John Knight, said the students' report was entirely helpful and identified a number of key areas of marketing strategy.
"We did test their theories at a Queensland level on the conclusions that the report drew, and we have found them very valid," Mr Knight said.
"They have, since then, been circ- ulated nationally and our company is' operating in line with the basic philos-:
ophy that they concluded with - and· successfully," he said.
According to Mr Knight, Spicers were in a position where they could' investigate new markets.
"The project highlighted in our eyes, not only that the market was there and available to us, but how to tackle it,"
he said.
Mr Knight commented that he thought the standard of the students' work was very good.
"As a team they worked comfortably together, and thoughtfully drew their conclusions after doing some field work that was extremely valid," he said.
There are usually about seven groups of students in each class of 'Marketing Research Projects' and Mr Hardman is available to them every week on a consulting basis.
"The practical approach to this sub- ject, after a grounding in theory, gives the students experience at working in a team, learning to mee~ a deadline and generally develops their managerial skills," Mr Hardman said.
This year another group of QIT management students is working with Spicers on a project in a completely different area.
"We hope it will suit QIT, and work to both groups' mutual gain," Mr Knight said.
