Issue No. 35 Queensland Institute of Technology 2 George Street Brisbane Q. 4000 Telephone (07) 223 2111
Registered by Australia Post- Publication No. QBF 4778 30 April 1988
QIT helps sell s n o w to the Swiss
QIT expertise contributed to the success of an 'artificial snow' product which Australians have sold to the Swiss.
Brisbane-based company, Permasnow Australasia Ltd supplied the synthetic snow for the Swiss pavillion at Expo 88. It is being used in their 40x8 metre demonstration ski slope.
A much larger indoor ski slope in the Adelaide suburb of Thebarton has been using the polymer-based snow since January.
Before starting full-scale marketing, the company arranged an $11 200 contract with Q Search for QIT experts to undertake_
research on the formulation and properties of the new product.
The two-month contract involved mechanical engineer, Mr Chris Meeuwissen, who specialises in refrigeration, and chemistry lecturer, Dr Wes Hanna.
The team provided advice on the handling and transfer of a material whose unusual ph sicaJ propertieS made pumpmg m the normal way extremely difficult if not impossible.
"Research was done on two similar formulations to determine rheological (flow) and handling properties of the unfrozen material,
Bond University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Don Watts regards the con- ferring of university of tech- nology status on QIT as a fait accompli.
Although no name-change submission had been made to the State Government, Professor Watts extended congratulations.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony on 18 April, he said: "It is a great achievement of the Queensland Institute of Technology that it is now to be recognised in Australia as a university of tech- nology and thus to have the flexibility, autonomy and oppor- tunities that this new status will bring. It is a status well earned in the Institute's distinguished life of 23 years."
Last month, QIT Director, Dr Dennis Gibson, foreshadowed a possible move towards the title 'university of technology' by aligning the Institute's mission with that of four other Australian higher education institutions.
All, he said, either had changed, or were in the process of changing their names to universities of technology.
freezing properties, wear and compaction characteristics, move- ment on the slope, evaporating temperatures and the refrigeration capacity required," Mr Meeuwissen said.
Tests were carried out at QIT and at a small-scale testing slope set up by Permasnow Australasia Ltd.
The artificial snow is made from a polymer which expands when mixed with water to produce a thick slurry similar to newly-mixed concrete. When frozen, it keeps
• breaking up producing a snow- like, snow-white material. The slurry is spread onto an indoor ski slope which has freezing coils underneath.
To deposit the material, Mr Meeuwissen recommended an overhead rail system with a system of hoppers. To remove dirty snow and to replenish the ski slope he advised Permasnow to use manually-operated equipment.
A number of countries have shown inte~Wt.ia the product which gives ski-ing charactenstics similar to normal snow but wears better and doesn't thaw so readily.
The QIT researchers say it could make ski-ing as readily available to the general public as ice-skating, requiring similar facilities.
The institutions referred to included the former Western Australian Institute of Technology.
As director of WAIT Professor Watts was the prime mover in its becoming the 'Curtin University of Technology'. He was then its Vice-Chancellor.
STOP PRESS
Qld Premier foreshadows uni legislation
The Premier, Mr Mike Ahern, has come out in support of QIT becoming the 'Queensland University of Technology'.
A story in 'The Sunday Mail' on 1 May said the Premier would initiate the upgrading of QIT to university status:
"Mr Ahern said QIT, which has 10 500 students, bad the quality, size, reputation and growth potential to be a university.
He said the time was right for QIT, with its dual role of educating industry professionals and providing technical assistance to private enter- prise, to have its own Act of Parlia- ment to give legislative backing to its goals."
Permasnow Technical Consultant and QIT chemistry graduate, Mr Ross Harding (left) tries out an indoor ski slope with QIT staff: mechanical engineer and refrigeration specialist, Mr Chris ~uw·ss
phy#llolll-cltemitlt, Dr Welt ~
Prototype SPD automat es blood testing of new-b orn
A QIT-State Health Department team has developed a machine to facilitate the early diagnosis of dis- orders in new-born babies through blood testing.
The neonatal screening Sample Preparation Device automates the process of preparing blood samples for the screening process.
Although equipment for the actual screening is up-to-date, the Health Department has described as 'most unsatisfactory' the only machine previously available for blood sample preparation.
The design is not flexible enough to accommodate changes in labora- tory testing procedures or growth in workload ..
The screening of neonates to detect those at risk from the effects of inborn errors in metabolism is compulsory.
Currently, screening methods are available for more than 20 disorders.
And with the development of suitable diagnostic and treatment technologies for various diseases, more will be found.
However, blood preparation pro- cedures have not kept pace with the growth in screening methods.
The new Sample Preparation Device meets the needs of a modern neonatal blood screening laboratory, and the prototype has been in use at the State Health Laboratory in Brisbane since Christmas.
Dr David Nuske, of the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (left) and Mr John Edwards (Electrical and Electronic . Systems Engineering) with the sample preparation device for neonatal
blood screening tests.
It is the result of three years work by two QIT engineers and a Health Department scientist. Joint research- ers were senior lecturer in mechanical engineering, Dr David Nuske, lecturer in electronic systems engineering, Mr John Edwards, and scientist in charge of the Neonatal Screening Unit, Mr Frank Bowling.
"The existing machine is inefficient for a number of reasons, including the fact that blood samples can be lost," Dr Nuske said. "We put in a microprocessor and developed a more efficient and versatile device."
Mr Edwards saiq the machine punched out blood samples from a card and distributed them auto- matically onto test trays. At the same time it logged the donor's data and code number onto a computer data base.
Benefits included more efficient use of blood samples, reduced risks of sample loss and mixing, and relieving laboratory staff of repetitive sample preparation tasks.
Development was achieved at a cost of some $40 000, around one quarter of the real cost, Mr Ed wards estimates, because the researchers donated so much of their own time.
The Sydney-based Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation contributed
$25 000.
Q Search is now negotiating with commercial interests for manufactur- ing, marketing and world-wide distri- bution rights. It is hoped to make the gift of one of the new machines to the State Health Laboratory part of any contract.
Graduation details page 5.
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Director's comment
QIT ethic fosters conservative student body
A recent 'Courier-Mail' feature (20 April) drew attention to the conservative nature of QIT students. I agreed with the general reasons given for this conservatism, including difficult economic times and pressure of work.
However, I believe the 'Q/T ethic' a/so has contributed a great deal. QIT has never had a radical student body.
Without apology, the Institute always has demanded high standards of students.
Entry requirements such as prerequisite subjects have been applied with little flexibility and we have given little credit for previous study. We have had longer semesters and teaching weeks than the unis and
a
higher course work load.We've marked hard and only the very top graduates have been acknowledged 'with distinction'.
This hard line attitude, I believe, reflected
a
need to prove ourselves in our early days - to ensure that QIT degrees were respected by employers.In 1988, we no longer need to be defensive about the quality of our programs. We attract better quality students than most universities. The students are well motivated, and progress well through their courses; they get good jobs and are particularly well received by employers.
As these are the kinds of qualities mentioned in the Green Paper on Higher Education as being desirable (maybe even influencing fund- ing levels), I am happy for the 'QIT ethic' to prevail, but with
a
little more flexibility.Dr Dennis Gibson
QuE£NSLANDERS couLD f_E!SURE ,PURSUITS
SYNTHETIC SNOW
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BE IN FOR !VEW THE AOYENT OF
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International administration conference at Institute is
attracting top speakers
Top overseas and Australian speakers will take part in the 1988 annual conference of the Inter- national Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration.
QIT is host institute for the three- part conference in Brisbane from 4- 12 July.
Policy adopted on intellectual
Brisbane's Lord Mayor, Alderman Sallyanne Atkinson will perform the official opening on Monday, 4 July at 9am.
The conference incorporates an international symposium on Aust- ralian public sector organisation and management (7-8 July) and an inter- national forum on women in public sector administration (11-12 July).
Director of the Centre for Public Administration and Policy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Uni- versity. He will talk on 'Australian Public Administration through Foreign Eyes.'
Mr Stuart Hamilton, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will address the topic 'Restructuring of the Federal Public Service.'
property
QIT now has a formal policy on intellectual property but it is expected to be three to six months before new procedures are fully operational.
Special arrangements have been made to cover the interim period.
Q Search has responsibility for implementing and overseeing the new policy.
The term 'intellectual property' covers such things as inventions which can be patented, registrable designs, computer software, and knowledge (some of it potentially commercial) which can be legally protected.
The policy, adopted by a recent
QIT Council meeting, is a response to the growing output of intellectual property arising from Institute research and development activities.
It deals with the ownership of any intellectual property created by QIT staff and students using campus resources, the distribution of any income from this, and with approval processes.
Q Search General Manager, Mr Ray Bange, described the policy as an attempt to acknowledge and foster innovation within a framework of contractual arrangements which pro- tected the interests of QIT and its staff. In determining returns to staff, it had taken into account a wide range of policies both in Australia and overseas.
Returns to the creators are ex- pected to vary between 20 and 50 percent of the net income from intellectual policy, depending on the value of the proceeds.
Matters involving intellectual property will have to conform to either standard documentation or special contracts developed in con- sultation with Q Search for a par- ticular project.
The Institute solicitors have yet to advise on appropriate documents.
Issues being addressed are: appropri- ate forms of contract with external clients; agreements for individual staff participation; secrecy and con- fidel)tiality requirements; and dis- closure provisions.
IASJA keynote address on 4 July will be given by Dr Peter Wilenski, Secretary of the Federal Department of Transport and Communication.
His topic will be 'Social hange as a Source of Competing Values in Public Administration'.
Discussants will include Professor Gerald Caiden, Director of the Inter- national Public Administration Centre at the University of Southern California and Jean-Michel Lebreton of the International Institute of Public Administration in Paris.
Opening speaker for the public sector organisation symposium will be Professor Charles Goodsell,
The panel of speakers for the international forum on women in public sector administration will include Margaret Joan Anstee, Under Secretary General, United Nations Office, Vienna, and Justice Elizabeth vatt, President of the u ralian Law Reform Commission.
The closing address will be given by Senator Margaret Reynolds, Minister assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women and Minister for Local Government.
Further information about the conference and registration forms are available from Therese Pearce (ph 223 2802) or Denise Conroy (ph 223 2527).
QIT non-academic functions reorganised
QIT has streamlined the organis- and Grounds, Business and Campus ation of its non-academic areas, Services, Finance, Administrative grouping all departments and sections Services and Personnel.
(with the exception of the Develop- The three sections are the council ment Office, the Public Relations secretariat, student counselling centre, Office and Q Search) under two new and the health service.
divisions- the Division of Academic Q Search remains an independent Support and the Division of Central department reporting to the Deputy
Services. Director. Public Relations continues
This follows last year's academic to report to the Director, and the restructuring which upgraded former Development Office assists both the schools to faculties headed by deans. Director and Deputy Director.
Although some details are still According to Deputy Director, being finalised, the main structure Dr Tom Dixon, the reorganisation for the non-academic area reorganis- was required because of QITs growth ation is now in place. both in size and complexity.
The Division of Academic Support, The creation of two divisions will headed by Mr Tom Cochrane, the allow both the Director and the Chief Librarian, will report to the Deputy Director, when they wish, to Deputy Director. deal with heads of two broad areas As Chief Administration Officer, rather than a number of heads of the Registrar, Mr Brian Waters heads departments.
the revamped and expanded area of Dr Dixon said there was a particu- Central Services. Iar need to reorganise the financial
The structure chart shows the new area in view of the fact that some 20 'chain of command'. percent of Institute income was now The Division of Academic Support from non-government sources. Apart groups the Library, Computer Centre, from the QIT Foundation and Q CBE facility and the Academic Staff Search contributions, the Institute Development area. The new earned more than $2 million per Academic Staff Development section annum interest from investments in is independent within the Division. the short-term money market and The Division of Central Services from business operations like the comprises five departments and three Institute Bookshop.
independent sections each reporting The area of financial services has to the Chief Administration Officer been upgraded by splitting the former and Registrar. Bursar's area into Business and The departments are: Buildings Campus Services (Manager, Mr Page 2 INSIDE QIT, 29 April, 1988.
Murray Creyton) and Finance (Manager, Mr Doug Brown) Departments.
Business and Campus Services includes sections based on functional areas like the Bookshop, Cafeteria and swimming pool/ squash courts/ gymnasium complex, campus services, and security and traffic.
The Finance Manager is also designated principal accounting officer of the Institute. The functions
of the Department are grouped under financial services (including payroll, finance, purchasing, research grants, etc.) and budgets and financial planning.
Other changes include the disband- ing of ERDU and establishment of an Institute Publications Unit, answerable to the Deputy Registrar, Mr David Greenwood.
The unit will include the printing centre and the Institute photographer
QIT non-academic structure
and graphic designer from ERDU. It will be headed by a Publications Manager with editing skills. Current indications are that the location will be the library building.
Also on library premises will be the TV
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video unit to service the whole QIT community. Under School of Communication control, it will·include school staff who specialise in the audio-visual area along with former ERDU TV staff.
Deputy Director
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Q Division of Academic Support SEARCH ~ Computer Centre Academic Staff Development Director. . . . Development Office Library
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Management Services Administrative Services Dept Planning and. ~tatist_ics Student Adm1mstrat1onStudent Admissions and Services Deans of Faculties
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Administration and DesignBwld1ngs and Grounds Dept
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Construction and Maintenance Registrar and Head of Business and Campus- i
Business Und.ertakingsS . Campus Serv1ces
Division of Central Services erv1c_es Dept • Security and Traffic Council Secretariat
Counselling Centre
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Financial Services Finance Dept . Budgets and FinancialHealth Service Planning
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Health and Safety Personnel Dept---1·
Personnel ServicesStaff Development
Engineer makes final check of rollercoasters for Expo
Q IT engineering mechanics expert, Dr David Nuske has already been taken for a ride at Expo - on the rollercoaster.
But the senior lecturer from the School of Mechanical and Manu- facturing Engineering was not there for thrills - he was doing tests to ensure the future safety and comfort of other passengers.
John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd, builders of the three Expo rollercoasters, wanted a triple check on acceleration and deceleration rates of ride cars in action. Every change in direction and every change in speed involves a corresponding change in gravitational forces affect- ing passengers.
The designers, builders and oper- ators want passengers to find the rides exciting but they do not want them to be thrown around so much that it is unpleasant.
Dr uske was asked to verify by experiment the previous calculations done by the Dutch designers and State Government machinery inspectors.
For the tests, he and senior tech- nician, Mr Rowley Hinckley used a transducer (an accelerometer), special amplifiers, an FM tape recorder and a video camera, all mounted on or in the rollercoaster car.
The transducer measured acceler- ation in three dimensions and pro- duced an electrical signal which was recorded onto the reel-to-reel tape recorder. By synchronising sound and videotape, the team could deter- mine exactly where on the roller- coaster track any specific measure of acceleratwn occurred.
The QIT 'test crew' preparing equipment for a ride on one of the Expo rollercoasters, (left to right) senior technician, Mr Rowland Hinckley, senior lecturer, Dr David Nuske, and Expo Park mechanic, Mr Philip Butler.
Computer data analysis was done later in the laboratory.
The tests were done on all three rollercoasters Titan, Centrifuge and Supernova, but Dr Nuske accom- panied his equipment only on the Supernova, "the gentle, docile, one,"
he said.
Volunteers were sought for the other rides. Neither Nuske nor Hinckley went on the Titan, also known as the Boomerang because of its shape. "Not because we were afraid- because we were too busy,"
Dr Nuske said.
The project was contracted through Q Search.
Plant virus expert advises on Vanuatu coconut production
A QlT scientist recently returned from Vanuatu has recommended that the Australian Centre for Inter- national Agricultural Research con- tinue support for a big coconut virus research project there.
Government, the French coconut research station on Espiritu Santo, and the University of Adelaide.
at the end of last month included information from Australian collabor- ator in the research project, Dr John
Randels of Adelaide University. Dr Randels is the world's leading coconut virologist.
Month by month
QIT Registrar, Mr Brian Waters officially adopted Deputy Registrar, Mr David Greenwood during World Health 'No Smoking Day'.
Mr Greenwood substituted chewing gum on the day.
Despite the Registrar's paternal influence, the adoptee reverted to a delinquent smoker the very next day. However, Mr Greenwood does observe the smoking ban within QIT buildings.
It will be a case of shoot and run (but not guerilla warfare) for QIT Director, Dr Dennis Gibson when he starts the QIT to Unl. fun run on 8 May.
Both Dr Gibson and Deputy Director, Dr Tom Dixon have entered the 10 kilometre annual fun run.
Dr Gibson agreed to officiate In starting the event and later decided to run himself.
More than 300 QIT students and staff will participate In the race.
As the QIT annual report for 1987 went to press to satisfy the statutory requirement by 30 April, an award of merit was received from the Institute of Internal Auditors for the 1986 annual report.
A total of 1665 new graduates and their families attended QIT Foundation sponsored graduation dinners from 12 to 20 April at the Greek Community Centre. The dinners followed each of six graduation ceremonies at the Performing Arts Complex.
The last issue of 'Inside QIT' reported that Dr Andrew Wolanowski had been invited to list his accomplishments in the 'International Who's Who of Intellectuals'.
QIT communication lecturer, Dr Philip Neilsen also has been invited to be included in the 'International Who's Who of Intellectuals'. In fact he's become quite practised at such honours.
In 1982 he was included in the 'International Who's Who of Authors and Writers' (also published by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England), and since then, has appeared in two other publications which are perhaps more widely known. These were the Oxford Companion to Australian Literature (Oxford University Press, 1985) and just recently, Debrett's Handbook of Australia, the questionnaire for which asked those invited to list yachts and country estates owned, and Imperial Honours and Titles bestowed. "I do, of course, own a canoe", he said, "but modestly decided not to mention it."
· New information
management degree for 1989
QIT's Faculty of Information Technology plans next year to launch Australia's first Bachelor of Business -Information Management course.
The faculty says the new and rapi ly developing field of infor- mation management will offer grad u- ates many career opportunities in both government and commercial sectors.
Information management gradu- ates would be equipped to form an interface between management and computing.
Information Systems Department senior lecturer, Mr Bill Carroll, said the idea was to treat information as a resource and to teach how to manage and rationalise information processes
within an organisation. Graduates would be able to assess the benefits and economics of using information technology.
Degree subjects will cover areas from computing and marketing to the legal, political and social dimen- sions of information management.
Applicants will ne d a minimum TE score of 810 and a minimum of Sound Achievement over four semesters in English. There is no Maths requirement for the new course.
Subject to final official approval, the BBus - Information Manage- ment course will start in 1989 with 30 full-time and a similar number of part-time places. The course is three years full-time.
Further information about the course is available from Mr Bill Carroll (ph 223 2277).
Coconuts are Vanuatu's main cash crop, with copra contributing tens of millions of dollars to the country's economy each year.
Dr Dale said the research followed the failure of higher-yielding hybrid coconut varieties introduced by the French some 15 years ago.
"The exotic varieties were attacked by a leaf-hopper borne virus: a small sap-sucking insect known as Myndus taffini which lives in hibiscus around the coconut groves and feeds on the sap of hibiscus roots and coconut leaves," he said.
Architecture students go to jail
AClAR asked Dr James Dale, research director of QIT's new Centre for Molecular Biotechnology to review the project because of his expertise in plant viruses. He was assisted by Mr Mike Foale of the CSIRO's Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures at St Lucia.
They visited the Vanuatu capital Port Vila and the island of Espiritu Santo for five days from 7 March.
The coconut virus research project was set up four years ago by the federally-funded ACIAR and the Vanuatu Govemment.ltisacollabor- ative effort involving the Vanuatu
"However, research revealed that although the virus known as foliar decay affected the native Vanuatu coconut varieties, the dwarf and the tall coconut, they had total tolerance."
Research had now resulted in the production of a high-yield hybrid of the native dwarf and tall coconuts, making Vanuatu better able to compete on the world market.
The report presented to ACIAR
Forum to examine communication in the year 2000AD
QIT will host a free public forum entitled 'Communication: 2000AD' on 26 May.
A panel of national and inter- national commentators will discuss what Australians will be communicat- ing about in 10 years and how we will be doing it.
The forum is part of a national symposium being conducted at QIT from 26 to 29 May on 'Australia's
Communication Futures'. Organised by the Communication Centre, the symposium will focus on communi- cation policy, management and social issues. It is attracting a wide range of participants from around Australia and overseas.
The forum will be held at Mayne Hall, Queensland University, from 7.30pm-9.30pm. For further infor- mation, contact Tricia Deasy at QIT on (07) 223 2192.
Nine QIT students have gone to jail to get a few tips to help them in their future careers.
However, the final year students are bent on becoming architects, not arsonists.
Their four-hour visit to Boggo Road prison on 28 May was to assist them with designs for the new Borallon prison, 15 km north-west of Ipswich.
Architecture lecturer, Mr Jim Stewart, said the visit was arranged with the ready cooperation of the State Prisons and Works Depart- ments. A Works Department rep- resentative accompanied the group.
The tour, which took in the 'black hole' and six new detention cells, served a number of inter-related purposes.
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By viewing conditions in an 87- year-old institution the students gained an insight into both architec- 1%1
tural methods and the social climate in Queensland at the tum of the century.
By contrast, their Borallon designs will be based on modern ideas about correctional services.
The new jail to serve South East Queensland will cost $20-25 million and house 240 inmates.
Mr Stewart said the W arks Depart- ment had agreed to have a look at innovative ideas or designs from the students. The design projects will be completed mid-May.
QIT architecture students (left to right) Geoff Hui, Brett Hudson and John Flynn, members of the 'black hole' tour group.
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INSIDE QIT, 29 April, 1988.
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Hardness of Aust.
diamonds assessed for industrial uses
Research has begun at QIT to evaluate the industrial performance of Australian Argyle diamonds com- pared with those from Russia and South Africa.
It could show that in common with Copeton(NSW)diamonds, they are the hardest in the world, and therefore the most wear resistant.
The relatively-new Argyle mine, in West Australia's Kimberleys, is now the world's largest producer of natural rough diamonds. Until1985 the leader was Zaire, with South Africa, Russia and Botswana filling other top positions.
QIT research results may be scientific pointers to the commercial value of the Argyle product, a vital element in marketing.
Perth-based Argyle Diamond Sales Limited has put up $48 000 for the work in a 12-month contract arranged by Q Search. The company is also providing near-gem quality stones for the campus-supervised research being undertaken by Master of Engineering student, Mary Powell.
The wear resistance of Argyle diamonds alongside other-source
gems will be assessed during experi- ments for a part~cular task - diamond machining to mirror finishes. The technique has appli- cations in such areas as manufacture of high-quality metallic mirrors and contact lenses.
With split-hair accuracy required, the study will develop procedures for aligning all diamonds exactly the same way, and for photographing and measuring 'scarring' caused by wear.
The scope of the research calls for a range of expertise: Mary Powell is a chemical engineer but her super- visors, Mr Alan Crooks and Mr Andre de Jong, are from the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Physicists will help align the diamond crystal structure, and both surveying and electron micro- scopy unit advice will be sought to determine wear scarring.
Ms Powell's thesis for the MEng research will be in addition to her masters by coursework degree awarded by Queensland University last year.
Researcher, Ms Mary Powell with a model of the crystal structure of a
diamond.
Strategy will he I p create a
positive image for Logan City
The new Logan Council has taken firm steps to create a 'positive image' for the State's second largest city.
Through a QIT-inspired strategy for managing the city's physical and cultural resources, the council hopes to successfully combine conservation and development.
The project arranged through Q Search draws on studies done over a period of four years by post- graduate students and staff of QIT's Planning and Landscape Architecture Department.
Project spokesperson, Mr Darryl Low Choy, said the strategy in part, called for the development of the Logan City Trail and a conservation atlas.
"Once completed, the trail will
connect various· nodes within the city, such as the Daisy Hill State Forest which has a variety of fauna including koalas, gliders and wallabies, picnic grounds, and a vine forest nearby. Later, it can be expanded to form a network of bike, horse riding, walking and driving trails throughout the city,~ he said.
The driving circuit will be 75 kilometres, taking in historic areas, suburbia, developed recreation parks, natural vegetation, the river and agriculture.
"The trail could be used by local residents and schools, and even by businesses such as real estate agents to give customers and visitors an overview of what the city has to offer," Mr Low Choy said.
The conservation strategy recom- mends the immediate acquisition of land along the Logan River, and the rehabilitation of historical cemeteries where early pioneers were buried.
"The overall aim is to develop a positive image with tourist attrac- tions for the State's second largest
city.~
The establishment of a conser- vation atlas is already underway.
Nomination forms will soon be available to residents enabling them to suggest natural or cultural features of the city they would like to see preserved. This could include Abor- iginal sites such as bora rings and historic sites. Once recorded, they will be maintained and preserved for this and future generations.
Postgraduate student in landscape architecture, Ms Samantha Baird, points out sites along the Logan River which may be part of the Logan Trail.
Creative focus for ad. seminar
Some of Australia's top advertising executives are speaking at a series of 17 QIT-industry run seminars being held on campus this year.
The Advertising Federation of Australia's Queensland division raised
$40 000 for the seminar program which has 'creativity in advertising' as the main theme. The program is being run by the School of Communi-
cation. The QIT Foundation assisted in negotiating funds.
Most speakers are creative directors of advertising agencies or advertising service companies.
Mr Harry Ledowsky, managing director of international agency, Young and Rubicon addressed the first seminar on 13 April.
advertising strand students and staff from the School of Com~unication.
Graphic design students and staff from the Queensland College of Art also were invited.
Attendance by the QIT students is virtually compulsory: questions about the speakers and their subjects will be built into their course.
Journalism students play media in terrorist exercise
Mr Garry Murphie, of 'Grim Reaper' campaign producers, Grey Advertising, was speaker for the seminar on 27 April with 200 attend- ing. Top advertising identity Ms Elizabeth Dan gar, chief executive of Fortune Communication Holdings will talk at the II May seminar.
The seminar program is unusual in that it is an industry-funded event interfacing with a tertiary institution.
Seminars are being conducted once a fortnight this semester. Next semester they will be held on 12 consecutive Wednesday evenings from 27 July.
Foundation membership
doubles
QIT communication students played the role of the media during a counter-terrorist game in Brisbane coded 'Exercise Brass Tacks' from 22 to 25 March.
The training operation included a seige at Brisbane Airport and several bombings at the Expo site.
The aim was to exercise police, political, defense and medical personnel in dealing with potential terrorist activity in Brisbane.
It involved State and Federal Governments, Queensland Police, and Brisbane medical and hospital facilities.
Senior lecturer in journalism and organiser of the QIT news room, Dr Len Granato, said the real media could not devote the time to an exercise. Third-year students took the role.
"It was a serious game. Our
students played the media in the game," he said.
A news room command centre set up at QIT was in operation 24 hours a day. Students took on roles of journalists, editors and sub-editors.
Dr Granato said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for students:
"They were in control of the news room after the first day and per-
Department to give the government some idea of what information would be disseminated in a real situation.
Students were credited with "crack- ing the system" and getting infor- mation from unofficial sources.
Some students were arrested by police in the context of the game for being behind police lines.
Dr Granato said students would be given credit for work done during the exercise.
Coordinator, QIT advertising lecturer, Mr Vince Henderson, said executives from leading local advertis- ing companies were participating alongside second and third year
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formed extremely well.~ Staffing the news room are from left to right: Stewart Ed rich, David Sharkey, Madonna Martin, Lisa Boyle, Stories were sent to the Premier's Joanne Keune, Katie Delaney, and Robyn Ironside.
Page 4 INSIDE QIT, 29 April, 1988.
More than 140 new graduates joined the QIT Foundation following graduation ceremonies in April, 23 of whom were from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science.
While the membership is still build- ing, the figure is now twice the December 1987 total.
Assistant Dean - Development, Mr Rod Miller, said the number of new graduates joining was very promising. Based on experience of some major institutions overseas, people tended to join alumni five years or more after graduation.
The Foundation is now promoting membership more vigorously and has appointed a part-time member- ship officer. The first corporate member at the new annual sub- scription rate of$1 000 is MacDonald Wagner.
Members of the management com- mittee elected at the annual general meeting on 28 March were Mr Bill Blair (chairman), Mr Vic Pullar (vice-president), Dr Tom Dixon (secretary), Mr Doug Brown (treas- urer), Mr Kevin Davies, Dr Dennis Gibson, Mr Tom Cain, Mr Barrie Mathias and Mr Ian Cameron.
Seven top graduates receive QIT Medal
QIT's top graduates received Institute Medals at graduation cere- monies held at the Queensland Cultural Centre over five nights 12- 20 April.
• Geoffrey Pitcher,22, was awarded the Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical (first class honours). He also received the Institution of Radio and Electronics Engineers Australia Prize and the Dean's Award for Excellence, and is currently employed with Main Roads as an electrical engineer.
Soldier tops medical lab.
science degree course
More than 1500 students gradu- ated, bringing to 1740 the total for
1987, and to 19 500 the total number of graduates from QIT since it began in 1965.
The Institute Medal recognises academic excellence. Only one medal is awarded by each of the seven faculties each year where a candidate
qualifie~.
Institute medallists for students completing courses in 1987 were:
• Bob Dow, Health Science (see story this page)
• Duncan Kennedy,21, was awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science- Built Environment (with distinc- tion). He now works freelance making music videos and short films and hopes to attend the School of Cinematography in California, USA, later this year.
• Judith Miller, Law (see story this page)
• Jennifer Pratt, 22, graduated with a Bachelor of Business- Manage- ment (with distinction). She also won the Institute of Personnel Management Australia Prize, the Malcolm Moore Medallion, the Dean's Award for Excellence, and the Australian Institute ofT raining and Development Prizes. She now works with Power Brewing as Personnel Coordinator.
• Nancy Spencer, Science (see story this page)
• ClydeTorkington,20, wasawarded the Bachelor of Applied Science - Computing (with distinction) and also received the Australian Computer Society A ward and the DMR Datec Prize. He is currently employed with the Golden Casket Office as a computer systems officer.
A soldier who dropped out of school at the age of 14 has topped medical laboratory science at QIT.
Vietnam veteran, Mr Bob Dow, 37, graduated with distinction in the medical laboratory science degree on 14 April.
He was awarded the Institute Medal, the James Vincent Duhig Prize, the Michael and Elizabeth Innis Prize, the I M & M J Mackerras Prize, the Royal Pathoiogists of Australia (Qid Committee) Prize, J R Saal Prize, and the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists Prize.
Mr Dow has now received his commission as a Lieutenapt and is scientific officer in charge of the 2nd Military Hospital in Sydney.
His responsibilities include manag- ing a laboratory, quality control, haematology and microbiology.
"The hospital is similar to any hospital in a small country town but caters strictly for services personnel,"
he said.
Although Mr Dow found the course "difficult", he liked its practical orientation.
Technique to measure x-ray
dose wins masters degree
A QIT graduate has come up with a way to help doctors determine more precisely the levels of radiation to be administered to cancer sufferers.
He has established a technique for measuring doses of radiation adminis- tered to the human body using x-ray film.
Mr Nick Menzies, 27, graduated on 18 April with a Master of Applied Science - Medical Physics. The research was done as part of his final year thesis and was aimed at improv- ing existing techniques for monitoring x-ray and electron doses.
His technique has been introduced
Judge's daughter
tops 19871awdegree
A young woman whose TE score originally was too low for law studies at QIT recently graduated at the top of the class, winning the Institute Medal and four prestigious awards.
Judith Miller, 22, did the first year of an arts degree to boost her TE score for entry into QIT.
She graduated on 20 April with the Una Prentice Memorial Prize, Queensland Law Society Prize, Clarke and Kann Prize for Taxation Law and the KG Copp Memorial Prize.
While at QIT, she edited the Law Students' Association journal - Deminimus.
Currently an articled clerk in the conveyancing department of Cannan
and Peterson Solicitors, she deals with sales and purchases of land, leases and mortgages.
Judith also tutors part-time at QIT, conducting telephone tutorials in Com·mercial Law and Constitut- ional Law for external students who live as far away as Cairns.
She believes it is important to maintain an involvement in continu- ing education. "It is satisfying to be able to help students who don't have access to the same resources and facilities as full-timers. It is twice as hard for them," she said.
Judith is the daughter of Judge Miller of the Brisbane District Courts.
Her brother, John Miller is a third year law student at QIT.
Judith Miller (right) with her father, Judge Miller, and brother John Miller.
at the Queensland Radium Institute where he now works as a medical physicist.
"Cancer is treated with radiation.
We need to know whether the doses are strong enough to kill the cancer cells and the specific dose required,"
he said.
Mr Menzies designed a 'water phantom', essentially a tank filled with water which simulates the human body. X-ray film is immersed in the tank and the water is irradiated.
Once exposed, the x-ray film shows a distribution of blackness, indicating radiation dosage absorbed. The film is then scanned with a computer controlled densitometer to measure the amount of film blackened.
Mr Menzies also developed soft- ware to analyse and graphically display the data.
In the treatment of gynaecological cancers, he performs mathematical calculations to determine time periods for which radiation devices should be used.
Institute medallist, Nancy Spencer, has dispelled the myth that women are not good mathematicians.
She is the first QIT student t0 graduate with high distinctions for every subject in her degree studies.
She did the Bachelor of Applied Science - Mathematics part-time while working as a QEC electrpnics technician.
Now a QIT mathematics tutor, she is also undertaking a Master of Applied Science to equip herself for a lecturing and research career.
Nancy attributes her success to her 'Jove' of mathematics and wants to pass on her knowledge. She thinks industry should employ more mathematicians.
"There are numerous situations where more mathematically valid forecasting and prediction methods could be applied such as in determin- ing future energy," she said.
The medallist has also completed a Radio Mechanics Trade Course and an Associate Diploma in Elect- rical Engineering.
He said achieving a high TE score did not necessarily mean a student was good. (Mr Dow did not matricu- late from high school.)
"People who go back to study at a mature age can achieve a lot, particu- larly if they are prepared to work hard," he said.
Lieutenant Bob Dow
The next step in his education is to do a PhD (with a masters) at QIT when the course becomes available.
He already holds a certificate as an Army laboratory assistant and an Associate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science from QIT.
building graduates
Two 1988 QIT graduates have set up a business and completed the design documentation for a $4.5 million medical research centre to be built in Brisbane.
Greg Campbell and Bret Crowther graduated on 18 April with degrees in construction management.
Their Bellther Group (the 'Bell' from Campbell and the 'ther' from Crowther) are registered builders and project managers.
The consultancy specialises in the administration of contracts and will undertake domestic and commercial construction. Other functions include house purchase inspections and con- ciliating in contractual disputes.
Currently it employs four QIT graduates and two undergraduates, and is in the process of recruiting more staff.
Arthur Andersen awards to
three students
Three QIT students received awards totalling $2500 from Arthur Andersen and Co for academic excel- lence at a presentation just prior to April graduation ceremonies.
Third-year accountancy student, Janene Carlson was awarded $1500 and received an Arthur Andersen medal at QIT April graduation cere- monies as part of the prize.
Meritorious achievement awards of $500 each were made to health administration student, IJJana McLean and management student, Susan Jones.
The awards are made annually.
Selection is made by interview and is based on motivation, communication skills, initiative and career orientation.
The Be lither directors praised the practical contribution of part-time lecturers from ind~stry in their course.
Both Greg Campbell and Bret Crowther have been nominated for an Australian Institute of Building award for their final year theses.
Graduation prizes worth
$21 thousand
Nine new Ia w prizes were a warded at this year's QIT graduation cere- monies, bringing the total value of prizes to graduates in all faculties to over $21 000.
One ·of the largest of the new awards was the Power and Power Prize of $1000 to Nicolette Cleary for the best results in Commercial Law. Brian Fitzgerald received a similar prize for the best results in Commercial Law and Partnership.
Other new law awards included:
• The Clarke and Kann Prize of
$900 to Judith Miller, best student in Taxation Law.
• The Power and Power Prize of
$500 to Kathleen Gibbings and Kerryn Newton for the best results in Family Law.
• The Charles Seymour Memorial Prize of $500 to John Miles for the greatest contribution to the Law Faculty during the year. He was President of the Law Student's Society.
• The Rod Grant Memorial Prize of $500 to Peter Worthy for the most practical professional answer to a legal problem set by an independent panel of practitioners.
A total of 300 a wards were made at the ceremonies by professional and industry organisations.
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Coast high-rise leaks reflect building budget
Milk may be good for you, but the Queensland Milk Board wants more scientific information about just how good it is.
manganese, selenium and chromium.
The waterproof performance of many residential high-rise buildings·
on the Gold Coast relates directly to the developer's budget, according to a QIT study.
The report said that existing know- ledge and technology should allow the construction ofleak-proof, high- rise buildings even in exposed locations.
However, instead of incorporating all the known design and construction principles, designers and builders applied only those which fell within the budget sum.
The result was a group of buildings which were waterproof within a limited range of weather conditions, but which did not perform adequately when subjected to the severe weather conditions frequently experienced in exposed coastal locations.
The research was done by Mr David Shields as part of his Graduate Diploma of Architecture course, and covered a range of high-rise residential buildings erected since the 1960s.
However, the age of a building had no significant relationship to water- proof performance.
The study showed that 87 percent of existing residential high-rise build- ings had experienced water pen- etration through one or more locations. Of these, 81 percent had all or some of the leaks located and repaired.
Seventy-seven percent of those leaks re-occurred in either the same or similar locations, increasing yearly maintenance costs.
The main problems concerned sub-standard window and door assemblies, non-installation of water- proof membranes, lack of attention in detailing wall joints, and incorrect construction of cavity masonry walls.
Mr Shields said although existing regulations, statutes and codes of practice were based on minimum 'waterproofing' standards, most designers and builders had not met even minimum standards for exposed
Student models Runaway Bay sporting complex
Part-time architecture student, Megan Boyland shows her model of the proposed Runaway Bay Sports and Swim Pool Complex to fellow student, Andrew Armstrong.
The 'massing model' illustrates different heights of buildings in relationship to the site.
The new complex on a land fill site opposite the exclusive Runaway Islands estate on the Gold Coast was the subject for a student design
Research by a QIT physiology lecturer on some aspects of brain chemistry may help in the diagnosis of certain neurological disorders affecting the brain.
Dr Merv Young is spending six months PEP leave with a Queensland University Mathematics Department team which is trying to find out more about how glucose is metabolised in brain tissue.
Glucose is the brain's main energy source.
The way glucose is used by the various regions of brain of a healthy person is already known fairly well.
This seems to change with certain diseases.
To improve the accuracy of two existing techniques for measuring brain glucose utilisation, the team is attempting to determine more pre- cisely the rates of various physical and chemical processes.
The research involves making pre- dictions from mathematical models and comparing these with results of tests of actual brain activity.
"
• . '
• "''
, . •• • •
• ..
project.
The project stemmed from liaison between the successful tenderer, aerobics expert, Sue Bampton, and QIT Architecture Department lecturer, Mr Jim Stewart. Ms Hampton was looking for some impartial ideas on how to configure and design the complex.
The Gold Coast City Council approved a 30 year lease last
December.
Page 6 INSIDE QIT, 29 April, 1988.
locations. In addition, the developer, acting as vendor, was the only party with a direct contractual relationship to the eventual owner. And if the developer was aware of any water penetration problems in a building or a particular unit, he was not obliged to disclose them.
On a solution to the problem, Mr Shields said it was generally consider- ed that any extra regulation by statutory authorities related to build- ing work would be a factor in increas- ing building costs.
However, it was estimated from a test case unit block construction that adequate waterproofing would cost between $3000 and $5000 per
$100 000, which was the average cost of a typical high-rise unit.
This should not be detrimental to the economic feasibility of a develop- ment project.
The aim is to develop a community education program about how to -make the best use of milk and its products as a contribution to good nutrition.
The Board has provided $12 500 to Q IT's Department of Public Health and Nutrition to study the role of milk in helping to meet the dietary needs of different community groups for a variety of essential trace elements.
Science graduate and masters student, Joanne Pascoe is doing the research under the supervision of the department's senior research officer, Dr Carla Patterson.
The first stage of the investigation involves laboratory analyses of milk and milk products for essential trace elements, including zinc, iron, copper,
To get an overall picture of levels of the elements, milk is being obtained from different commercial outlets, from different parts of Queensland, and at different seasons of the year.
The second stage of the project will involve dietary and food usage surveys to determine how much milk and milk products people consume. From this data the actual contribution milk makes to trace element intake can be calculated for different community groups.
A previous Milk Board-funded study revealed that adolescent girls and adults in general consumed very small quantities of milk.
Dr Patterson says milk is an excellent source of some trace elements. "However because some people think it is fattening and rarely drink it they are missing out on the contribution it can make to overall dietary trace elements."
National centre needed in health economics
Australia would benefit from a national centre of health economics if its health care systems are to provide value for money, according to a world leader in the field.
Copenhagen University professor of health economics and visiting professor at the University of Aberdeen, Gavin Mooney stressed the importance of such a centre during a short stay at QIT earlier this month.
Professor Mooney,a World Health Organisation consultant, founded the University of Aberdeen's health economics research unit in 1977. He was director until 1986 .
"The sheer size of health care industries in developed countries
raises concerns about efficiency," he said. "Health economists are the experts who can ensure the best . returns for the nation's investment."
He said a number of Australian economists had specialised in the health field over the past two decades but the importance of this aspect of economics needed greater recog- nition. A national centre would be a focus for expertise and research.
The centre did not have to be large. "The important thing is a visible corporate entity which deals with health economics. It would require entrepreneurial skills to build on established expertise," Professor Mooney said.
QIT was already doing health
economics research. As well, it had the nation's largest health economics component in its health adminis- tration teaching program. This close alliance of teaching and research was a good base for future development.
Professor Mooney gave a number of lectures at QlT during a month- long Australian visit sponsored by the Australian Institution of Health.
He also had talks with fellow WHO adviser, senior lecturer, Mr Paul Hindson. Mr Hindson heads the QIT course which leads to a Bachelor of Business in Health Administration.
Professor Mooney's publications include a standard textbook for the course- "Economics, Medicine and
Health Care".
Who's WHO? Two World Health Organisation advisers meet at QIT. Copenhagen University professor of health economics, Gavin Mooney, with Mr Paul Hindson, senior lecturer in the School of Management.
Bangkok visitor for Q Search
Campus visitor, Dr Chatri Sripaipan, Director of Chula Uni- search at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok with Q Search staff:
educational services consultant, Mr Kieran O'Brien and conference organiser, Ms Donna Giard.
Chula Unisearch is his university's equivalent of Q Search, the Institute agency responsible for selling QIT expertise.
A number of Q Search missions have taken in Bangkok.
Dr Sripaipan reversed the trend and visited the Q Search off1ce earlier this month during a familiaris- ation tour to some Australian counterparts of his organisation.
One matter discussed at QIT was possible collaboration in provid- ing courses in Thailand, by having Chula Unisearch help manage courses run by Q Search.
Claire improves QIT appearance
Temporary groundsperson at QIT, Ms Claire Willcocks, is delighted with her outdoors working life.
She sees it as a "no worries" job which keeps her fit.
Ms Willcocks' qualifications for the work were a three-month introductory horticulture course and previous experience tending foot- paths and roads for the Brisbane City Council.
She says the cooperative, friendly attitude of other QIT grounds staff have helped make her job pleasant.
RSI minimised at QIT
There has been a dramatic fall (80 percent) in time lost at QIT through work-related injuries, mainly due to the virtual elimination of OOS (RSI).
OOS, or Occupational Overuse Syndrome, is the term now used to describe musculo-skeletal disorders pre1-iously known as Repetitive Strain Injury.
Time lost at work in 1987 totalled only 195 days compared with 957 for 1986.
No new cases of OOS were reported by staff last year, according to Institute Health and Safety Officer, Mr Ralph Carlisle.
"Successful management of OOS problems that a number of keyboard staff were experiencing several years ago stems from QIT's adoption in 1985 of a policy on occupational health aspects of screen-based equip- ment," he said.
"Implementation of this policy raised staff awareness of possible health problems and the need to modify work practices and organis- ation. And workstation furniture has been upgraded where warranted by the nature and intensity of the keyboard work."
Injuries arising from manual hand- ling, like back and shoulder injuries, were the biggest cause of lost time in 1987.
Some of these occurred when staff were moving heavy objects like steel plate, timber beams or furniture. In other cases, moving a relatively light object such as a personal computer aggravated a pre-existing condition.
To develop staff awareness of ways to avoid injury, training courses in back care and the health hazards of VDU's will be held regularly in the future.
Bookshop gives $100 000 toward swimming pool
Institute Bookshop manager, Mr Peter Newman (left) presented a large cheque for $100 000 to Chairman of QIT Council, Mr Vic Pullar on 21 April.
The bookshop donated $100 000 of its 1987 trading profit to the QIT Development Fund. The money will assist the development of QIT projects such as the swimming pool complex.
Mr Newman said the balance of the trading profit would be reinvested in the bookshop.
Institute Business Dean fosters overseas course credit transfer
Another major step will be taken soon in QIT's strategy for marketing its courses to full-fee paying students from South East Asia.
Faculty of Business Dean, Dr Bernie Wolff will visit Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Shen Zhen, China, in late May and early June to negotiate credit transfers and exemption policies with edu- cational institutions.
The aim is to formalise the credit transfer process so that entry by overseas students into QIT's business
undergraduate and postgraduate courses generally will not have to be negotiated on an individual basis.
Dr Wolffs visit will focus on private and church-run institutions which are not recognised universities but which provide widely recognised post-secondary education. To deter- mine appropriate credit transfer or exemption policies, Dr Wolff will visit each institution to inspect their facilities and resources.
The trip from 23 May to 7 June will also take in recognised tertiary
Brochure advises
overseas students on Australian etiquette
Overseas students are being told it is safe to drink tap water and eat uncooked food in Brisbane.
The information is contained in a 24-page QIT booklet which covers everything from accommodation to bicentenary.
Among a host of other things, the booklet advises students that
• bargaining is not the usual practice in Australian shops- the marked price should be treated as the fixed price at which the item is sold
• there are very few servants in Australia, and it is normal behav- iour for everyone to do some household chores
• people are considered equals re- gardless of gender, nationality, wealth or position
QIT students due to complete courses this year will be able to refer to a comprehensive data base of Australian employers and their specific, up-to-date graduate require- ments.
The computer listings will include information like the organisation's postal address, phone number, con- tact person and probable starting salary.
The service, expected to be avail- able by August, follows an Institute survey of some 4000 government and private sector organisations in all states.
Conducted by QIT's graduate placement service, it is thought to be one of the largest and most detailed graduate surveys ever done in Aust- ralia. It was targeted at the most likely graduate employers- organis- ations with more than 150 staff - and was designed to elicit information of specific benefit to QIT graduates.
The survey included a list of all Institute degrees and diplomas and
• hands may be used for eating at barbecues or picnics when utensils are not supplied.
The booklet, produced by Q Search who market QIT courses overseas, describes Australians as generally warm, friendly and polite people. It says an overseas student who meets someone who does not accept them because of their racial or cultural background should not think the person is typical of all Australians.
The booklet contains information on such matters as budget planning, dress codes, manners, driving, the cost of electricity, and access to QIT and community services, as well as facts on Australia and Brisbane, and World Expo 88.
Total yearly living costs are estimated at over $3000 for rent and more than $2000 for food.
asked potentia·! employers exactly what type of graduate they might be interested in at present. Other questions covered such matters as the employer's opinion of QIT gradu- ates and the Institute's graduate place- ment services, and sought views on QIT
I
industry co-operative education schemes pioneered by the Science Faculty, and on the proposed MBA program.According to QIT Graduate Place- ment Officer, Mr Mark Raguse, the survey had a number of aims and the information will have multi benefits.
"Our data base will categorise information ranging from a particular industry group or business and the professional discipline and level of qualification required, to industry, state and national trends," he said.
Mr Raguse said that besides assist- ing the current year's graduating students, data from annual surveys would assist course planners and academic staff by providing infor- mation on what particular courses were in greatest demand.
High flying optometrist revisits his Institute
QIT graduate, now well-known vision researcher, Dr Robert Hess, returned to the campus briefly this month to lecture on his special field and discuss QIT research develop- ments.
Dr Hess is a senior lecturer at Cambridge University where he is doing research in visual physiology.
He also edits the international journal 'Clinical Vision Sciences'.
He was visiting Australia for the Optometry Bicentennial Conference in Sydney.
Dr Robert Hess
institutions and talks with Australian trade commissioners in each centre.
At the invitation of a four-person delegation which visited QIT last .month, the final two days will be spent in the Chinese 'selected ,economic zone' of Shen Zhen adjacent to Hong Kong's New Territories.
The QIT business degree exemp- tion policy which should be in place for the start of the next academic year will extend the faculty's only existing agreement with overseas edu- cational organisations. QIT now belongs to the consortium of Aust- ralian business colleges, ABEC, which offers two diploma courses in South East Asia. Examination papers are set and marked by ABECin Australia and overseas students accepted for QIT courses receive subject-for- subject exemptions.
Part of Dr Wolfrs trip will be devoted to visits to ABEC teaching institutions.
QIT already has one ABEC student, Ms Tan Ah Ai from Malaysia enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Management course. She received 15 exemptions and has gone on to perform creditably in the ten subjects completed as a full-time student on campus.
Nursing seeks
overseas students
QIT is trying to attract full-fee paying Asian students to its nursing courses.
Senior lecturer in nursing studies, Ms Deanne Gaskill repre ented the Faculty of Health Science at a recent Austrade educational exhibition in Singapore.
Ms Gaskill, who is responsible for post-registration diploma courses, said she believed this was where the potential market was.
The Nursing Studies Department has had students from Singapore before, and Ms Gaskill made contact with some QIT graduates during the week in Singapore.
As well as staffing the QIT infor- mation booth with Q Search edu- cational services consultant, Mr Kieran O'Brien, she also talked to nurses from the Ministry of Health, and a number of large teaching hospitals, the Singapore Health Department and the General Hospital.
The visit was part of a two-week Q Search mission to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and for the first time, to Seoul, South Korea, for another Austrade educational display.
QlT Registrar, Mr Brian Waters who participated in the tour, said the Malaysian leg followed up approaches by Engineering Dean, Dr John Corderoy.
The Institute is investigating the possibility of an engineering 'twin- ning' program with Taylors College, Kuala Lumpur.
The proposal is for Taylors College to teach the first two years of QIT's engineering degree course under Institute supervision. Overseas stu- dents would then do third and fourth year studies in Brisbane.
Blood donors needed
The Red Cross Blood Bank will be at the Community Building, QIT on 12 May 1988.
Students and staff over 18 years who would like to give blood can do so between 9.00am-3.30pm.
For further information, contact the Health Service, ext. n21.
INSIDE QIT, 29 April, 1988. Page 7
