UQ tops Queensland in key areas in universities guide

The University of Queensland has the best overall rating of all Queensland universities and one of the best Australian university ratings in the 1999 edition of the Good Universities Guide to Australian Universities.

The University received the maximum five-star rating for prestige, student demand, research performance, gender balance, staff qualifications, and positive graduate outcomes.

"UQ is Queensland's only provider in many disciplines, and is at the top of the state's academic and student status hierarchies," the unofficial consumers' guide, edited by Dean Ashenden and Sandra Milligan, says.

"UQ has a very good graduate employment record."

The independent consumer guide, which will be launched this month in Canberra, provides ratings, rankings, comment and information about Australian higher education institutions.

Under the heading of learning support, the guide says the University of Queensland provides good student access to computers, and free student access to the Internet. It says the St Lucia library rates very well on all counts (opening hours, seating and size of collection), and includes a state-of-the-art multimedia facility.

"Special support is provided for international and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disabilities and students from disadvantaged backgrounds," the guide says.

"Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) have been introduced in first-year prerequisite subjects ranging from biochemistry to psychology."

The guide highlights a range of campus facilities and programs, including childcare centres and after-school programs.

"Of special interest to women is a women's studies course available for arts students and ?active support' for women entering non-traditional areas of study; security measures including escort services to cars and a security bus which operates on-and-off campus," the guide says.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said he was committed to providing educational opportunities equal to the world's best and welcomed benchmarking against best practice.

The Good Universities Guide had again confirmed by independent assessment that the University was one of Australia's leaders.

The guide's assessment reflected the University's track record of performance and its attractiveness to students, its first-class facilities, its exceptional research performance and the outstanding success of graduates in gaining employment and access to advanced study.

For more information, contact Professor Hay, telephone 07 3365 1300.