UQ Ipswich opens its doors

UQ Ipswich opens its doors

Australia's newest university campus, the University of Queensland's heritage and high-tech UQ Ipswich, will welcome its first students for orientation next week and for classes starting on February 22.

The University will welcome 520 students this year to its UQ Ipswich campus, including about 400 people on campus and a further 120 UQ students at Bremer TAFE who can access facilities at UQ Ipswich.

Although UQ Ipswich will be the latest addition to Australia's tertiary education sector, it will be an integral part of the State's oldest and most prestigious university, the 1998-1999 Australian University of the Year, the University of Queensland.

UQ Ipswich will also start with much higher numbers than the University of Queensland itself which started teaching in 1911 with fewer than 100 students.

The 1999 UQ Ipswich cohort is expected to attend Orientation Week activities commencing Monday, February 15 at the campus in Salisbury Road, Ipswich, with the main Orientation welcome on Tuesday, February 16 at 10am in a marquee on the oval.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Trevor Grigg and Student Union president Matthew Carter will speak at the February 16 event.

"It's a rare event in a University's history that it has the chance to develop a new campus from scratch," Professor Grigg said.

"The University has had few such opportunities in its 89-year history so we are very excited at the prospect of UQ Ipswich opening to serve a new generation of students.

"We have a beautiful campus, state-of-the-art courses and facilities, and highly trained staff waiting to welcome them.

"The University is pleased with the level of interest in its degree programs and this is reflected in the enrolment levels and acceptance of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre offers.

"Both Year 12 and mature aged students have been attracted to courses. We are pleased that interest has been demonstrated across all degree programs, and students who have been offered places have demonstrated academic achievement and the potential to succeed in university studies.

"This is a new facility and we will make every effort in the next few months to encourage people in the region to visit the campus and contemplate studying with us. A mid-year intake will facilitate that opportunity."

The 25-hectare campus, which is 1.4km from the Ipswich city centre, has a history dating from 1878, with 17 buildings heritage-listed.

In just 10 months since the start of construction, the University has completed the $17 million stage one of the facility, which is expected to become an important social, cultural and educational resource for Queensland.

Courses to be offered at UQ Ipswich from 1999 include the bachelor of information environments; bachelor of electronic commerce; bachelor of business (communication); bachelor of contemporary studies; bachelor of social science (in applied communication and development studies); bachelor of education (graduate entry). A bachelor of behavioural studies degree will be offered from the year 2000.

The first cluster of buildings house academic and shared teaching space, the Learning Resources Development Unit, library, one-stop student centre, administrative areas, health service, student union, and other support services.

Work on stage two, due for completion in February 2000, will commence in early April. This will develop buildings in the campus centre and create a "village" to serve as the social and administrative heart of the campus, which is expected to accommodate 2500 students by 2001.

"In developing UQ Ipswich, the University of Queensland is doing much more than establishing a traditional university campus where students are taught in lectures held in set rooms at set times," Professor Grigg said.

"Instead, UQ Ipswich will be a state-of-the-art flexible delivery centre using the very latest technology, where students can pace themselves and choose different ways of learning. Small groups will interact, using learning methods including face-to-face teaching, the Internet, interactive videos and telephone tutorials."

UQ Ipswich is linked to other parts of the University by a broad-band microwave network, enabling staff and students to share knowledge through new technologies, he said.

Planned UQ Ipswich Orientation activities range from formal academic functions to a market day, special course days and cultural events.

On Monday, February 15, 30-minute tours of the Student Centre and campus will leave Building One every hour from 10am to 7pm. Bus tours of Ipswich city will be organised, and a community event featuring eight local multi-cultural dance groups will be held at a marquee on the oval from 5pm to 7pm. Professor Grigg will host a function to welcome parents and friends of commencing students at room 340 in Building One, at 7pm.

On Tuesday, February 16, the official welcome will be held at 10am, followed by faculty sessions, a UQ Union Clubs and Societies market day on the main walkway, and computer orientation and survival skills courses continuing to 6pm. A parents evening for students from Bremer TAFE will be held at UQ Ipswich in room 340 at 7pm.

On Wednesday, February 17, from 10am students can tour the Student Centre and campus, attend computer orientation and survival skills courses, bachelor of contemporary studies activities including a free screening of the movie, Hercules, and attend a multi-denominational service to mark the commencement of the academic year at 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Thursday, February 18 activities include faculty sessions during the day and at 7pm the University will be officially welcomed to the City of Ipswich at a reception at Ipswich Civic Hall, Limestone Street, at 7pm.

On Friday, February 19, there will be further computer orientation, survival skills and faculty sessions will be held from 9.30am. Activities on Saturday, February 20 will include an orientation welcome to part-time students at 10am, a Kids Club for children three years and over from 9am to 2pm while students are at orientation activities, and faculty sessions.

Media contact: Professor Grigg, telephone 07 3365 7366.