Leaders on show, graduates on home stretch

A peace and conflict advocate, an international computer scientist, Queensland’s child safety boss an acclaimed filmmaker, are among the guest speakers and award winners at University of Queensland graduations next week.

Eight graduation ceremonies will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at UQ’s St Lucia and Gatton campuses.

Professor Peter Wallensteen, from the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in Sweden is guest speaker at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences ceremony on Monday from 6pm.

Professor Wallensteen has written widely on international peace agreements, sanctions, reforming the United Nations and on September 11.

On Wednesday, computer scientist Robert Bishop, the Chair and Executive Officer of global computing giant Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI), will receive an honorary doctorate and be guest speaker at the 11am St Lucia ceremony.

Mr Bishop’s computer science career spans four decades.

Queensland’s Director-General of the Department of Child Safety, Dr Robin Sullivan, will be guest speaker at the 2pm St Lucia ceremony.

Dr Sullivan has the job of protecting children and young people from abuse and neglect , particularly those in care, by enacting the State Government’s child protection blueprint.

She has worked as a teacher, principal, schools inspector and most recently spent more than five years as the Queensland Commissioner for Children and Young People.

At the 10am Gatton ceremony on Friday, leading wildlife documentary maker Tina Dalton will be presented with the UQ Gatton Gold Medal for her distinguished career and her contributions to environmental education, UQ Gatton and being a role model, particularly for young women in film making.

Injune farmer, artist and a pioneer of a pasture system to reduce salinity and improve quality, Wally Peart, will be guest speaker at this ceremony.

Between 5000 and 6000 students will have graduated from UQ by the end of next week’s eight ceremonies.

All St Lucia graduations are held at the UQ Centre (building 27A), and in Gatton at the campus gymnasium.

Media: contact Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (phone: 07 3365 2619, email: m.holland@uq.edu.au)