UQ program champions diversity in the workplace

UQ has teamed up with Trade Queensland to deliver a new program focusing on the importance of workplace diversity.

The inaugural “Women to the Top” program was delivered this month for 57 members of the Japanese Women’s Innovation Network (J-WIN) by the Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ).

J-WIN is an influential non-profit organisation that promotes the incorporation of diversity strategies into Japanese work culture and society.

Premier Anna Bligh MP and Minister for Women Ms Karen Struthers MP, officially welcomed the group to Queensland at a function on November 11 at Old Government House.

The program gave J-WIN participants opportunities to see diversity in action through visiting and meeting with a range of Queensland professional organisations, to be informed on Queensland government equity policy as well as to investigate local mentoring and professional development programs.

J-WIN has a large corporate membership including Bank of Tokyo, Sony and IBM Japan and is chaired by Ms Yukako Uchinaga, Director and Vice-Chairman of Benesse Corporation, one of Japan’s pre-eminent conglomerates.

Insights gained from the program will be taken back to Japan and used to guide the organisations’ future diversity development strategies.

Media: Frances Wickerson at ICTE-UQ (07 3346 6709, f.wickerson@icte.uq.edu.au)