UQ and GHD commit to the improvement of engineering education

A generous gift from consulting company GHD is literally changing the face of engineering education at The University of Queensland (UQ).

Supporting UQ’s state-of-the-art Advanced Engineering Building (AEB), the GHD family has gifted $2.5 million to help construct the centrepiece of the AEB, which will become known as the GHD Auditorium.

Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, Professor David St John thanked GHD for their leadership in philanthropy.

“This is a wonderful gift to receive, not only does it underpin an exciting new teaching and learning facility, we hope it will inspire others to follow their lead in giving,” Professor St John said.

“Gifts such as the one from GHD are helping to ensure that engineering education in Australia is world-class and, as such, are making engineering at UQ an attractive career choice for both Australian and international students.”

The gift was established under the leadership of recently-retired GHD Chair Des Whybird – himself a UQ alumnus.

Mr Whybird said the gift was acknowledging the university’s contributions to engineering education and honouring GHD’s own commitment to advancing excellence within the engineering profession.

“GHD hopes that future generations will enjoy their university education in this world-class facility.”
Warren Traves, a director of GHD and Manager for South Queensland, said the gift was another sign of the firm commitment GHD has to the engineering profession.

“Australia has worked hard to put itself in a leading global position in engineering. World-class education of our best and brightest young engineers will continue to propel our nation forward, which is why GHD is truly delighted to make this gift,” Mr Traves said.

“Supporting the GHD Auditorium at the AEB will mean engineering education at UQ continues to be an exciting pathway for students and a launch-pad for future success for them and for our nation.”

Media: Madelene Flanagan (m.flanagan@uq.edu.au or 3365 8525)