Job prospects bright for UQ graduates

The University of Queensland has climbed another place in the 2019 QS Graduate Employability Rankings, to be number 48 in the world.

The result places UQ well within the top 10 per cent of institutions worldwide, as well as being number one in Queensland and fourth in Australia.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said UQ had continued to improve its position in an increasingly competitive space, with more universities included in the ranking this year.

“We are investing in programs and activities that connect our students to experiences that enhance their skills and develop qualities that are highly sought after by business and industry,” Professor Høj said.

“The ranking reflects the sustained work of our academic, teaching, and professional staff, as well as our partners, to provide students with a world-class education that is relevant now and into the future.”

Professor Høj said as technology continued to re-shape many areas of work, it was vital that students were given a diverse portfolio of skills and knowledge to make them adaptable and resilient for a series of careers, and provided opportunities to create their own ventures.

“We are encouraging our students to engage in entrepreneurial activities that develop creative mindsets – crucial attributes required to identify and harness opportunities and to create businesses, industries, and complex social solutions for uncertain futures.

“Aside from learning the nuts and bolts of starting a business, students gain insights into the importance of failure, determination and reinvention on the road to hard-won success.”

The QS Graduate Employability Rankings compare universities around the world by considering factors including how connected they are to companies, and how they are nurturing students to enable them to respond to future industry needs.

“UQ received an exemplary score of 94.2 per cent in the Partnerships with Employers measure this year, and we are very grateful to our industry partners for helping to enhance our student outcomes,” Professor Høj said.

“Increasing opportunities for students to undertake work placements for course credits and regularly bringing professionals on to campus to share industry insights are among the ways we are building on these connections.

“The focus is very much on reflective learning to ensure our students develop through all their experiences – within and beyond the curriculum.”

This year’s rankings evaluated 660 institutions, a 10 per cent increase on last year.

Data was collected from more than 40,000 employers, and evaluated nearly 200,000 workplace partnerships.

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 1130.