SUMMER 2007 NO. 36 GRADUATE FAREWELL TO ‘TEAM HAY’ End of an era at UQ Brainpower boost $63m home for research institute Left-behind children found New Star shines on China’s street kids Horizons widened here At The University of Queensland we offer a range of internationally-recognised postgraduate qualifications, so whether you have a passion for research or a drive to accelerate your career, we can put you ahead of the field. The independent UK Times Higher Education Supplement If you would like personalised advice on our postgraduate recently placed UQ in the top 50 universities in the world coursework programs call + 61 7 3365 2203 or visit – the only Queensland university to rank so highly. www.uq.edu.au/postgraduate UQ offers a huge range of postgraduate scholarships, with Applications for our postgraduate coursework programs approximately $20 million available for research higher for first semester close 31 January 2008.* degree candidates in 2008. If you are interested in a Master of Philosophy or We also have the simplest application process for research Doctor of Philosophy please call +61 (7) 3365 7932, higher degrees in Australia – you only need to complete one email [email protected] or visit form and you can apply on any day of the year. www.uq.edu.au/grad-school CRICOS Provider Number 00025B *Closing dates can vary across faculties and schools. Applicants should check with Admissions on + 61 7 3365 2203. ST LUCIA IPSWICH GATTON + FROM THE CHANCELLOR When I take stock of the many reasons why I feel privileged to be Chancellor, working with John Hay over the past 12 years sits high on the list. John has been more than an outstanding Vice-Chancellor and President of UQ. He 04 has been a statesman in higher education nationally and internationally, and has made immeasurable contributions to the many communities which engage with UQ. As John prepares to retire at the end of the year, he will be the first to assert that legions of people have made UQ great. I have no hesitation in saying that his leadership and strategies have driven the University to unprecedented levels of excellence. It is no accident that during his tenure this 12 18 20 has grown to be the Australian university with more national teaching awards than any other, and a barely-matched record for amassing research funding. Nor is it a coincidence that CONTENTS UQ is at the pinnacle of university research commercialisation, and has a formidable record of attracting philanthropic funding for major infrastructure. + FEATURES On becoming our Vice-Chancellor, John wasted no time in establishing contacts 04 TRIBUTES TO JOHN HAY and networks for UQ’s benefit. The most Colleagues and friends discuss conspicuous successes emanate from his the legacy of Professor John Hay’s 23 relationships with Chuck Feeney, of The 12 years as Vice-Chancellor of the Atlantic Philanthropies, and Peter Beattie, the University. former Premier of Queensland. John foresaw + REGULARS that UQ could be a significant beneficiary of 12 BRAIN POWERHOUSE Mr Beattie’s ‘Smart State’ agenda as well as The new $63 million Queensland 08 STRATEGIC MOVES Mr Feeney’s strategic generosity. A suite of Brain Institute building at St Lucia Professor John Hay reflects on his world-class research facilities, the UQ Centre is the latest addition to a suite of tenure as Vice-Chancellor. and the beautifully converted James and Mary world-class UQ research centres. Emelia Mayne Centre (home to the UQ Art 10 CUTTING EDGE Museum), show his foresight was inspired. 18 GAIN FOR GATTON It is a great tribute that Professor Hay’s The Federal Government has 14 CAMPUS NEWS Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul supported the planned move of Greenfield, has been appointed as the next the School of Veterinary Science to 24 GRADUATE NEWS Vice-Chancellor. Gatton. 32 KEEP IN CONTACT A constant throughout the past 12 20 NEW STAR SHINES BRIGHTLY years has been John’s wife, Barbara, who A UQ graduate is helping change has been a tremendous confidante and has the lives of China’s generation of independently contributed much to the life of “left-behind children”. UQ and our associated communities. I am sure that readers of Graduate Contact 23 UNFINISHED SYMPHONY will join me in thanking John and Barbara for Professor Philip Bracanin is retiring + COVER their years of devotion to UQ, and in wishing as Head of the School of Music, them the very best for the future. but the composer says he will UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, barely miss a beat. AC, and wife Barbara Hay, who leave the University at the end of December. Sir Llew Edwards, AC Chancellor GRADUATE CONTACT Editor: Brad Turner is produced by the Office of Marketing and Editorial coordinator: Cameron Pegg Communications, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia Designer: Wendy Oakley, Felicia Chetcuti Telephone: (07) 3365 3367 Photographers: Jeremy Patten, Stewart Gould Email: [email protected] Photographic Librarian: Diana Lilley Editorial Board: Chair: Jack Lunn (Former Deputy Advertising: Tina Hannan (07) 5460 1739 Chair, Queensland Press Pty Ltd) Printing: Alpine Offset Members: Dr John Desmarchelier (Former General Manager, Sugar Terminals Limited) CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Professor Michael Keniger (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Please telephone: (07) 3346 3907 Academic) Facsimile: (07) 3346 3901 Shaun McDonagh (Director, Office of Marketing and Email: [email protected] Communications) The international code for dialling Australia is +61. Carla Boeckman (Director, Office of University Development and Graduate Relations) www.uq.edu.au Shane Rodgers (Deputy General-Manager, Quest Material in this publication does not necessarily reflect the Community Newspapers) policies of The University of Queensland. The Hay family: (from left) Ben, Barbara, Chris, John and Tim after the Queensland Greats ceremony in June 2007. Daughter Kate was in Melbourne and unable to attend the presentation. revolution&evolution The cluster of new UQ research institutes and their impact on reversing the brain drain of scientific knowledge from Australia are often seen as the most significant legacy of Professor John Hay’s 12 years as Vice-Chancellor – although his impact has been far broader, as these tributes from friends, associates and colleagues show. Under John’s stewardship UQ established internationally recognised and reflected in his Focus and balance Australia’s first annual awards for early career long-term chairmanship of the Carrick Institute) by Professor Paul Greenfield, researchers, the UQ Foundation Research has ensured that UQ’s teaching is enriched Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Excellence Awards, and then instigated by its research – and vice versa. He has led a Vice-Chancellor Elect annual awards for outstanding teaching and strategy to integrate research with teaching and supervision. These awards are emblematic of learning practice, and this has proven absolutely would summarise John Hay’s numerous his flair for matching a focus on research with a essential to UQ. I achievements as UQ Vice-Chancellor under focus on teaching and the learning process. Where it has been strategically advantageous, two main themes: focus and balance. The key to ensuring that teaching and the University has invested many millions of By focus, I mean that John has identified and learning share equal billing with research was dollars in capital, not only for research and invested in UQ’s areas of proven strength, as well the creation of the position of full-time Deputy teaching and learning purposes, but also to as areas of demonstrated prospective opportunity. Vice-Chancellor (Academic). advance commercialisation, the arts and cultural The balance has been achieved between Since January 2001, this portfolio has values. John’s relationship with Chuck Feeney excellence in research on the one hand, and complemented the long-standing office of of The Atlantic Philanthropies has made a great excellence in teaching and learning on the other. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and enabled start to a tradition which had little precedent in In research, the establishment of six teaching and learning to be systematically Australia, let alone in Queensland. His ability to internationally-recognised institutes and the championed from the lecture theatre through to attract philanthropic and matching funds has exceptional staff and students they have the chancellery. Our innovative and passionate become legendary in Australian higher education, attracted are easily characterised as the teachers have every reason for confidence that government and business circles. epitome of John’s achievements; but his impact issues of importance to them, such as teaching A common thread to UQ’s success during spreads much more widely, and a culture and learning spaces and materials, rate as the past 12 years is that our Vice-Chancellor of recognising and then backing research priorities at the very top of the University. has rewarded excellence, and that people who excellence permeates throughout the seven Additionally, John’s commitment to strive for and value excellence have responded faculties and six institutes. excellence in teaching and learning (which is positively. 4 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 THE JOHN HAY YEARS 1996 JANUARY: Professor Hay begins appointment as Vice-Chancellor, succeeding Professor Emeritus Brian Wilson. JUNE: Appointed to the Board of Brisbane Grammar School. SEPTEMBER: UQ Senate approves a new seven-faculty academic structure from 1997 after Professor Hay reports to Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards that UQ needs “flatter, leaner, more strategically responsive and effective structures, policies and practices.” DECEMBER: Announces plans to develop an Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) at St Lucia. This will become the first in a series of world-class institutes to be built in Professor Hay’s era, with funding from Chuck Feeney’s The Atlantic Philanthropies revolution evolution and UQ-leveraged Queensland Government Smart State monies and – in some cases & Top left: 1999: Professor Hay and former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie arrive for the opening of the – Australian Government funds.