Milestones 2007
University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas received an Australia Day honour in January 2007. He became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “service to higher education, particularly through the development and administration of the University of the Sunshine Coast and to the establishment of educational links with China and Japan”.
The Innovation Centre staged Australia's first Enterprisers program for 72 students from 30 January to 2 February. This program was developed by the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to inspire young entrepreneurs. A second Enterprisers program was held at USC in September.
The Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) commended USC in February for its significant achievements since inception. AUQA, an independent body auditing all Australian universities, released an extensive report that made special mention of USC’s commitment to the Sunshine Coast and its innovative programs aimed at enhancing students’ experiences at university.
John Dobson OAM, who had been a USC Council member since 1998, was appointed Chancellor in March, filling the role vacated by pastoralist Ian Kennedy AO who had served as Chancellor for nine years. Mr Dobson was formally installed as Chancellor by the Governor of Queensland, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, on 8 May.
A crowd of more than 300 people turned out for the official dedication of a 7m-tall sculpture, Pulse, at the USC Gallery forecourt on Thursday 5 April. The sculpture was built as part of the University's campus enhancement program under the USC Building Excellence fundraising campaign.
In May, two multi-million University buildings were officially opened. Queensland’s Minister for Education, Training and the Arts, Rod Welford, officially opened the A$12 million science building (Building H) on 1 May, while the Governor of Queensland, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, officially opened the A$13 million Chancellery building (Building C) on 8 May.
Australia Zoo owner Terri Irwin and the ABC’s Australian Story presenter Caroline Jones were among the honorary award recipients at the USC graduation ceremony on 18 May. Ms Jones became the University's first honorary Doctor of Letters, and renowned architect Harold Guida become an honorary Doctor of the University. Mrs Irwin became an Honorary Senior Fellow, along with Sunshine Coast Regional Organisation of Councils manager Graeme Pearce, APN News and Media Group Executive Editor Peter Owen, and Frayda Myers Cooper of the University of the Third Age.
Federal Education, Science and Training Minister Julie Bishop officially opened USC's impressive A$10 million indoor sports stadium on 19 July. The 3,705 square metre stadium is to be used for University and community sporting events – including basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball and badminton – and for University research and teaching.
Two USC lecturers received A$10,000 awards in August for their outstanding contributions to student learning. Cultural Studies senior lecturer Dr Karen Brooks and Marketing and Tourism lecturer Gayle Mayes each received citations from the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.
The University's efforts in encouraging local students to study overseas were honoured by the Queensland Government on 30 August. USC’s Global Opportunities (GO) program won a major award at the Celebrating International Education and Training Industry Showcase in Brisbane for promoting internationalisation.
The 2008 Good Universities Guide, released in October, described the University of the Sunshine Coast as a five-star performer.The Guide awarded top marks (five stars) for USC’s staff qualifications, teaching quality, and graduates’ satisfaction with the generic skills they gained while at the University.
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser was among the keynote speakers at USC's annual State of the Region Conference in late October. The conference attracted hundreds of major decision-makers, researchers and strategists and focused on the planned amalgamation of councils on the Sunshine Coast.
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