Milestones 2001 - 2006
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2001
The five-year review of the University's Master Plan was completed by Mitchell/Giurgola and Thorp.
The University Foundation office launched the Annual Appeal in February.
The University's first PhD student graduated on April 20.
On June 1 Queensland Premier Peter Beattie officially opened the Innovation Centre on campus.
The University partnered with National Seniors Association to form the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre. The Centre was partly funded by the Commonwealth government.
The University's first research institute, Sunshine Coast Research Institute for Business Enterprise (SCRIBE), was established.
The University acquired an old forestry site at the Glasshouse Mountains from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines to establish the Beerwah Field Study Centre for research and community education purposes.
The Faculty of Science established Australia's first library of bacteria called Actinomycetes.
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2002
The University partnered with Central Queensland University to offer a Bachelor of Health (Nursing) on the Sunshine Coast.
The Innovation Centre's business incubator, Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast Pty Ltd, was launched by Minister for Innovation and Information Economy Paul Lucas on February 7.
In February the University and Cooloola Sunshine Institute of TAFE signed an agreement to provide four new combined award programs in the areas of tourism and hospitality, sport and recreation in 2003.
A study commissioned by the Federal government's Department of Transport and Regional Services recognised the University's outstanding commitment to the Sunshine Coast community in a report on community engagement.
The University partnered with other Australian universities to form the New Generation Universities Coalition.
The 2002 staffing report released by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) placed the University of the Sunshine Coast as the second-highest institution in Queensland on the proportion of full-time academic staff with higher degrees.
The University signed an agreement with The German Sports University in Cologne in September to promote academic cooperation in sport research and education.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences established the Centre for Multicultural and Community Development.
The University received an additional 50 funded student places from the Commonwealth government.
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2003
The Fraser Island Research and Education Centre, a collaborative venture between the University and Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, was officially opened by Minister for Education, Anna Bligh on March 28.
The first Bachelor of Health (Nursing) students commenced at the University in semester one.
The Federal government released the results of the Crossroads Higher Education Review, with the results promising the University would proportionately gain more than any other university in Australia from 2005 in terms of student load and growth places.
2004
USC became Australia's fastest growing university when it received the highest number of student places at a single campus with the announcement of 1080 new places over four years, which will see a 50 percent increase in student numbers by 2009.
The University retained its five-star rating for staff qualifications in the 2005 Good Universities Guide. USC also received high ratings for graduate satisfaction, electronic support and academic services, reinforcing its commitment to student support and quality learning.
In July a new science research centre, CHASE (Centre for Healthy Activities, Sport and Exercise) was officially opened. CHASE was created to assist in the understanding and enhancement of sports performance and the development of healthy activities in the community, particularly for children.
July also saw the official opening of the new Art Gallery. Community support through the University Foundation raised more than A$500,000 toward the building.
University and Education Queensland staff moved into the five story ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Centre, part of the latest development of the rapidly growing campus.
A new learning space for students was opened in the award-winning library, the Information Commons offers individual and group study desks and easy access to computers and online resources.
The University continued to lead the way in building international networks and opportunities for students with universities around the world. An International Partners' Conference was held in April which saw 29 academics and international relations staff from universities in the USA, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Italy, Fiji and Malaysia visit the University of the Sunshine Coast and discover what is on offer for student choosing to study here.
Many new courses and degrees were created, adding to the suite of programs already on offer at USC. The most significant new area of study is Education.
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2005
USC received its first Discovery Grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC). The A$150,000 research grant is a major step forward for the University and gives USC national standing among Australian universities.
The University was named an Employer of Choice for Women by the Federal Government Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA). USC was the only Sunshine Coast organisation to be named in a list of 15 Queensland-based organisations and one of only 115 Australia-wide.
New Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill joined the University in March bringing a wealth of experience to USC, particularly in the areas of academic program development, regional engagement and research.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed plans for a A$6 million sports complex to be built on campus, which would include an indoor stadium and outdoor playing fields.
USC was one of only two Australian universities chosen for an international benchmarking project conducted by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The University was identified as a leading example of how universities can successfully engage with their region.
An agreement was signed between the University, Maroochy Shire Council and Education Queensland to develop a knowledge precinct with the aim of generating employment opportunities on the Sunshine Coast.
USC graduates again gave the University a five-star rating for educational experience, while the quality of teaching at USC was recognised with academic staff named among Australia's best.
John Prescott, former head of BHP Billiton, visited the USC campus to officially open the new postgraduate Business students' Masters Club.
The University and Education Queensland, through the ICT Learning Innovation Centre, launched a new state-of-the-art recording studio within the ICT Centre.
Construction began on the new Science, Health and Education building (Building H), and more car parking space for students and staff is made available.
USC shared in part of a A$5 million funding boost for regional universities to develop better research infrastructure into digital repositories and give improved access to recent research papers using improved search engines and the latest application software.
The first nursing students to complete their studies at USC celebrated with 100 percent employment.
USC and the new Noosa North Shore Resort signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide opportunities for students and staff across all three faculties.
First year business students are able to study at Noosa from 2006 with the opening of the USC Noosa Centre at Sunshine Beach. USC will be part of new permanent premises being built at Grant Street in Noosa.
Associate Professor Pam Dyer was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
The ICT Centre was awarded the Master Builders Sunshine Coast Project of the Year.
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2006
In 2006, the University celebrated its 10th anniversary. USC welcomed its first 524 students in early 1996, and will welcome the largest group of new and continuing students in the University's history to the start of this study year. Events with the theme The Power of Ten: Celebrating our First and Future Decades were held throughout 2006.
The CHASE Sport and Health Clinic opened in February to offer unique facilities and services to the Sunshine Coast community, amateur and professional athletes, health practitioners and sporting groups.
The inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Colloquium was held in May.
For the second year running, the University was named an Employer of Choice for Women by the Federal Government Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).
USC became the partner university for the 2006 Northern University Games, held on the Sunshine Coast in July.
The new Science building (Building H), which includes nursing teaching wards and advanced computing, sports science and teaching laboratories, opened in mid-2006. Construction of Building C is continuing, with the new building to be open for the start of the 2007 study year.
Professor Edmond Fitzgerald is appointed Dean of the Faculty of Business.
The University again received top marks in the Good Universities Guide, with five-star ratings in areas such as teaching quality, generic skills, academic services and electronic support.
USC holds its first Annual Research Conference in November.
The USC Noosa Centre is relocated from the Bicentennial Hall, Sunshine Beach, to Noosa Junction. A "Uni Day at the J" is held in November, to inform community members of the study options available.
Construction of a A$10 million indoor sports stadium begins on campus. When complete, the 3,705 square metre stadium will be used for University and community sporting events, and as a 3,000-seat auditorium.
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