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Milestones 2010–2011
2010
On-campus student enrolments increased by more than 17 percent in 2010. First preference applications for Semester 1, 2010 entry increased by 26 percent over 2009.
Research income, refereed publications and numbers of graduating research students continued to rise in 2010.
Research involving scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast into the domestication of southern bluefin tuna at land-based hatcheries earned the prestigious national “Excellence in Innovation” prize, presented to the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre in recognition of the outstanding innovation and commercial application of its research with South Australian company Clean Seas Tuna Ltd. In 2010 USC researchers were awarded almost $650,000 in funding through the Seafood CRC.
During 2010 USC confirmed its place in the $10 million Pacific Agribusiness Research and Development Initiative (PARDI) with a USC scientist confirmed as leader of the Forestry component. PARDI is an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research initiative being delivered through a partnership of Australian and Pacific Island agencies and providing a platform for stronger economic growth of Pacific Island countries.
For the second consecutive year, the Good Universities Guide confirmed USC as the only public university in Queensland to obtain five stars for the quality of staff teaching. Four stars were achieved for graduate satisfaction, also the highest ranking awarded to any public university in Queensland.
USC repeated last year’s record of six prestigious Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) citations, with six outstanding University of the Sunshine Coast academics recognised.
International on-campus enrolments (EFTSL) grew 12 percent, and in 2010, made up approximately 13 percent of total on-campus enrolments (EFTSL). More than 1,300 on-campus international students from 70 countries studied at USC during the year.
International students ranked the University second in Australia (out of 29 Australian universities) for overall satisfaction in the i-Graduate International Student Barometer (ISB), the largest annual study of international students in the world.
Experienced Indonesian teachers from the Indonesian province of Papua completed placements at Sunshine Coast high schools as part of the University’s unique, cross-cultural professional development project, with financial backing from the Australian and Indonesian governments and strong support from local schools.
The campus saw construction of: a $5 million Engineering and Paramedic Science facility including large open spaces suitable for concrete stress tests, hydraulic engineering experiments, photovoltaic cell (solar cell) testing and accident scene simulations; and a $2.4 million Olympic swimming pool as the first phase of the University's planned Aquatic Centre to be built adjacent its existing Health and Sport Centre, sports stadium and athletics track.
Federal and State governments supported the establishment of a $1.8 million child care centre on campus to be operated by the AEIOU Foundation (a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to children with autism). The Centre is expected to open by mid-2011.
The Innovation Centre continued to support the start-up and growth of businesses in sectors such as ICT, clean technology, health technology and creative industries, and ran 25 business education and networking events attracting 843 delegates in 2010.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Paul Thomas AM, achieved an Australian university first by receiving a prestigious international award for excellence in leadership by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Professor Greg Hill was appointed Vice-Chancellor and President (Designate) in June 2010 until founding Vice-Chancellor Professor Thomas AM officially completed his term and commenced retirement in December 2010. Professor Hill’s term of office as Vice-Chancellor and President is to commence in January 2011.
Molecular physicist Professor Birgit Lohmann was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, to commence in early 2011. The University also created the new position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) to reinforce and fast track growth of the University’s research profile. Professor of Chemistry, Professor Roland De Marco, will step into the position early in 2011.
The University’s efforts in providing access for people with disabilities earned high acclaim with an award from the Spinal Injuries Association.
The University of the Sunshine Coast received its sixth consecutive ‘Employer of Choice For Women’ citation awarded by the Equal Opportunity For Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) in recognition of efforts to increase the representation of women at senior staff levels and to help staff maintain work/life balance.