VC column: 2024 end of year message
Column piece published in CQToday by Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp
As we close the chapter on 2024, it’s time to reflect on what has been an extraordinary year for CQUniversity.
We’ve had much to celebrate this year, from the awarding of individual and team accomplishments to the marking of major milestones and the release of some incredible research findings.
It all kicked off in February when CQUniversity’s Universal Beach Accessibility Hub (U-BEACH) project was named the Community Champion Award winner at the Universities Australia Shaping Australia Awards.
The award specifically recognised U-BEACH for the initiative’s exceptional impact in improving beach accessibility for individuals with disabilities or mobility limitations, showcasing the impact our university makes on the communities we serve.
This year we have also seen our researchers named as recipients of some prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) awards.
Sleep researcher Dr Grace Vincent was awarded an Early Career Researcher Award, receiving $488,579 over three years to develop a digital sleep assistant, Professor Anjum Naweed was named a Future Fellow for 2024, securing $1.2 million for his safety science research over four years, Deputy Vice-President of Indigenous Engagement and Co-Director of the Jawun Research Institute, Professor Adrian Miller, was named a member of the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) inaugural Indigenous Forum and Professor Dana Stanley was appointed to the ARC’s College of Experts.
As a university, student success is always at the heart of what we do, and I’m proud to report that 2024 has been no exception. From record-breaking numbers attending graduation ceremonies to an unprecedented number of student placements in industry - our students continue to excel both during and after their studies. It is their passion, drive and curiosity that reminds us why we do what we do.
In addition to welcoming new students, we’ve also proudly welcomed some new leaders to our university including Professor Jonathan Powles who now oversees our Students Division in the executive position of Vice-President, Student Success, our Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy (CHRE) now has Paul Hodgson at the helm and Professor Rabin Tuladhar is leading our School of Engineering and Technology as the new Dean.
This year we have celebrated some exciting milestones, not least the marking of 10 years since CQUniversity merged with CQ TAFE, establishing Queensland’s first and only dual-sector university and becoming the official public provider of TAFE in Central Queensland.
While dual-sector universities had been established in other parts of Australia, the merger was a first for Queensland and has revolutionised the way we deliver vocational training and higher education in the region.
In marking our 10th year as a dual-sector university, we also welcomed a commitment from the LNP to deliver $61.1 million to fund the completion of the Rockhampton North TAFE Centre of Excellence. October’s election result will now see CQUniversity realise its long-anticipated vision to deliver the project and bring together TAFE training and higher education at our Rockhampton North campus.
Importantly, the project will also address critical housing needs in the region. Beyond creating opportunities to expand the local construction workforce, it will allow for surplus land on our Rockhampton North campus to be allocated for a residential development, bringing approximately 500 much-needed new homes to the area. Additionally, once consolidation is complete, our current CQUniversity City Campus will be returned to the community, opening space for new initiatives that will directly benefit the region.
Alongside the CQ TAFE Centre of Excellence, the new Government has also committed $42 million for Stage 1 of the Rockhampton Regional Council’s Sports Precinct, to be constructed on the Rockhampton North campus.
As we reflect on this past year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey - our staff, students, alumni and partners. Your dedication and passion have been the driving force behind everything we have accomplished, and I am confident that together, we will continue to achieve even greater things in the years to come.
