Community Engagement
Guided by its strategic project objectives, the Chair is actively engaged with the communities in the Greater Whitsunday Region. This involves working closely with Mining, METS and non-METS industries, peak bodies, state and local government agencies and communities on future skilling, decarbonisation, economic transformation and community strengthening agendas in the region.
Visit to BHP Future Fit Academy in Mackay
On 13 March 2023 Professor Rob Brown, Rob Buttery (Associate Dean, CQU School of Trades) and Mahesh Kayastha visited the BHP Future Fit Academy (FFA) in Mackay. The visit was a good opportunity to know about the vision, initiatives, and activities of FFA from Laura Langan and Jackie Murphy at BHP.
BHP Bowen Basin Mining Club Lunch
Professor Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha attended a BHP Bowen Basin Mining Club Lunch in Mackay on 30 March 2023. The event was a wonderful opportunity to understand BHP's vision and strategies on future skilling in the region as well as to connect with the key METS industry contacts.
Media (Radio) Interview
on 15 April 2023, Prof Rob Brown attended the ABC North Queensland radio interview and discussed CQUniversity Mackay, MEVET, future work skills, bridging the skills shortage gaps etc in the Greater Whitsunday Region.
Bowen Basin Bright Minds Opening Dinner
On 21 July 2023 Prof Rob Brown was invited as a Keynote speaker at the Bright Minds Opening Dinner, presented his keynote speech on the topic: "How education needs to adapt to meet the needs of our community in light of 4IR. What type of education should students be undertaking post high school to enter roles of the future?"
135 delegates from industry, education services, school principals and teaching staff attended the dinner.
Decarbonisation conversation meeting with the key stakeholders
on 28 April 2023, Prof Rob Brown convened an online meeting to broadly discuss CIA's it's planned research on Dacarbonisation, and to seek inputs from the stakeholders about who we should we talk to in the region.
Smart Transformation Advisory Council
As a part of the Chair's key objective, Prof Rob Brown participated in the Smart Transformation Advisory Council (STAC) meetings in Dysart on 3 April 2023 and in Moranbah on 4 April 2023.
Smart Transformation: Innovative Futures Project Steering Committee
Prof Rob Brown participated in the "Smart Transformation: Innovative Futures Project Steering Committee meeting on 20 April 2023. The meeting discussed the Smart Transformation Action Plan and possible next steps.
Introduction to Treasurer Cameron Dick
On 21 June 2023 Prof Rob Brown had an informal meeting with Treasurer Cameron Dick at the DISH (RCOE) where he showcased the Chair in Automation role and partnerships. The Minister was joined by Assistant Minister for Treasury, Charis Mullen MP, and local member and Assistant Minister for Education, Julieanne Gilbert MP. Furthermore, Prof Rob Brown had a good conversation with the Treasurer and his colleagues, and took the opportunity to highlight the terrific work CQUniversity Mackay is doing with our partners such as the RCOE, BMA and the Resource Industry Network (RIN).
Meeting and presentation to the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME) at the RCOE
Opportunity to discuss and showcase the CIA role and partnerships.
CRC TiME Networking Lunch and Virtual Roundtable at the RCOE
Prof Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha visited a CRC TiME Networking Lunch and Virtual Roundtable at the Regional Centre of Excellece, Mackay on 3 July 2023. The event was a wonderful opportunity to engage and network with partner and stakeholder representatives of CRC TiME and listen to participants from three Bowen Basin regional entities discuss approaches to long-term social and economic prosperity including their role in diversification, collaboration and future visions for coal regions
Introductory meeting with Gavin Lind from The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA)
Prof Rob Brown attended a meeting with Gavin Lind from The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) on 14 July 2023 and discussed AUSMASA Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) for the mining and automotive industries and their work in developing current and future workforce skilling needs.
BHP Hay Point Coal Terminal tour
Prof Rob Brown, Dean Kirkwood (General Manager, Resource Industry Network - RIN), and Mahesh Kayastha visited the BHP Hay Point Coal terminal on 31 August 2023. Brett Ross, Linda Murry, and Leah Scheepers from BHP accompanied the tour. It was a good opportunity for the Chair to discuss the future collaboration between the Chair, BHP and RIN in broad agendas.
AI Business Innovation Workshop
On 19 April 2023, Prof Rob Brown Brown and Mahesh Kayastha attended the AI Business Innovation Workshop hosted by Split Spaces and facilitated by Mackay Whitsundays AI Chapters. During the event experts discussed about the future of business and workforce trends and a demonstration of AI tools.
Business Breakfast
on 6 July 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended a Business Breakfast event in Townsville hosted by Townsville Enterprise and James Cook University and presented by Dr Chris Greig from Princeton University on the topic 'Navigating Australia's transition to a net-zero emissions economy - opportunities and challenges for Northern Australia'
Industry 4.0 - Driving Sustainable Manufacturing Breakfast - Mackay
On 11 July 2023 Prof Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha attended a Breakfast Event facilitated by Ai Group Queensland at the RCOE. Leading industry expressed presented their views about smart manufacturing and distribution as well as decarbonisation.
