ODVC(A) newsletter - April 2025

Date: Thursday 15 May 2025
Time: 1:00 – 2:30pm
Venue: Online* via the Zoom livestream

Questions: Questions are welcomed in advance and on the day. If you already have something you would like to raise, please submit via the form here.

Accessibility: Closed captions will be available on the Zoom livestream, by selecting 'Live Transcript' then 'Show Subtitle'.

Register here

*Based on your feedback from the last DVC(A) All Staff Forum, we’re moving the mid-year All Staff Forum to an online format to improve accessibility and ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to attend and engage across the Portfolio during peak semester periods.

The PD Scheme Approval Group has now commenced meetings for 2025 and noted the high quality of applications, reflecting the strong interest and value staff place on development opportunities.

I’m pleased to report that 88% of applications were funded, supporting staff to attend conferences, workshops, training, and gain certifications. For those whose applications couldn’t be funded through the DVC(A) PD Scheme, the Approval Group are working to connect applicants with alternative opportunities available across UQ.

These opportunities not only upskill our staff but also enrich the work we do, bringing fresh perspectives, new capabilities, and a stronger sense of professional growth across the Portfolio. It’s fantastic to see the PD Scheme in action as a direct response to the 2024 Pulse Survey, and I look forward to continuing to progress this work alongside the incredible things that are already being done in our divisions.

The Scheme will continue throughout 2025, with Approval Group meetings occurring quarterly. If there’s a development opportunity you’d like to pursue, please speak with your manager and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via this link.

Further Professional Development Opportunities

Efforts are underway to expand professional development opportunities beyond the scheme. Based on feedback from the last DVC(A) All Staff Forum, a platform is being developed to host professional development resources, allow for the submission of EOIs, and facilitate the proposal of new activities such as group training.

I’d also like to highlight that on top of funded activities, there are also many free training and development opportunities available through Workday and UQ staff development programs.

Opportunity to be part of the PD Scheme Approval Group

The PD Scheme Approval Group have been fundamental to the Scheme’s success, and my sincere thanks goes out to Lachlan Macintosh, Stephen Wilcox and Matt Hawkins for their valuable contributions as the representatives in 2024.

EOIs are now open to join the PD Scheme Approval Group, four places are available for representatives from HEW 2-7. This is a great opportunity to work with others across the Portfolio and gain experience in governance activities. Please submit your EOI to dvcacomms@uq.edu.au (cc your manager) by Friday 2 May 2025.

More updates will be shared in the coming weeks.

On Friday 21 March, UQ welcomed the Australian Human Rights Race Discrimination Commissioner on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) as part of Respect at Uni Week 2025.

A Student Roundtable was also hosted with the Commissioner, aimed at creating an important space for students to share their lived experiences and ideas for change.

The experiences and perspectives shared will help inform the ongoing work the University will be undertaking this year to reinforce a culture of respect and inclusion within our community.

On 21 March, several ITaLI staff attended the Queensland HERDSA Professional Development & Networking Day, a fantastic opportunity to engage with experts on the pressing challenges and innovations in higher education.

The day opened with a keynote by Professor Sally Kift, who reminded us that while universities are progressing on Accord goals, continued whole-of-university efforts are essential to drive meaningful impact in equity, student success, and engagement.

Sessions throughout the day explored key themes including equity and inclusion, with a focus on student belonging, personalised support, and trauma-informed teaching; the evolving landscape of AI and academic integrity, including GenAI ethics and copyright issues, highlighted by UQ’s Associate Professor Christine Slade’s presentation on tackling copyright infringement on student file-sharing sites; and student engagement and learning innovation, showcasing authentic assessment, immersive curricula, and the changing nature of academic roles.

The event was a valuable opportunity for networking and knowledge-sharing, with rich insights that will help inform ongoing work within ITaLI and across the University.

UQ is transitioning to a new platform for student course surveys (formerly SECaTs and SETutors), set to launch in Semester 1, 2025 (open to students 19 May – 6 June). The new system will offer improved reliability and a better user experience, with minimal changes to existing processes.

User testing is underway, with positive feedback from staff and students. Each faculty has a nominated Change Champion to support the transition.

Details of the project, including demos of the new platform and FAQs are available Course Evaluations Project webpage. Further event and engagements will be shared through this site over the coming weeks. 

To help raise awareness and highlight the importance of student feedback, a new promotional video has been created featuring myself, Professor Suzanne Le Mire, and UQU leaders. The video emphasises UQ’s refreshed approach to course surveys and the value we place on student voices. We encourage everyone to view and share the video to support increased engagement and response rates. Check out the video here.

The Academic Skills team has launched the Peer Writing Project, a pilot program aimed at fostering a collaborative, peer-driven environment where students can work on assignments, reports, and presentations. During daily drop-in sessions, trained Writing Leaders will be available to offer informal feedback, discuss ideas, and model effective academic strategies that support deeper engagement with assessment tasks.

Sessions will take place in the newly established Study Skills Hub, which will also host future student support initiatives. For more information, contact Catherine Fitzgerald at c.fitzgerald3@uq.edu.au.

Project idea submissions for Round 3 of the 2025 Student-Staff Partnership (SSP) Program are now open and will close on Friday 2 May.

The SSP Program empowers students and staff to collaborate on meaningful projects that enhance teaching and learning, student experience, and university governance. It’s a great opportunity to work together to create positive change at UQ.

To learn more or submit your idea, visit the SSP website.

Whether it’s career advice over a quick coffee, resume writing skills to professional photography for LinkedIn, Employability Week (10-13 March 2025) delivered an online and in person program around Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s unpredictable movements. Employability Week is an important reminder to support and empower our students to grow their network, build confidence and take steps towards their future careers early.

Employability events and activities are just not limited to Employability Week (schedule for 9-12 March 2026 next year), the Careers Development Team offer a range of events year-round.

See what’s coming up next: https://employability.uq.edu.au/events

Despite the challenges posed by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the UQ Careers Expo successfully took place on Thursday 13 March, connecting students directly with 60+ industry and future employers.

The Career Development team reported strong attendance and received positive feedback from both students and exhibitors, a fantastic result after many months of preparation.

On Wednesday 19 March the Get Involved team welcomed over 25 not-for-profit and non-government-organisations on campus as part of the annual Volunteer Expo. Held in the GCI building the expo was well attended by students looking to gain confidence, sharpen their employability skills and do something good for the planet. Students volunteer hours can be used toward the Employability Award.

This year saw an 19% increase in attendance at the expo with 22 student volunteers helping on the day.

Significant improvements to the Late Addition of Course (LAOC) process went live on 5 March, enhancing the student experience and streamlining administrative tasks. These updates came at a critical time, helping manage a surge in late addition requests and charge waivers following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Enhancements include automated charge waiver processing, duplicate request prevention, improved tracking, clearer staff forms, and mandatory student justifications to support faster, more efficient assessments.

Between 8-21 March 2025, 762 cases were submitted, a 26% increase from the same period in 2024. Despite this rise, turnaround time improved by 12%, with the average case completion reduced from 63 to 53 hours. Notably, 121 change waivers were processed automatically, saving approximately 30 staff hours in Student Central.

I am pleased to announce that Jeffery Cruz has been appointed as Acting University Librarian during Caroline Williams’ six-month leave of absence, from 19 February to 18 August. During this time, attendance at university committees and meetings is being shared across the Library Senior Leadership team, primarily by Jeff, Sam Searle, and Anna Lagos.

Jeff was on planned leave throughout March, and I’d like to sincerely thank Anna Lagos for stepping into the role of Acting University Librarian during this period.

Anna’s leadership skills were invaluable, particularly during the cyclone and safeguarding UQ’s valuable collections.

Lastly, I’m pleased to announce that Justine Cawley has been appointed as Acting Director, Library Student Experience (LSX), who commenced on Monday 24 February.

Thank you all for your support during this transition period.

Psychosocial safety continues to be a focus across the Portfolio, particularly in response to feedback from the Pulse Survey. While the "Understanding and Managing Psychosocial Risk for Supervisors" learning module in Workday is not new, it remains an important resource that I would like to remind supervisors of.

Supervisors are encouraged to revisit or complete this training in Workday, particularly those new to leadership roles. The module outlines the impact of work-related factors on staff wellbeing, highlights common psychosocial hazards in the workplace, and provides practical tools to manage risks, foster respectful environments, and support team wellbeing.

This is a simple yet important step in supporting a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace culture.

For any questions or further information about any of the above topics, or if you would like to make a submission for the next newsletter, please contact dvcacomms@uq.edu.au.

Thank you for your continued dedication in bringing Semester 1 to life. I look forward to working together as we continue to build on this strong start to the year.

Warm Regards,

Kris