Welcome to QUT's weekly round-up of news and events. For regular updates, follow us on Twitter (@QUTmedia) and Facebook (@QUTBrisbane). To subscribe to this wrap, please email media@qut.edu.au.
NEWS
Attacks on Encryption: what we all need to know: An increase in government powers to access every Australian’s communications via mandating ‘backdoors’ into encrypted applications has prompted a major QUT forum on October 5.
STEM, space and the new frontiers: QUT hosts former NASA astronaut: Australia’s plan to develop its own space agency was “fantastic” news, former NASA astronaut and Director of Crew and Mission Operations for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program Chris Ferguson has told a packed lecture at QUT.
Monetising time savings makes toll roads financially stack up: Putting a dollar value on the savings from traffic congestion, noise and air pollution as a result of toll roads and tunnels will make large infrastructure projects more cost effective, according to a new study by QUT.
Toowoomba and Calamvale teams share UAV Challenge win: In a first for the QUT-CSIRO UAV Challenge, teams from two Queensland high schools have shared first place: the Cheeky Mangoz from Toowoomba Christian College and the Calamvale Predators from Calamvale Community College.
QUT focusses on women in STEM: While QUT’s proportion of senior staff who are women (42%) is well above the national average, numbers in the science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) areas are relatively low. New programs to support the progression and retention of women in STEM are underway, and expected to bear fruit in the coming years.
Pepper guides Queensland’s brightest young minds at STEM camp: High-achieving students from across the state took part in the QUT Vice-Chancellor’s STEM camp over the school holidays, helping to accelerate their understanding of science, technology engineering and maths.
EVENTS
Oct 4: QUT Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (free) @ Gardens Point
Oct 6: Grand Challenge Lecture: Superconductivity – Has It Touched Your Life (free) @ Gardens Point
Oct 8: Brisbane Open House festival (free) @ Old Government House
Oct 9: Distinguished Visitor Lecture: Alternative Fuel Use in the US Military: The Great Green Fleet and Beyond (free) @ Gardens Point
Oct 11: QUT bluebox Challenge (free) @ Gardens Point
Oct 12: QUT School of Law - Celebrating 40 Years @ Gardens Point
Oct 12: A Letter to My Younger Self: Leadership Journeys (free) @ Gardens Point
Oct 17: Real World Futures conference: Disruptive Influences @ Gardens Point
Oct 19: Frontiers of Materials Research Symposium (free) @ Gardens Point
Oct 21: Pure Planta Food Fiesta @ Brisbane Powerhouse
Oct 25: MBA and Postgraduate Business Information Evening (free) @ Gardens Point
Now-Oct 29: Machination (free) @ QUT Art Museum
Now-Oct 29: Why future still needs us: AI and humanity (free) @ QUT Art Museum
Now-Nov 24: STEM for Schools: What's on in 2017 @ QUT
Now-December: Code-A-Bot, Physics Observatory and Dino Zoo (free) @ The Cube
Now-June 17, 2018: Eternal Present: The Still Life paintings of William Robinson (free) @ William Robinson Gallery, Old Government House
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
This week's leading commentators included Associate Professor Gary Mortimer from the QUT Business who talked retail with outlets including 7 News, 9 News and Smart Company, and Professor Gerry Fitzgerald from the Faculty of Health who was kept busy by TV, radio, and online outlets discussing the health implications of heatwaves.
These and our other media highlights of the week can be found here.
Media release date: Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Media contact: media@qut.edu.au
QUT is part of a national collaborative group of five major Australian universities that form the ATN (Australian Technology Network of Universities).
