Ingenuity by UQ Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

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ingenúity ISSUE 3, MAY 2013

A UQ engineering publication

Flipping the CLASSROOM

How UQ is transforming the engineering curriculum

welcome

LEARNING. DISCOVERY. ENGAGEMENT. IT’S WHAT DRIVES UQ ENGINEERING FORWARD. A focus on learning, rather than teaching, places the emphasis on the individual student and their collective university experience. We are driving change that sees students increasingly taking greater ownership of their learning, which presents huge opportunity, as well as new challenges. How do we support and encourage increased rigor, innovation and excitement within – and outside of – the curriculum? UQ Engineering education is evolving rapidly, and our ‘flipped classroom’ model (p20–23) is leading this international revolution in tertiary studies. Discovery, of course, refers to our world-class research, which continues to be recognised through the outstanding global rankings that our disciplines receive. While it is one thing to have research published and recognised – it is

preferable to be applying breakthrough discoveries that benefit the widerworld in which we live. Implementing our ideas adds massive value to the business, governments and communities we serve. Indeed, a growing presence of UQ Engineering spin-off companies, technologies and services that deliver significant global economic and social benefits is testament to the quality and impact of what we do. And it is the enhanced engagement we build with alumni and industry that will deliver enduring, mutually beneficial success – now, and into the future. Because quite simply, what has got us to where we are isn’t going to be enough for where we want to be.

UQ Engineering alumni, in so many ways, are helping to drive this change forward. Thanks for your support. Professor Graham Schaffer Executive Dean Faculty of EAIT

The stature of UQ’s alumni was part of the package that attracted me to the job of ViceChancellor, because I know that fantastic alumni are essential to any great global university. Since I started in October 2012, I’ve seen a plethora of evidence that our new, recent, and long-standing graduates are UQ’s greatest asset, and our greatest contribution to society.

and being the “go-to” place for industry seeking great graduates as well as research-based solutions.

Engineering alumni make a fantastic mark. Influential and respected in your professional spheres, you also lend your strategic insights, industry connections, and generosity, to lift the performance and reputation of your alma mater.

I hope to shake hands with many more UQ graduates; but even if I cannot meet you in person, you should feel certain that your loyalty to UQ is hugely appreciated, and that we will work hard to reciprocate the rewards you bring to your alma mater.

You will be crucial to UQ achieving big aspirations, such as being Australia’s most globally-connected university,

Professor Peter Høj Vice-Chancellor and President The University of Queensland

Moving deeper into this highlycompetitive global environment for research and learning, your passion and support will be increasingly vital to the success of students, research projects, and the institution as a whole. I have had the pleasure of meeting many alumni, and I thank you for making me feel at home at your university.

08 10

16 ingenuity

A UQ ENGINEERING PUBLICATION

editorial team Jonathan Cosgrove Claire Corones Madelene Flanagan

contributing writers

ingenuity ingenuity CONTENTS 04 News

What’s been happening at UQ Engineering?

07 Igniting the future of waste Finding innovative solutions to the sanitation challenge

08 Engineering honours abound

The high quality of UQ engineers on a global scale

Big data, bigger picture, better decisions... How UQ is harnessing the ‘visual’ in an increasingly technology-based education

design

20 Flipping the classroom

Challenging students to think and act like professional engineers

Viewpoint: The smart engineering 24 state Building a global centre of excellence for specialised engineering services

15 Empowering partnerships

30 Engineering class gifts

Not your everyday engineer An engineering degree can truly take you anywhere

photography Caitlin Moore Matt Palmer publishing information Print Works, Geebung Printed on Sovereign Gloss stock

Positioning UQ as the ‘University of Choice’ for women in Australia

28 Student spotlight

New collaborations foster world-class research and education at UQ

Wendy Oakley

27 Women in engineering

12 The BIG question

What is the future of coal as an energy source?

Ian Cameron David Cardell Claire Corones Joe Diniz Da Costa Claire Engle Kathryn Fagg Madelene Flanagan Chris Greig Nigel Hembrow Ove Hoegh-Guldberg Peter Høj Andrew King Peter Knights Damian Lillicrap Donna Lynn Carl Reidsma Graham Schaffer Meg Stephensen Jose Torero

Reinard Van Der Leij is carving a niche within the entrepreneurial sphere A philanthropic spirit is growing amongst our graduating students

Embracing life-long learning

UQ Engineering Executive Education takes off

contact alumni@eait.uq.edu.au CRICOS Provider Number 00025B

cover image Second year engineering student Alice Naughton © Caitlin Moore

news

UQ Alumna named ‘Woman of Influence’ Ms Yassmin Abdel-Magied (BE 2011) has been recognised for the contributions she has made as a female leader within the community.

National recognition for UQ academics Two UQ engineering researchers have received top Australian awards for their mining and medical feats. Professor Stuart Crozier (DEng 2002; PhD 1991) and Gideon Chitombo (PhD 1991) were both recipients of the 2012 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Clunies Ross Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious accolades recognising outstanding achievement in the application of science and technology for the benefit of the wider community. Professor Gideon Chitombo, based at the WH Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre at UQ was recognised for his contribution to improving efficiency and effectiveness of mineral extraction. Professor Crozier was acknowledged for his 20 years of contributions to the field of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Roughly 70% of all MRI systems manufactured worldwide since 1997 bear Crozier’s mark in some way, and he holds an impressive 30 patents in the field of medical imaging.

Listed amongst The Australian Financial Review and Westpac Group ‘Australia’s 100 Women of Influence’ in 2012, Ms Abdel-Magied was named ‘Young Leader’ in recognition of the youth forum she founded at the age of 16. Youth Without Borders supports youth issues and assists in the development of networks to achieve improved outcomes for young people and the communities within which they live. Miss Abdel-Magied was selected from over 350 nominations from around Australia. ‘Australia’s 100 Women of Influence’ awards recognised 100 outstanding women achievers across 10 categories for their contribution to developing a diverse and vibrant Australia. http://goo. gl/t1duw

http://goo.gl/nH8hs

Young mechanical engineer recognised for contributions to the profession Jessica Holz (BE 2009) has been named the 2013 Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year by Engineers Australia. “I’m absolutely delighted to win – I was surprised as it was so unexpected,” Jessica said after the announcement made at the Mechanical Engineers Awards dinner in Melbourne on 28 April 2013. But according to her employers, the win is not surprising. “Jessica is a motivated, enthusiastic and talented member of our staff and we are all so proud of her win, which she certainly deserves,” said Andrew Jenkinson, a Umow Lai Director and Manager of the Brisbane office where Jessica is employed.

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“Everyone at Umow Lai is thrilled with the news. Her win complements another she won last year, the Australian AirConditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Industry Association‘s (AIRAH) Future Leader Award. “I feel that awards like these will encourage a greater awareness and appreciation of mechanical engineers working in building services and ideally, will also inspire more women to enter the profession. “Since joining us last year, Jessica has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities through participation in activities in and out of the office, volunteering for additional positions within the company here in Brisbane as well as elsewhere. She has initiated a professional development support group for staff and is assisting with the development of standard mechanical design guidelines and exemplar report templates for use by Umow Lai nationally,” Andrew added.0

She holds a Queensland Committee position with AIRAH. Jessica is also the Treasurer for Engineers Australia’s Women in Engineering Queensland Group, and has mentored and presented to students at University Careers’ Evenings in Brisbane.

Sustainable mining in the Solomons UQ has joined industry partners Golder Associates and Sumitomo Metal Mining in a program designed to ensure a major mining project within the Solomon Islands preserves its diverse social and environmental ecosystems.

Half a billion reasons

TO GET ENGAGED Innovative technology, developed between UQ Engineering’s Smart Machines Group, and Joy Global Surface Mining is resulting in new value being added to the mining industry, estimated to be worth more than half-abillion dollars. The new technology – known as Trackshield – has been developed thanks to a partnership nurtured and supported by the Joy Global Chair of Mechanical Engineering at UQ. The current Chair, Professor Ross McAree, is the leader of UQ Smart Machines Group – and it has

been their work that developed Trackshield, which prevents machine operators from driving the bucket of the shovel into the track the machine sits on. RMD-STEM, an independent technology evaluation company, identified the value of the technology to the mining industry at between $202 million and $742 million. The Group’s work with Joy Global is a wonderful example of the mutually beneficial nexus that exists between university and private industry, which solves problems, provides solutions and drives significant economic benefits to companies and industry at large.

The large-scale nickel mine project has the potential to provide significant benefits to the economy of the Solomon Islands, however resource extraction activities that do exist can often come at a high environmental cost due to limited environmental regulations and small companies that operate with limited experience. The partnership with UQ will seek to minimise the mine’s impact on the local environment, through the implementation of sustainable mining practices – critical, given the local communities’ reliance on marine and terrestrial resources for food, transport, medicine and shelter.

Your place in the TOP 100 UQ remains one of only three Australian universities that feature in the global top 100 of all four major global university rankings. Representing just the top 0.5 per cent of the world’s higher education institutions, UQ’s consolidation amongst such an elite peer group is an outstanding achievement. Of particular note is the 2012-2013 Times Higher Education World University Rankings’ Engineering and Technology table, which judges teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. UQ is ranked 38 globally in terms of Engineering and Technology. This is great news for UQ Engineering alumni, with the quality of your degree increasingly being recognised on the international stage. ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

news

Andrew Buckley named 2012 Qld Professional Engineer of the Year In recognition of more than thirty years’ experience in the engineering industry, Cardno Managing Director, Andrew Buckley (BE 1980), was awarded the title of Queensland’s 2012 Professional Engineer of the Year.

Rio Tinto make $2.5 million investment in teaching and learning at UQ A $2.5m corporate partnership with mining giant Rio Tinto will drive a number of new and exciting student-based activities at UQ. As one of only three global university partners with Rio Tinto, UQ will use this investment to create a number of new projects that provide critical academic leadership and renewal, improve equity and access to university for a diverse range of students, and ultimately build a strong and sustainable talent pipeline for the resources industry. Amongst others, partnership projects will include: • “InspireU” – a summer engineering camp for Indigenous Australians to help effect a step-change in the recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders into engineering disciplines; • “Women in Engineering” – which will be vital in recruiting more female engineering students into UQ programs to ensure UQ becomes the Australian ‘University of Choice’ for young women interested in an engineering career; • “Future Mining Academics” – which will build a pipeline of outstanding mining academics at UQ to educate our leaders of tomorrow; and • “The Geotechnical Engineering Major” – which will fill a critical industry gap and has already attracted over 100 students since its launch last year.

An initiative of Engineers Australia, the Engineering Awards program aims to ‘identify, recognise and reward outstanding achievement, eminence in the practice of engineering, and conspicuous service to the profession.’ In July 1997, Andrew was appointed Managing Director of the Cardno Group – a position he still holds today. Since then, Cardno has grown from being a 200 person, Queensland based consulting civil engineering group, to being a publicly listed professional infrastructure and environmental services company with more than 7500 people in approximately 250 offices internationally. Cardno now has people working on projects in over 85 countries and revenue has grown from $14 million to $830 million under Andrew’s leadership.

http://goo.gl/aQyqf

2013 Australia Day honours abound for UQ engineers Five UQ Engineering alumni were honoured for their contributions to both their local and wider communities in this year’s Australia Day awards.

Clive Hildebrand (BE 1960)

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Clive Hildebrand (BE 1960) received a Member (AM) in the General Division for his significant service to business, and to tertiary education. UQ Adjunct Professor Guillermo Capati was awarded the Public Service Medal for his outstanding service to the sustainable water future of the Gold Coast and the South East Queensland region. Also awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division, Adjunct Professor David Hood (BE 1970), was honoured for significant service to environmental engineering as an educator and researcher. Professor Allan Paull (MEngSc 1995; PhD 1987; BSc 1980) and Yassmin Abdel-Magied (BE 2011) were named among the 39 Queenslanders in the Ambassadors Program, which captures the spirit of Australia Day by encouraging communities across Queensland to come together to celebrate the national day.

The ‘Reinvent the Toilet Challenge’ issued by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was extended to universities worldwide in an effort to develop ‘next generation’ toilets that can capture and process human faecal matter without the need for piped water, sewers or electrical connections. As part of an international, collaborative team, which includes researchers from the University of Toronto and the Western University (Canada), Professor Torero has undertaken this challenge with the intent to design and deploy a fully functioning toilet to communities in Bangladesh and South Africa. Professor Torero explains to Bill Gates how the reactor works.

IGNITING

the future of waste FINDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE SANITATION CHALLENGE

Four out of ten people worldwide don’t have access to safe and sterile toilets and poor sanitation causes millions of illnesses and deaths each year. Using innovative approaches that are based on fundamental engineering processes, Professor Jose Torero, Head, School of Civil Engineering is part of an international team participating in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ‘Reinvent the Toilet Challenge’. The team’s prototype, which resulted from Phase I Gates Foundation funding, on display at the Reinvent the Toilet Fair in Seattle, August 2012.

“I am responsible for the solid waste component and creating a solution for this,” Professor Torero says. “The prototype will include a reactor which will ignite the waste, in turn producing energy. The overall intention is to develop a toilet that treats solid waste streams through mechanical dehydration and smouldering that will dispose of the waste within 24 hours. Urine will pass through a sand filter and be disinfected with ultraviolet light. The matter which exists at the end of the process is a char like substance which can be used for fertilizer.” Professor Torero’s team was one of three projects to have made it through to Phase 2 Gates Foundation funding, and has been awarded $2.4 million to develop their proof of concept into a fully functioning and deployable prototype. “September is the deadline for our prototype to be deployed into Bangladesh and South Africa. Already, part of our research team is in Bangladesh scoping out the region and the communities,” Professor Torero says. “Once we have gathered the data and refined our functioning toilet, we will then travel to Delhi in February 2014, where all the finalists will showcase their projects to Bill Gates. We are encouraged to communicate with the other teams and to share our ideas and design,” Professor Torero says. “It has been amazing to work with the Gates Foundation and to be able to develop this project. The point of this challenge is not to have one singular winner; however, the aim is to help improve sanitation and hygiene in developing communities. I believe the final prototype will encompass a number of designs which have been merged by the researchers.” For more information on the ‘Reinvent the Toilet Challenge’, please visit the Gates Foundation website, http://www.gatesfoundation.org/ watersanitationhygiene

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

Engineering Honours ABOUND T

he University has a long history of accomplished alumni and each year has the challenging task of choosing from an impressive group of more than 200,000 graduates from over 130 countries to determine the winners of the UQ Alumni Awards. In 2012, Engineering graduates Professor Mark Kendall (Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology) and Professor Kin-Man Ho (Kingsford Environmental) were named the 2012 Young and International Alumnus of the Year respectively – clearly defining the high quality of UQ engineers on a global scale.

PROFESSOR MARK KENDALL THE INGENIOUS BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER Professor Kendall (PhD 1998; BE 1993) was named the 2012 Young Alumnus of the Year. Still in the early stages of his career, Professor Kendall has potentially created one of the world’s most revolutionary drugdelivery vehicles of modern times – the Nanopatch. His work and the Nanopatch itself may have a massive impact on the delivery of vaccines in the developing world by dramatically improving the prevention of major global diseases, such as malaria and influenza. Furthermore, it is set to make a huge difference in improving patient convenience and reduce the complications associated with needle phobia, needle stick injuries, and cross contamination – all of which are key global health issues. Professor Kendall has been a pioneer of biomedical and bioengineering innovation and a strong advocate for developing ideas beyond scientific knowledge to ensure their commercial viability. His work is beginning to have an enormous impact on global health.

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PROFESSOR KIN-MAN HO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PHILANTHROPIST Professor Kin-Man Ho (PhD 1994) was named the 2012 International Alumnus of the Year. He was appointed Adjunct Professor in the Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC) in March 2011. As Founder and Technical Director of Kingsford Environmental (Hong Kong), Professor Ho is a pioneer of the environmental engineering and wastewater management sector in South-East Asia and beyond. He continues to be a strong advocate for the promotion and

Professor Kendall accepting the 2012 Young Alumnus of the Year Award from Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Høj

understanding of sustainable environmental management. He is an example of someone who has applied and commercialised ideas rooted in the world of academia to make a difference to the lives of millions and has given back through outstanding philanthropic support to the University to further contribute to its goals of solving major global issues. In 2011, Professor Ho made a significant gift to the VC’s Emergency Student Welfare Fund. In 2012, he continued his philanthropic support, funding a PhD scholarship supporting new research and discovery in wastewater management.

2013 AWARDS EACH YEAR THE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES THE DIVERSE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR ALUMNI WITH A SUITE OF ALUMNI AWARDS. These awards recognise and celebrate alumni who have achieved outstanding success in their fields and made exemplary contributions to their community. The winners are announced in August and will be celebrated at the Courting the Greats Awards Ceremony held on Thursday 17 October 2013.

2013 UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND ALUMNI AWARD CATEGORIES: • Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards • International Alumnus of the Year • Distinguished Young Alumni Awards • Indigenous Community Impact Award • Alumnus of the Year Award (Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc) You are encouraged to nominate friends and colleagues who are deserving of recognition by the University and the wider UQ alumni community for the 2013 awards. For more information, and to nominate, please contact the Faculty’s Alumni & Community Engagement Manager, Claire Corones at c.corones@uq.edu.au or +61 7 3346 7533.

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

BIG data, BIGGER picture, BETTER decisions … WE LIVE IN AN EXCEPTIONALLY VISUAL WORLD, WHERE A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. UQ ENGINEERING PROFESSORS IAN CAMERON AND PETER KNIGHTS EXAMINE THE VISUAL CHALLENGE FACING UQ TODAY – HOW ARE WE HARNESSING THE VISUAL TO PRESENT “BIG” DATA THAT INFORMS AND SHAPES STUDENT KNOWLEDGE, JUDGEMENTS AND DECISIONS ACROSS AN INCREASINGLY TECHNOLOGY-BASED EDUCATION?

Above: Immersive 3D VR longwall underground mining (Courtesy: VR Space Pty Ltd) At right: A multiple source display wall of live feeds (Courtesy: Immersaview Pty Ltd)

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umans are continually confronted with a myriad of images that stir emotions, inform intellect, generate new ideas or cause us to take stock of our decisions. The 9/11 images were more than a decade ago but will leave deep impressions for ever. Such is the power of the visual. For these very reasons the question for engineers and scientists seeking to enhance learning, centres on what forms of visualization are most helpful to unravel complex issues, provide deep insights into phenomena and help drive better decisions? Today, visual power, combined with the immersive “virtual environments” (VEs), can take us into unfamiliar locations or unknown worlds, from observing nano-scale phenomena to cosmic-scale behaviour – and all scales between. VEs can place us in hazardous situations but without personal harm, and allow us to experience circumstances that inform our thinking and affect our decision-making. VEs can provoke innovation through experiencing multiple perspectives on a single issue through visual display. As educators, we ask ourselves how best can we utilize VEs? How do we meet the challenge of an explosion in student numbers engaged in highereducation, whilst exposing them to underground mining operations (where access demands small numbers), or to petroleum refining (where access is highly restricted, or not permitted at all)? The answer today is often through VEs, which allow students to experience mine design and operations in underground mines, or exposes them to the design features and layout principles that dominate process systems in petroleum refining. Such enhanced immersion technologies drive further depth and breadth of learning. So then, what exactly are we doing at UQ Engineering to support this new paradigm of learning? Later this year, the Faculty’s $140m

<< Today, visual power,

combined with the immersive “virtual environments” (VEs), can take us into unfamiliar locations or unknown worlds.

Advanced Engineering Building (AEB) comes online, with a key new learning area being the Immersive Learning Facility (ILF). The ILF will provide state-of-the-art virtual systems and immersive technologies for education, research and training. The ILF consists of an 8m diameter semi-circular theatre, with a 3.5m high projection surface, on which 3D and higher dimensional systems can be displayed in stereoscopic form via multiple digital projectors. This will provide functionality to run 3D models of a range of engineering designs, generated by industry or perhaps through student projects. The ILF will accommodate around 15 to 20 participants for a range of interactive immersive learning activities, including familiarity of infrastructure project designs, to operational decisionmaking, and emergency response planning. We also plan to stream live data from remote locations for a range of real-time activities. The ILF will also enhance UQ’s industry engagement through projects and research activities that benefit from high-end immersion and visualization. We envisage leading companies, and those working in the virtual reality, visual and immersive technologies sector to partner with the Faculty to provide commercial 3D environments and also investigate novel developments of immersive systems for new use-cases.

Besides the 3D virtual reality environments, many independent live feeds can be displayed simultaneously within the ILF. Feeds can be from PCs, handheld devices, IP cameras or live operational information from remote sites anywhere in the world. This multi-source technology is currently being deployed in some military and mining applications, and can have direct relevance to learning environments, collaborative design, advanced training environments, ‘desktop’ debriefs on strategy planning, and for capturing design rationales from many local or remote perspectives. Using such technology in clever ways will enhance learning, insights, promote critical thinking and sharpen decision making skills. It will address the challenges of closing the gap between engineering theory and practice in undergraduate education, as well as perceived weaknesses in critical thinking skills of both students and graduate engineers. We are entering an exciting period where the power of advanced visualization technologies is easily within the reach of undergraduate students - with the added benefits for research, training and industry engagement. The way we learn tomorrow, will be different to how we learn today – and it is all a far cry from how so many of us have taught and learned for generations. As engineering educators, it is an incredibly exciting time to exploit technology and push the boundaries of innovative learning practices. For students, the future of learning has already arrived. Rio Tinto and Xstrata Coal support this innovative program at UQ; however, we are always keen to develop effective partnerships with industry and alumni along this learning journey – if you would like to know more about participating in these new developments, please contact either Professor Ian Cameron: itc@uq.edu.au or Professor Peter Knights: p.knights@uq.edu.au

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

TheBIGquestion “ WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF COAL AS AN ENERGY SOURCE? ”

GLOBAL RESERVES OF COAL ARE PLENTIFUL, AND EXTRACTING IT TO PRODUCE ENERGY IS STILL RELATIVELY CHEAP. YET WITH GLOBAL DEMAND GROWING – PARTICULARLY TO SUPPORT THE ENERGY SECURITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES SUCH AS CHINA AND INDIA – THIS POSES A NUMBER OF INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES FOR THE WORLD.

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<< The challenge for

the world is develop policies and technologies that will encourage more efficient and sustainable utilisation of coal, for example, through the application of carbon capture and storage.

PROFESSOR CHRIS GREIG DIRECTOR – UQ ENERGY INITIATIVE

PROFESSOR JOE DINIZ DA COSTA UQ SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

ur capacity to efficiently harness the energy of fossil fuels has been a predominant factor in the development of modern society.

ovel, efficient technologies are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Today over 80% of the world’s primary energy consumption is from fossil fuels of which over one-third comes from coal. However, the unintended environmental consequences of burning coal, most recently climate change arising from CO2 emissions, have led to questions about its future in our energy mix. Coal remains an abundant, low-cost, energy-dense commodity and the cheapest way to generate electricity. Last year, global coal consumption rose by more than 5%. This was driven largely by the developing world, especially China and India. For several years now, China has, on average, constructed one large new coal fired power plant each week. That means each year they are starting up new capacity equal to Australia’s entire electricity generation! These new plants will operate for several decades. Energy demand generally and electricity demand specifically will continue to increase in the developing world, especially when many are still impoverished and over 1.3 billion people do not yet have access to electricity. We must transition to renewable energy and other lower emissions resources, but rumours of the death of coal would seem to be very premature. The challenge for the world is develop policies and technologies that will encourage more efficient and sustainable utilisation of coal, for example, through the application of carbon capture and storage.

It is currently possible to deploy conventional carbon capture technologies in coal power plants, but these technologies are energy intensive, and consequently coal power plants with carbon capture will consume more coal to deliver the same amount of power. Likewise electricity costs will increase. The question remains if our society will tolerate cost hikes to abate greenhouse gases. The counter argument is that there is no free lunch and someone now or in the future will have to pay for the impacts of climate change if carbon dioxide emissions continue at the same level or increase further. One process that is now becoming attractive for carbon capture is the combustion of coal with oxygen, instead of air. In this process called oxyfuel combustion, a highly concentrated carbon dioxide is produced which can be transported and stored in geological formations. Therefore, pure oxygen is now being considered as the future reactant of choice in clean energy delivery evidenced by the new Futuregen project in the USA or the CS Energy Oxyfuel Calide Plant in Queensland, Australia. Again the deployment of novel process is hit by efficiency impediments. For instance, oxygen production is an industrially mature process which is carried out by cryogenic air separation, an expensive and energy intensive process because it operates at very low temperatures (down to -200oC) and at elevated pressures. Hence, there is a need to develop novel solutions to make carbon capture a reality.

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

THE BIG QUESTION (CONTINUED)

PROFESSOR OVE HOEGH-GULDBERG DIRECTOR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; UQ GLOBAL CHANGE INSTITUTE

he scientific consensus is that pushing atmospheric CO2 above concentrations of 450 ppm will result in unmanageable and dangerous changes to the climate and ecological systems that support humanity. Whether you are talking about the Great Barrier Reef, floods, agriculture, heat stroke, or bushfire risk, the

projected rise in average global temperature as result of anthropogenic emissions represents a tremendous risk to the Australian economy and the well-being of its citizens. Uncomfortable as this consensus is, there is little to no credible science to support an alternative view. Consequently, it becomes an imperative that we must rapidly reduce emissions of CO2 if we are to avoid dangerous or unmanageable climate change. The big question is: by how much and by when? The answer to this trillion-dollar question is extremely sobering. In order to stabilise CO2 concentrations at 450 ppm, we have around 700 GT of CO2 left to commit to the atmosphere before we push it beyond safe limits. Given that human civilisation currently emits around 30 GT of CO2 each year that means that we have a little over 20 years in which to reduce global emissions to zero. This essentially sets the design specification for the greatest engineering challenge of all time. It also allows us to make rational decisions about what

might or might not be possible. For example, unless we can develop and implement technology to capture and store all of the CO2 from fossil fuels such as coal over the next 20 years, then using fossil fuels such as coal we will drive our planet and its civilisation into an unmanageable and dangerous future. Not a great legacy to leave for the kids! No doubt many will find these conclusions difficult. Arguments about disadvantaged people not having access to electricity, or the un-profitability of some industries without fossil fuels, must be rationally considered in the broader context of the extreme disadvantage and impact on people, industry and the economy of a hostile future climate. What is clear, however, is that we need to tackle this grand challenge with clear and evidence-based decision making, increasing our investment in the widest range of options from geological sequestration to advanced solar thermal power systems. We must also avoid making this issue one of politics, especially when it is so important to the future of our country and its citizens.

Empowering PARTNERSHIPS NEW COLLABORATIONS FOSTER WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH CAPABILITY AND EDUCATION AT UQ

Q Engineering continues to be an international leader in teaching and research, with key partnerships across government and industry supporting the Faculty to establish four innovative engineeringfocused Research Centres in 2012. The Centres are responding to the growing demand for qualified engineers both locally and globally, and will drive new solutions and technologies that confront the grand challenges of the 21st Century. This commitment to new knowledge and leadership to benefit future generations makes this an exciting time for UQ and for the growth of Queensland’s knowledge-based future.

Innovation is funded by a $10m gift from Dow. The newly-established Centre will pursue an imaginative program of research and collaboration aimed at harnessing solutions designed to confront the big sustainability challenges of the 21st Century. More: http://goo.gl/NXoFD

UQ RIO TINTO ALCAN (RTA) BAUXITE AND ALUMINA CENTRE The UQ RTA Bauxite and Alumina Technical Centre, supported by Rio Tinto Alcan, will further enhance UQ’s capacity for metallurgical engineering research. The partnership provides the opportunity for UQ to engage with the worldwide alumina industry and build on its already established capabilities by undertaking fundamental and applied research, and continuing professional education. More: http://goo.gl/jocig

DOW CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING INNOVATION

CENTRE FOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

A ground-breaking initiative between UQ and the Dow Chemical Company will bring together cutting-edge research expertise in energy, water and sustainability with world-class science and engineering education. As part of a new strategic partnership, the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering

Established within UQ’s School of Civil Engineering, the new Centre for Geotechnical Engineering has been created thanks to support from Golder Associates, Rio Tinto, Anglo Gold Ashanti and BHP Billiton. The funding will support Chairs in geomechanics and rock mechanics,

Left: Dow President and Chair Andrew Liveris (DSc 2005; BE 1975) and Head, School of Chemical Engineering, Professor Paul Lant Right: Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry and Rio Tinto’s Chief Advisor Geotechnical Martyn Robotham.

lecturing positions in rock mechanics and hydrogeology, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, and specialist geotechnical testing equipment. The Centre will produce much sought after civil and mining engineering graduates with a specialisation in geotechnical engineering and meet the strong demand by the Australian construction and mining industries. More: http://goo.gl/ZGfH3

NIHON SUPERIOR CENTRE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRONIC MATERIALS (NS CMEM) The Nihon Superior Centre for the Manufacture of Electronic Materials has been established to bring world-class research capability to the manufacture of electronic materials, whilst enabling UQ and Nihon Superior to continue their significant history of strategic and collaborative research. The Centre will specialise in the development of lead-free soldering and brazing alloys and the manufacture of materials for energy storage and transport materials including hydrogen storage and novel solid-state anode materials. The Centre has a strong focus on commercially relevant and environmentally sustainable research. More: http://goo.gl/YKndQ

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

NOT YOUR

EVERYDAY ENGINEER AN ENGINEERING DEGREE CHALLENGES STUDENTS AND GRADUATES TO THINK LATERALLY AND LOGICALLY, ASKING THEMSELVES NOT ONLY ‘WHAT IS THE PROBLEM’ BUT ‘HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS?’ THE DIVERSITY OF THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION OFTEN LEADS TO NEW AND EXCITING CAREER PROSPECTS, AND MANY ENGINEERS FIND THEMSELVES WORKING IN A WIDE VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL FIELDS AND ENVIRONMENTS AFTER GRADUATION. AS FIVE OF OUR ENGINEERING GRADUATES WILL ATTEST – AN ENGINEERING DEGREE CAN TRULY TAKE YOU ANYWHERE.

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Kathryn Fagg Board Member – Reserve Bank of Australia Chair – Melbourne Recital Centre BACHELOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, 1982

athryn is an experienced senior executive and a current board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia. Most recently, Kathryn was with the Linfox Logistics group and with BlueScope Steel as President (Asia), based in Singapore. Before BlueScope Steel, she was at ANZ in executive roles, including Managing Director, Banking Products. She has consulted for McKinsey & Co and commenced her career with Esso Australia after completing her Chemical Engineering degree at UQ. She also has a Master’s degree in Commerce in Organisation Behaviour. From 7 May 2013, Kathryn was appointed as a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Board for a five year term. She is currently

Chair of the Melbourne Recital Centre, and lives in Melbourne. SCHOOL, I was one of those kids “whoATloved maths and science and really enjoyed problem solving – but knew I didn’t want to study medicine even though that was deemed the obvious choice at the time. When I first enrolled at UQ, it was for a science degree in physics and maths. But during orientation week, after talking to lots of people, both faculty and fellow students, I decided I’d rather pursue a more vocational degree. Fortunately, I was able to do that and I switched to engineering. The great set of skills you develop during studying and working as an engineer is structured problem solving, often from first principles. Almost every day, as complex issues arise, I ask myself, “how do I think about this problem”. Now, it is often “strategic”, “people” and “organisational” issues that I deal with, rather than “technical” issues, but well-developed problem solving skills mean I can tackle most situations calmly, confidently and cheerfully. For those interested in moving outside traditional engineering pathways, I do think it is important to know what you really love doing, and if necessary, then

build a bridge to the new area. In my case, it turned out I loved organisation and business building, so a Master’s degree in Organisation Behaviour, a stint as a management consultant, a role on boards, and a willingness to take risks allowed me to move into senior executive roles across a range of sectors.

”

<< The great set of skills you develop during studying and working as

an engineer is structured problem solving, often from first principles.

Nigel Hembrow Corporate Sustainability, ESD & Energy Efficiency (Asia) – Amida Recruitment Founding Member, The Hub BACHELOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, 1999 GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING, 2002 GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING, 2003

fter seven years of engineering and project management in the Australian and UK property industry, Nigel networked, interned (in social enterprise development) and graduated from business school in Melbourne and Shanghai. He then moved to Singapore, where the new venture and innovation industry

beckoned. Nigel now focuses on highpotential and scalable new ventures, largely in the environmental sustainability solutions, web and mobile applications industry. Nigel is currently on the Global Alumni Council for Melbourne Business School, and is also the President of the Singapore Chapter.

“

I ALWAYS SCORED highly in maths and science, and my father was also an engineer. As a teenager I was way too busy with my sports to experiment with other fields so engineering was the default option. My ability to apply logic must have stemmed from my engineering days. I see it clearly in the way I approach problem identification and solution development in the world of product development and product marketing. The world is full of interesting opportunities. Broaden your skill base. Give yourself flexibility and adaptability. I feel I have a much better understanding now of how the world works and what the world needs for it to be a better place thanks to my engineering background.

”

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

NOT YOUR EVERYDAY ENGINEER (CONTINUED)

Damien Lillicrap Head of Investment Strategy – QSuper BACHELOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, 1988

amien is Head of Investment Strategy at QSuper, one of the largest Superannuation (Pension) funds in Australia. The team he leads is responsible for setting the investment strategy for over $40 billion worth of investments. He has just released his first book through UQPress, “Kitchen Table Economics & Investing” and manages the website “Bare Naked Economist”, which aim to strip back the jargon from economics and to present the concepts in simple everyday language. He has studied accounting and is qualified as a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA). LARGELY DRIFTED into engineering “– I Ihad been good at maths and science at school so people suggested that I should do engineering. Building things sounded interesting but I have to admit that I didn’t have a good idea of job opportunities and salaries relative to other professions or any of the things that I would base a decision on now. Once in engineering, chemical

Andrew King Director – EECO Pty Ltd Author – Engibear’s Dream (Children’s Book on Engineering) BACHELOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, 1985 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (CHEMICAL ENGINEERING), 2003

ndrew has qualifications in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering and he is passionate about the integral role of engineering in environmental management and sustainability. Andrew really enjoys his family life and dreaming; Engibear was created while playing with his children in the backyard sandpit and they encouraged him to write a book.

AS A SCHOOL STUDENT I visited the “Chemical Engineering building during a UQ Open Day. I loved the feel of the place; the architecture and the catwalks, boilers and distillation columns integrated into the building (not to mention the fluidised bed

18 ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

sounded like the most interesting of the different streams. While I did work as an engineer for 5 years and enjoyed it, I have moved across into finance (back when Australia could never make money simply by digging stuff out of the ground and selling it!). Initially the systems skills that I picked up in the course aided this move, but more and more I found that the disciplined logic from the course and the instilled belief that I could find a quantitative answer for any problem (and understand the inherent potential error in this solution) allowed me to provide solutions that facilitated my progression in the industry. The key takeaway for me is to try to understand your strengths and to look for opportunities where you can utilise them. These opportunities have the potential to lead onto pathways that you are interested in. From there work hard, and stay on the lookout for opportunities. I’ve always had a potential 5 year plan, but inevitably have ended up taking an alternate fork in the road that I wouldn’t have thought was likely to have arisen when I scoped my plans.

”

popcorn machine). It all looked so interesting I knew exactly what I wanted to do. In terms of writing for children, I think that my project management skills have been very useful. It is surprising how complex bringing together a children’s book really is. Young children have always been interested in engineering. How often do we stand outside construction sites with our kids watching and discussing the goings on for ages? However, there are very few children’s books about engineering and even fewer featuring characters that are engineers. Engibear was created because he (or the equivalent) did not seem to exist and I wanted to share “engineering” (my job) with my kids while they were still young. As a profession, I think engineering has a huge role to play in our future. I also think that we and our engineering skills will be of most value if we recognise ourselves as engineers yet allow ourselves to be further integrated into the broader community and provide a range of functions that utilise our transferrable skills.

”

Have you taken an alternative path following your engineering degree? We’d love to hear from you at alumni@eait.uq.edu.au

David Cardell Executive Director (Natural Resources) – ANZ BACHELOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (HONS), 1991

avid is an Executive Director for ANZ in Natural Resources. In 2012, he returned from heading the Natural Resources practice in South and South East Asia for ANZ and before this he was responsible for Europe and the Americas. His clients have included, among others, BHP, Rio Tinto, AngloCoal, Centennial Coal, Phelps Dodge, Bayan Resources and Adaro Energy. Before joining ANZ, David spent three years with Macquarie Bank in its Corporate Advisory team after completing his MBA at Melbourne Business School. David is a Chartered Professional Engineer (retired) with experience at Mobil Oil and Gutteridge Haskins & Davy and holds a

first class honours degree in civil engineering from UQ. A YOUTHFUL DESIRE to improve the “world combined with a fascination for the physical sciences guided my choice to study engineering. I think the approach and style of engineering is more important than pure book knowledge. It’s the understanding of how to break down a problem into solvable chunks that stands

out compared to many of the other disciplines that I now deal with (like accountants, lawyers, economists). This means I’ve always been confident of innovating and delivering for our clients and from that, I guess I’ve been perceived as ‘resilient’. I think my time in engineering has really allowed me to not sweat the small stuff and get things done – it’s a lot harder to improvise a solution on a construction site than rework a corporate funding platform. My advice on careers is the same inside engineering as outside of it; be disciplined about improving yourself, dream big dreams and passionately pursue them. I’ve been incredibly fortunate in the variety of things I’ve done both in engineering with Mobil Oil and GHD and in banking with Macquarie and ANZ. I’ve chugged beers all over the world, worked with inspirational people and been lucky to complete some wonderful projects (building, designing, financing and advising). Without my time at UQ and the methodical creativity of engineering I don’t think my career (and life) would have been nearly as wonderful.

”

Leaders in financial advice. Tynan Mackenzie Pty Ltd has been providing financial advice to UQ alumni and staff for over 18 years. After working together for so many years we are excited to announce that Tynan Mackenzie advisers will be moving to another leader in financial advice, ipac securities limited. We also welcome a new member to our team, Linda Bird (former Academic Registrar, UQ) as a Senior Relationship Manager for the University Sector. We will continue to provide quality financial advice on: • superannuation strategies for university defined benefit funds • Centrelink and tax advice • redundancy advice • investment and portfolio advice, and • capital preservation strategies.

George Tynan

Stephen Welsh

For more information or to arrange a no cost, obligation free financial consultation please contact Linda Bird on

07 3223 9300 or Lindab@tynmack.com.au

Issued by Tynan Mackenzie Pty Ltd ABN 94 066 074 744 AFS Licence No. 230764 The information in this document is of a general nature and does not take into account your individual needs and objectives. Whilst Tynan Mackenzie Pty Ltd believe that the information contained herein is correct, no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness is given and, except for liability under statute which cannot be excluded, no liability for errors and omissions is accepted. April 2013.

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

cover story

Flipping the CLASSROOM HOW UQ IS TRANSFORMING THE ENGINEERING CURRICULUM by Carl Reidsema Director of Teaching and Learning (Engineering)

ENSURING THAT THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERING LEADERS BENEFIT FROM A WORLD-CLASS LEARNING EXPERIENCE IS A RESPONSIBILITY WE TAKE SERIOUSLY. THE CURRENT GROWTH IN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL TOOLS, COUPLED WITH A RECENT REVIEW OF OUR FIRST-YEAR ENGINEERING CURRICULUM, HAS PROVIDED US WITH AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP AN INDUSTRY FOCUSED, HANDS-ON PROGRAM. STUDENT LEARNING HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AT UQ – CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO THINK AND ACT LIKE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS FROM THEIR VERY FIRST DAY.

20 ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

roducing the next generation of innovative engineers in Australia requires a rethinking of our approach to engineering education. While university lectures are an efficient form of instruction, after 25+ years of educational research it is clear that while they are efficient, they are also ineffective, and more about providing information than obtaining real knowledge.

A new first year course at UQ, ENGG1200: Engineering Modelling and Problem Solving, is challenging the traditional lecture and “flipping the classroom”, by using innovative online tools that support authentic team-based design projects on-campus. Society and industry are demanding that engineering graduates are not only technicallyskilled, but imaginative, collaborative, and confident professionals who take personal responsibility to lead the future. Leveraging the flipped classroom concept allows us to develop high value hands-on learning experiences that can deepen our students’ understanding of fundamental theory whilst also improving their engineering abilities. Professor Ronald Barnett (University of London), a recognized authority on the conceptual and theoretical understanding of universities and higher education, has argued that while we may be

22 ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

good at teaching technical theory, real knowledge comes through the connection of theory to practice with experiences that are situated as close to real professional practice as is possible. With this in mind, a collaborative teaching and learning team at UQ have developed ENGG1200, a new first year engineering course that has been conceived with an emphasis on student ownership of learning as an explicit and fundamental part of the course narrative. While having a firm understanding of the learning philosophy, the team also had to tackle the significant logistical problem of engaging over a thousand students in extensive active-learning to support their understanding of engineering modelling, problem solving and materials fundamentals. To achieve this, the curriculum has been radically transformed and the traditional two lectures per week for thirteen weeks had to go. The resulting “Flipped Classroom” was created out of a necessity, to coherently integrate theory with practical, hands-on learning activities. A “Flipped Class” requires students to own their learning, as they are expected to prepare before arriving at an activity – as professional engineers do. Learning happens “everywhere”, and to support that reality myself,

Associate Professor Lydia Kavanagh, and the Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (CEIT) are developing on-line environments enabling students to learn wherever and whenever it is convenient for them – to have ‘minds-on time’, which complements their ‘hands-on time’ in the redesigned active-learning spaces on campus at UQ. Professor Phil Long from CEIT is an enthusiastic supporter of the course, and his unit shares our team’s philosophy of making learning visible to both the student and the instructor. CEIT’s partnership with engineering is pushing the developmental boundaries of educational technologies, and is providing students with access to new tools and capabilities specifically designed to enhance this new learning paradigm. This includes new software tools that facilitate the formation of teams – an essential structural building block in the architecture of learning – allowing for team membership based on specific criteria like individual leadership and maths skills, as well as important demographic variables. CEIT with the guidance of Associate Professor Kavanagh, have also built TeamWorkinAction℠, a self-paced on-line learning module that supports student project team work by leading students through the different team roles and the functions needed to make working together efficient and productive. Students often haven’t had direct guidance in how a team works – an essential job skill when entering the engineering workforce.

FLIPPED CLASSROOM THE FLIPPED CLASSROOM IS A MODEL OF TEACHING IN WHICH A STUDENT’S HOMEWORK IS THE TRADITIONAL LECTURE VIEWED OUTSIDE OF CLASS ON A VODCAST. THEN CLASS TIME IS SPENT ON INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING WHICH WOULD INCLUDE WHAT WOULD TRADITIONALLY BE VIEWED AS A STUDENT’S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.

AS PART OF ENG1200, STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN INTENSIVE WEEKLY HANDS-ON ACTIVE LEARNING WORKSHOPS, WITH THEORY DELIVERED VIA AN INNOVATIVE UQ DEVELOPED VIDEO-BASED ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM. Students are tasked with creating both a structural (Creo CAD/CNC) and a behavioural (Matlab Simulink) model (or virtual prototype), which allows The Faculty has appointed an Educational Designer in e-Learning, Ms Esther Fink, who has been instrumental in developing the online support for the course. An online “Learning Pathway” system has been designed to provide the engineering content (the traditional classroom lecture) online in the form of 22 short videos that can be assessed in weekly online quizzes. Each week, students are expected to work through the online materials and come prepared for extensive two-hour workshops using the week’s concepts. Student learning via this blend of online and active learning was validated by a traditional mid-term formal examination, yielding good results. How students used social skills to coordinate complex project work with others in order to tackle technical problems also provided authentic dimensions and revealed areas of growth in their learning. Although the notion of the Flipped Classroom is still in its infancy, the University is already ahead of the global field. We believe its implementation will allow us to maintain pace with an ever-evolving industry marketplace, which in turn is demanding more from our graduates, as well as providing a more engaging and exciting learning experience for our young engineering students As a result of the University’s bold and pioneering efforts to redesign the first year engineering program, universities such as

Stanford, Purdue, and Pittsburgh are partnering with UQ to collaborate on research into transforming and improving engineering education globally. These world-first developments are also inspiring UQ’s alumni and industry partners – companies like Boeing and ABB – who have made significant contributions to kick-start this learning revolution. Given such an exciting beginning we are now working hard to acheive greater industry engagement and support to enable this much awaited transformation of engineering education. UQ Engineering is now among the most progressive programs in the world, combining the latest understanding of the design of physical and virtual learning spaces with the science of learning to craft a leading edge program that stands out not just in Australia, but also around the world. Acknowledged as one of the most globally innovative engineering educational programs, this transformational change to our first-year curriculum is setting international precedents. This ‘Flipped Classroom’ model is leading the international revolution in tertiary education, and it’s starting right her – at UQ. It’s certainly an exciting time to be a UQ Engineering student. If you’re interested in partnering with the Faculty to develop more opportunities in this space, please contact Jonathan Cosgrove on j. cosgrove@uq.edu.au or +61 7 3365 4302.

the engineering team to make predictions about the design performance, cost and quality of their proposed solution prior to making commitments to manufacture of the product. They are then tasked with building a physical prototype that utilises a component that they design and machine on one of the eight 3-axis CNC machines within the ABB Student Technology Centre. In 2012, Boeing Australia provided support to fund the ‘Aerial Deployment’ project, which required students to deliver an airborne “payload” over a barrier and into a specific location. The motor was programmed by the students based on calculated parameters required to achieve a target output trajectory, obtained by constructing a behavioural simulation model in MatLab Simulink. Students were also required to structurally model and CNC machine launch mechanism components using PTC’s Creo Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

viewpoint

QUEENSLAND the smart engineering state BUILDING A GLOBAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR SPECIALISED ENGINEERING SERVICES by Professor Graham Schaffer Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

24 ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

THE RESIZING OF THE RESOURCES INDUSTRY AND THE ASSOCIATED INCREASE IN INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO SERVICE THIS GROWTH IS DRIVING AN INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR BOTH ENGINEERING SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN QUEENSLAND. IN 2012, AS SPECIAL ADVISOR FOR THE QUEENSLAND NEW SMART ENGINEERING STATE INITIATIVE, I DEVELOPED A REPORT THAT PROPOSES A VISION AND PLAN TO SUSTAIN AND FURTHER DEVELOP ENGINEERING IN QUEENSLAND. THE REPORT WAS INITIATED BY THE QUEENSLAND CHIEF SCIENTIST AND COMMISSIONED BY THE PREMIER TO DETERMINE WHETHER QUEENSLAND – AS A CLUSTER OF FIRMS, UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS – CAN PROVIDE GLOBAL SCALE AND SPECIALISED ENGINEERING SERVICES TO COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY.

<< We need to

be excellent, we need to be concentrated, we need to be global and we need to be specialised

OPPORTUNITIES Engineering underpins the Queensland economy. Mining, construction and manufacturing are the engineering intensive industries, contributing the greatest share to gross state product. With over 33,000 professional engineers now employed in Queensland, the number of engineers as a proportion of all employment has increased by 40% over the last decade, meanwhile the unemployment rate for the engineering workforce is 25% less than general unemployment. The growth rate of engineering employment in Queensland has also outpaced the national growth rate. The majority of Queensland’s engineering workforce is employed in Brisbane, which has the third highest number of engineers of Australian cities, behind Melbourne and Sydney and the second highest proportion of engineers, behind Perth. Engineering provides resilient employment because engineering skills are transferable across industries and geographical locations, and is therefore

less susceptible than other occupations to changes in the business cycle. In addition, many of the engineering occupations are in areas which are highly knowledge intensive, such as bioengineering, ICT, elaborate manufacturing and resource extraction. This provides opportunities for the accelerated growth of human capital.

RISKS There is some risk that the engineering employment demand will decrease towards the end of the decade as the mines and gas fields mature because the engineering intensive portion of the resizing of the minerals industry is the early part, during feasibility, design, procurement and construction. A second threat to engineering is the increasing capacity to procure engineering services from low cost countries, although this applies more to the codified, less complex end of the engineering services spectrum and less to the high value, ideation intensive, creative component that depends largely on the application of tacit knowledge.

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

<< The Queensland

Government should partner with industry, universities and the research sector to create a new, world leading, cluster of engineering expertise

Professor Schaffer at the official launch of the report at Customs House in November, 2012.

THE FUTURE To be truly effective on a global scale, it is not feasible to be excellent at everything. Instead, we need to build specialised strengths in fields where there is genuine comparative or competitive advantage. We need to be both discriminating and selective in the fields we specialise in and the expertise that we develop. In essence, we need to be excellent, we need to be concentrated, we need to be global and we need to be specialised. Therefore, the Report recommends the development of a cluster of companies, suppliers, universities and research organisations providing global scale, specialised engineering services in specific fields where Queensland can build a competitive advantage and compete internationally. This will deliver new knowledge-based jobs, exports and revenue for the State by building on the existing critical mass of engineering expertise and re-shaping it for the future.

BUILDING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE It is proposed that specific fields where Queensland can build competitive advantage in specialised engineering services in order to compete internationally include –

26 ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

• Mining and minerals • Unconventional gas extraction • Infrastructure in the tropics and sub-tropics • Bioengineering • Engineering education These five engineering fields need to be supported by four core competencies in – • Technically-grounded engineering design • Computational engineering • Sustainability • Project management

NEW PARTNERSHIPS Starting from the premise that knowledge and innovation are the basis of economic growth, the report recommends that the Queensland Government should partner with industry, universities and the research sector to create a new, world leading, cluster of engineering expertise. Specifically, the Government should: 1 Support the Queensland Investment Attraction Service to retain tier one companies in the mining, minerals, unconventional gas, construction and biotechnology industries and to attract new companies to relocate to Queensland; 2 Procure to encourage innovation through a demand-driven innovation

policy for Government as an intelligent and demanding customer; 3 Establish a collaborative virtual network – the Queensland Engineering Innovation Network – based on a robust business case to enhance collaboration between industry, the universities, research organisations and government; 4 Invest in people and equipment to develop world-leading expertise in specialised fields and selected competencies; 5 Maintain the university engineering system by providing essential teaching and research infrastructure on the State’s university campuses through the redevelopment of obsolete building stock; and 6 Develop human capital by investing in postgraduate coursework programs in each of the specialised fields. I thank those across industry, government, education and research communities that I have already had extensive involvement with and look forward to your ongoing contributions and support as we continue to build strength where there is competitive advantage. A copy of the full report can be viewed online – http://goo.gl/4xaoH.

WOMEN

in engineering POSITIONING UQ AS THE UNIVERSITY OF CHOICE FOR WOMEN IN AUSTRALIA

<< This is a unique and long overdue opportunity to make a step change in the enrolments of women in engineering, a change that is vital to the ongoing health and renewal of the engineering profession. >> ELSE SHEPHERD (BE 1965): FORMER CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF POWERLINK QUEENSLAND, MEMBER – UQ WOMEN IN ENGINEERING ADVISORY BOARD

Q is set to “change the game” for women in engineering, thanks to the establishment of a newly formed program, which will position UQ as the ‘University of Choice’ for women in Australia. In partnership with Rio Tinto, and the members of the Australian Power Institute (API) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), the Women in Engineering Program aims to increase female enrolments in UQ Engineering programs from the current 19% to 30% within 10 years. This will mean over 300 outstanding females graduating annually from our programs. Donna Lynn and Meghan Stephensen (two female engineers) have commenced a job share role to lead the Program. Donna has a BE (Electronic) from UWA and a MEngSc (Project Management) from UNSW. She previously worked in various mining industry roles in Port Hedland and Kalgoorlie for 16 years. Meghan has a BE (Mechanical & Space) from UQ and worked in the infrastructure sector for five years. Both Meghan and Donna are returning to the workforce

The University of Queensland’s Women in Engineering program is proudly sponsored by:

following a period at home spent caring full time for their young families. “Our roles focus on working with high-schools to convey to young women a sense of the great possibilities and satisfaction that an engineering career can provide. We’re letting them know about the many ways engineering delivers creative and innovative solutions for the ever-changing challenges of our world, and how it’s essential in making real the visions of people everywhere.” said Donna. “We feel very fortunate to be here, surrounded by the energy, passion and resources of so many. The work of increasing female participation in engineering is a long-term vision linking past, present and future endeavours – working alongside the Program partners, industry, students and alumni we feel confident of achieving what will be a remarkable step for the University.” said Meghan. Inspired by the Program’s vision, engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff have decided to support scholarships at UQ for women engineering students

that have been educationally disadvantaged due to financial circumstances or geographical location. “We know that quality is enhanced by diversity,” said Professor Graham Schaffer, Executive Dean of the Faculty. “At UQ, we’re proud to be working towards a more equitable balance of male and female engineers, which will greatly benefit the University and the engineering profession.” If you’re interested in engaging with Women in Engineering at UQ, please contact Meghan and Donna on + 61 7 3365 3574 or wie@uq.edu.au.

Donna Lynn (left) and Meghan Stephensen

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

student spotlight

From BUSINESS IDEAS to SUCCESSFUL STARTUPS Since 2011, the UQ “IDEA Network” has been nourishing startups, forging partnerships, and springing ideas into action. With a mission to assist aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their ideas into successful ventures, software engineering student Reinard Van Der Leij (President, IDEA Network), is carving a niche for himself within the entrepreneurial sphere.

I noticed the IDEA Network stall at UQ Market Day and was instantly sold on the potential of the idea. It aims to be a stepping stone for everyone with great ideas and aspirations. By forging a proactive alliance with our partners, we aim to build rewarding relationships amongst our members and assist their growth through a collaborative process. In conjunction with the executive team, I help set the direction for the club and organise our events, marketing, networking, sponsors, IT and more. After joining the IDEA Network, I began to realise there was a small, but growing start-up scene in Brisbane. To try to provide the greatest value for members, we forged partnerships with i.lab (a government supported technology start up business incubator service) and most other major start-up hubs in Brisbane. At the time I was attending multiple networking events a month, and was lucky to be invited to become a student mentor and software intern at i.lab after having met with the Program Director.

When I was young, I hadn’t heard of entrepreneurship, but I dreamt of becoming an inventor. Really, they are synonymous. Unlike other degrees that focus predominantly on understanding theory, engineering is also quite practical, and it’s the right degree for people who want to create things. The logical mindset we’re taught to adopt helps assess projects with an eye for detail, and realistically plan for their implementation. The connections and work discipline I have acquired at UQ so far have been invaluable. Perhaps the greatest value is the technical knowledge from both degrees, which is relevant to the type of entrepreneurship I’m pursuing. Not to mention UQ’s reputation!

<< The connections and

work discipline I have acquired at UQ so far have been invaluable.

REINARD VAN DER LEIJ: A SNAPSHOT Bachelor of Engineering, Software Engineering (Class of 2014) Bachelor of Business Management (Class of 2014) 2009 – PRESENT Co-Founder – Oxodise A premium design and programming studio for web and mobile content, specialising in web development for desktop and mobile platforms, graphic design and iPhone development. 2011 – PRESENT President, UQ IDEA Network 2012 – PRESENT Student Mentor and Software Intern – i.lab

28 ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

When I graduate, I hope to start a new business. I’ve been working on a few software concepts that I’d love to develop further. With a bit of work, perhaps they’ll resonate with people and turn into successful businesses. I might also travel to the Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay area. Become a member of the UQ Idea Network, or a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs. Sign up online: http://uqidea.com/membership/

Sally Bledsoe

Justin Golding

People Partner North, NAB

Supply and Logistics Manager, QGC

WHY DO FUTURE LEADERS CHOOSE THE MBA RANKED NO 1 IN AUSTRALIA? Business credentials, cutting-edge research programs, award winning academics, industry ties and flexible learning opportunities. No wonder The Economist ranks our MBA Number 1 in Australia, and Asia Pacific. Graduates like Justin and Sally also agree. Justin took the full-time option and gained valuable insights into latest thinking in diverse fields of management. He also enjoyed being constantly challenged throughout his study and the stimulating interchange of ideas with fellow students. The flexibility of part-time study, including some weekends, meant Sally could meet travel, professional and personal commitments, while gaining the skills and inspiration she needed to advance into a new career.

2013 MBA INFORMATION EVENINGS 1 MAY, 25 SEPTEMBER & 23 OCTOBER Learn all you need to know at one of our MBA Information Evenings. Register at business.uq.edu.au/mba Or contact UQ Business School on 07 3346 8100, or email mba@business.uq.edu.au

business.uq.edu.au

UOQ 1382 MBA [P] 254x180_Ingenuity Mag.indd 1

11/04/13 4:09 PM

ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

Engineering

CLASS

GIFTS A GROWING TRADITION

philanthropic spirit is growing amongst our graduating students, as they look to “pay forward” the opportunities they’ve benefited from at UQ through a joint Class Gift. Since 2011, the annual graduating Engineering Class Gift program has allowed students to leave a legacy of their time at University by supporting a project, which resonates with them and impacts future students. The gift also promotes unity amongst the Class as they take their first steps towards becoming UQ alumni. In 2012, almost sixty engineering students (and staff) gave to the Class Gift. The initiative garnered $6,028.08 – almost double the previous year’s total. Their gift built a unique commemorative “engineering” timepiece, which is now

<< Engineering

students pioneered the University’s first ever graduating class gift

displayed within the Hawken Engineering Building – making sure future students will never be late for class again! This effort followed the Engineering Class of 2011, who pioneered the University’s first ever graduating class gift, as they raised funds for a keynote engineering address to bring together students and alumni. The address – held in a city venue last year – was delivered by three industry leaders and UQ alumni: David Barbagallo (BSurv 1981 – CEO, Endeavour Foundation), Andrew Buckley (BE 1980 – Managing Director, Cardno), and Terry Effeney (BEc 1990; BE 1982 – CEO, ENERGEX). The speakers shared their thoughts on the excitement and challenges that come with leading large and complex organisations. To recognise the students’ support, a photograph of the event was mounted in the Hawken Engineering Building, and includes a list of donors who gave to the 2011 Gift. The students place much greater emphasis on taking part rather than the amount given and, as this program continues to grow with each Class, we’re looking forward to how future graduating years will leave their mark on UQ – the University that has helped shape their future. Below: 2011 Engineering Class Gift Address, Brisbane Left: Never late again... the timepiece

30 ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

embracing

life-long learning

Executive Education site visits in Sydney, February 2013

UQ ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE EDUCATION BY CLAIRE ENGLE, EXECUTIVE EDUCATION OPERATIONS MANAGER

hange is a constant, which is why I believe it’s essential to embrace life-long learning to regularly update your knowledge and skills. How else can you maintain pace within your field, remain relevant, and provide the best possible service to employers and clients? The Faculty sees continuing professional education as a growth area – we’re committing to providing better service and support to students after graduation and throughout their everchanging and developing careers as alumni. As the Faculty’s Manager for UQ Engineering Executive Education my role is to build an effective Executive Education portfolio and manage the delivery of our programs. This includes collaborating with industry partners, content experts, and other universities to ensure the high standards of quality and relevancy in our programs. Our customised and open-

UQ Engineering Executive Education provides a 5% discount on all short courses and educational events for UQ alumni. (Discount is calculated on the total fee for each individual registration).

enrolment programs range from short courses to Graduate Certificates, and are produced and presented by internationally recognised industry leaders, experts, and practitioners. A recent highlight has been collaborating with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, to coordinate delivery of the new MSc. Petroleum Engineering. I’m also coordinating regular industry-specific educational events and short courses, such as iWES, which is the country’s largest and most successful executive education program for environmental performance professionals. iWES events take place nationally with a program of 2, 3 and 5-day short courses (www.iwes.com.au). While UQ Engineering Executive Education delivers a diverse portfolio of education opportunities, we’re continuing to add more opportunities monthly. We’ve received positive feedback on our flexible delivery options, which we design to meet specific industry need. We look forward to connecting with you. For more information, and to view the UQ Engineering Executive Education portfolio, visit our website http://www.eait.uq.edu.au/ executiveeducation/, call +61 7 3346 7870 or drop me a line at cpd@eait.uq.edu.au. ingenuity / issue 3, may 2013

ALUMNI REUNIONS. RECONNECT. REMINISCE. RENEW. A reunion is a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and classmates, reminisce about your days at university, and hear about what’s happening at UQ now, and in the future. Celebrate shared memories and create new ones.

Your class reunion starts here.

CONTACT Claire Corones, Manager – Alumni & Community Engagement phone +61 7 3346 7533 email c.corones@uq.edu.au web http://goo.gl/8spch

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