Community
Professional and community connections
Building and strengthening strong professional links between faculty staff and the schools in the region we serve receives considerable attention at all three campuses. For many years local school staff have been involved in assisting our students to practically apply their studies. Without the support of school communities this important work would be impossible.
School and education communities
Our pre-service teachers are given the opportunity to participate in school activities on a voluntary basis. For more information, please contact Education Lecturer, Petrea Redmond.
Academic staff have the opportunity to participate in a teaching exchange program with the University of Calgary, Canada. This provides the academic with the opportunity to teach and research at the University of Calgary for six to 12 months.
Regional communities
The surrounding community has also benefited from the energy of our many enthusiastic students participating in local projects, including
The faculty offers opportunities for professional development such as the Transition to Teaching series, led by faculty staff and other members of the educational community. These are held throughout the school year and are designed to meet the needs of current and future global educators.
Building Resilience Interest Group (BRIG)
The Building Resilience Interest Group is a working party of the Toowoomba Education and Interagency Forum, the group that manages the District Youth Achievement Plan. The primary purpose of BRIG is to support schools in the promotion of mental health and well-being. BRIG meets on a monthly basis at Toowoomba State High School (Mt Lofty Campus) and more regularly when projects demand. BRIG participants include Teachers, School Administrators, Mental Health Promotion Professionals, Youth Workers and USQ Faculty of Education Academic Staff.
The BRIG group held the second annual Showcase Day on 20 October 2008 at USQ. This event brought together around 250 people from Toowoomba and the surrounding district to listen to keynotes, participate in workshops, and showcase their strategies and services related to supporting the health and wellbeing of young people in our communities. For further information about BRIG or the BRICS Showcase, please contact Steve Hughes (Faculty of Education) or email Steph Clarke (Toowoomba State High School).
Alumni
As a graduate, you are eligible to become a member of the USQ Alumni Network.
The Alumni Network offers you the chance to stay in touch with friends and other USQ graduates, expand your social and professional networks, access professional and business development opportunities and maintain contact with the university. Membership is free.
The USQ community
We have a strong community focus and seek to exchange skills and knowledge through the sharing of programs, resources and research for the benefit of the whole community.
International community
Our international (offshore) students studying via distance education or online come from Mongolia, Russia, the South Pacific, Uganda, the Middle East, South Africa, most regions in Asia, Canada, the USA, UK, Germany, South America and more. They bring unique insights and share information with their fellow students and lecturers via discussion forums on their StudyDesk. This interaction enhances their learning experience with the faculty. On-campus, we have a vibrant group of international students studying both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.Their life experiences bring an added dimension to the classroom that enhances the learning and development of our local students as well.
Our Fraser Coast campus enjoys a successful relationship with Canadian students who come to complete the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching, whilst also experiencing the world famous Fraser Island and scenic surrounding region.