Accreditation and awards
COL Award
USQ won the Commonwealth of Learning Award of Excellence for Institutional Achievement at the 3rd Pan Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning held in Dunedin New Zealand in July 2004. This award recognises and celebrates outstanding achievement and innovation in open and distance learning by an institution of the Commonwealth.
According to the judging panel, USQ demonstrates "how flexible learning options using appropriate technologies and a strong commitment to the development of good practice can reach out to a range of international and multicultural audiences...demonstating exceptional performance practices that have been carefully modulated to the changing and emerging needs of students, stakeholders and society".
ICDE Awards
The Executive Committee of the International Council for Open and Distance Learning (ICDE) awarded its top two Prizes of Excellence for 1999 to USQ.
Institutional Prize of Excellence
The ICDE awarded USQ the Institutional Prize of Excellence for a dual mode institution in recognition of the University's very significant contribution to providing education at a distance to the world and in recognition of its leadership and innovation in the field of distance learning, while at the same time maintaining a thriving traditional on-campus operation.
Individual Prize of Excellence
The ICDE Individual Prize of Excellence was awarded to USQ's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Global Learning) Professor Jim Taylor for his leading role in ICDE activities over many years together with his many significant contributions made to research and development in the field of open and distance learning.
About ICDE
The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) is the global membership organisation of educational institutions, national and regional associations, corporations, educational authorities and agencies in the fields of open learning and distance education. ICDE facilitates international cooperation in distance education and open learning throughout the world. Through the ICDE memberships and partnership structure, more than 7,500 members in 140 countries are represented.
ICDE is officially recognised by the United Nations as the global non-government organisation responsible for the field of open and distance learning, and is affiliated with the United Nations through UNESCO. The ICDE Australia-Pacific Secretariat is hosted by USQ and USQ's Professor Jim Taylor (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Global Learning) is the current President of ICDE.
Good Universities Guide - Joint Winner University of the Year 2000-2001
In 2001, the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, announced that USQ was joint Winner of the Good Universities Guides 'University of the Year' for 2000-2001, recognising USQ's leadership in 'Developing the e-University'.
Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) Report
The Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) report on USQ in September 2002 made the following specific commendations in relation to USQ's achievements in distance and e-learning:
Commendation 3: AUQA commends USQ for its achievements and successes in the area of flexible learning, and particularly in its robust processing systems for distance education materials.
Commendation 14: AUQA commends USQ for its ongoing development and application of innovative technology-based solutions to student learning needs. In this area USQ provides the sector with significant leadership.
ACODE Secretariat
USQ's Distance and e-Learning Centre acts as the secretariat for the Australasian Council on Open, Distance and e-Learning (ACODE), the peak Australasian organisation for universities engaged or interested in open, distance, flexible and e-learning.