Two terms has turned into 35 years and counting for USQ’s Professor Ron Ayers. Ron’s achievements were highlighted recently at the annual Staff Awards where he regaled attendees with stories on his life at USQ.
Ron originally started as a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Civil Engineering. He commenced work on the first of May 1976 and was due to finish up at the end of ’76.
It seemed Ron was keen for a change at the time or had confidence that his position at DDIAE would go into 1977 as he relocated his family from Sydney.
‘I was keen to get back into the education system. I was working in the construction industry at the time and was drawn to the institution itself,’ Ron said.
‘I was also drawn to Toowoomba – the place suited my wife and I and it was a great place to raise a family.
‘When we got here, I enjoyed the job and my family liked Toowoomba, so to continue here was appealing.’
From these beginnings at DDIAE, Ron made his career on teamwork and student support.
Even now, he looks to foster relationships with his students and co-workers, putting a lot of his time into the students, helping them succeed.
It was perhaps this dedication to the students that allowed Ron to move through the ranks of DDIAE/USQ, talking roles as Head of Civil Engineering for 10 years, two stints as Associate Dean (eight years in total) and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying for two periods of two year.
‘Through my time here at USQ, even as Dean, I always saw myself as part of a team.
‘Over my time here we have seen so much change in the technology – both in engineering industry and in education.
‘Teaching was all print and ‘chalk and talk’ but that has now all changed.
‘As in engineering industry, computers and calculators were just getting started – the computer we had here took up most of a room and didn’t have the power of a simple PC of today.’
This change in teaching practices and engineering technology over the past 35 years could have hardly been predicted and it is almost impossible to predict what will happen in the future.
‘It is hard to see what changes will happen from one year to the next.
‘We will continue to see an evolving landscape but longer term it is impossible to see what it will be and particularly what it will mean for student learning.
‘Maybe too, the age of the robot is still to come – the potential in civil engineering construction and road transport is enormous.
‘Robotic systems to drive our cars are now feasible and would improve road safety but are we willing to give up that freedom?’
DDIAE and USQ have provided Ron with many stories, many friends and challenges. It is what keeps him coming to work each day.
‘There are new people all the time – new students, new co-workers – it is always stimulating and challenging.
Ron also keeps himself busy with four children and now 10 grandchildren. Nights are taken with a local singing group and church work so Ron rarely finds himself being bored.
He has no ideas of retirement yet, although conceding that it might be the next ‘big decision’.
In the meantime, Ron is looking forward to putting more time in at USQ, more time fostering relationships and helping his students succeed.
Contact Details:
Sam Tickell, USQ Media, +61 7 46 31 2559
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