It took him more than 30 years but Sir John Daniel made a very welcome return to the University of Southern Queensland’s Toowoomba campus this month.
At the time of his last visit USQ was still called the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education and the University’s other campuses did not even exist on blueprints.
But upon his return in 2013
Sir John was quick to heap praise on the work USQ has done and continues to do as a world-leader in the field of distance education.
“I have always thought of USQ as a model for what dual-mode education should be,” he told the packed lecture theatre during his presentation (February 7) —
Higher Education Futures: Keeping an Open Mind.
Sir John spoke of a trend towards greater openness in education, Open Education Resources, MOOCs and the Paris Declaration, which was signed by USQ last year.
“It’s important to think of the term ‘open’ in the right context,” Sir John said.
“Open as to people, open as to places, open as to methods and open as to ideas.
“I’m very impressed by the way USQ has taken on board the goals of the Paris Declaration — you are certainly leaders in Australia when it comes to embracing those ideas.”
Following his presentation Sir John took part in a Question and Answer session, seated on a panel with Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Services) and Chief Information Officer Professor Ken Udas and Professor Emeritus Jim Taylor AM.
Professor Thomas said it was an honour to welcome Sir John — a figure who held “legend status” in her eyes — back to USQ.
“To be able to access his expertise and wisdom and use that to advance USQ is an absolute privilege and a pleasure,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Sir John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for services to higher education in 1994, holds 31 honorary doctorates from universities in 17 countries and was awarded the Symons Medal of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
He served as President and CEO of Commonwealth of Learning (COL) from 2004 to 2012.
Media contact;
Jim Campbell, USQ Media, +617 4631 2977, jim.campbell@usq.edu.au
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