USQ continues to draw high calibre academics

A nationally and internationally recognised Engineering educator and technical expert has been appointed as the new Dean of Engineering and Surveying at USQ.

Professor Frank Bullen comes to USQ from the University of Tasmania (UTas) where he was Head of Engineering in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology.

USQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bill Lovegrove, said Professor Bullen has extensive experience in academia and the private sector spanning the past 25 years and will be a great addition to the University's executive team.

Professor Bullen has worked as a metallurgist, civil engineer, lecturer, researcher, executive manager and author, with a list of more than 130 refereed publications. He has held a number of University positions and comes to USQ to take the next step in his career. 

Professor Bullen said some of the things that attracted him to USQ was the University's international thrust and its connection to its regions.

'USQ has an international reputation for its innovative flexible delivery,' he said.

'The Engineering and Surveying Faculty is well integrated with several reknowned Centres of Excellence in fibre composites, agricultural engineering, computations, transformative pedagogies and of course catchment sustainability, which are well suited to USQ's communities.

'I'm a strong believer in scholarship and plan to grow and expand the current research of the Faculty, as well as ensuring that learning and teaching retains its high national profile.
 
'I was Chair of Engineers Australia's Tasmanian Division and it's through partnerships with industry and the profession that Faculties are able to expand their Australian Research Council linkage grants and contribute to their region's ongoing development.'

Professor Bullen is also involved in a number of professional associations including Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Assessor for the National Association of Testing Authorities, an executive of the Australasian Association of Engineering Education and a member of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia, to name a few.

While at UTas he was successful in ensuring a healthy balance in international student numbers for Engineering through developing new partnerships.

'We expanded the programs to broaden appeal and increased the proportion of international postgraduate research students to more than 20 percent,' Professor Bullen said.

'A number of the undergraduate international students also stayed on to complete a PhD or a research Masters, which is a good way to build Research Training Scheme outcomes.'

He said he is also looking forward to the move from Tasmania to Toowoomba.

'I attended the annual Association of Australasian Engineering Educators (AAEE) Conference at USQ in 2004 and my wife Melanie and I spent a week at the conference and exploring the local area.  We really liked Toowoomba,' Professor Bullen said.

Professor Bullen is due to commence in early February and will take over the role of Dean from Professor Rod Smith who will be continuing to play a leading role in the Faculty.

Media Contact: Fiona Taylor, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or +61 423 808 462.