Exhibition celebrates USQ milestone

USQ’s innovative and colourful history will be showcased this month to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE).

The University's parent institution began as the Queensland Institute of Technology (Darling Downs) in 1967 and offered a limited range of courses at the Fellowship Diploma, Associate Diploma and Certificate level. Becoming the DDIAE on June 25 1971, was a major step in the development of USQ, as the institution was granted advanced education status and became, by law, an autonomous multi-purpose college under the control of its own College Council.

The University will mark this milestone on 27 June with an official function and memorabilia display. Special guests include USQ Chancellor Bobbie Brazil, Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove, former chancellors Dr Allison Dickson and Mr Don Stevens, Professor Emeritus Tom Ledwidge, Dr Kurt and Mrs Judy Timmins, and a number of long-serving staff members from the DDIAE era.

The DDIAE 40th Anniversary Exhibition entitled: “Development through embracing opportunities” will be displayed in the USQ Toowoomba Library until 30 September, with memorabilia from the DDIAE era including photographs of staff and students and examples of the technology used.

USQ Corporate Records Manager Derek Turner said USQ had a rich heritage in leading the way in a range of areas.

'A constant in our institution’s development is that it has needed to continually re-invent itself in order to prosper in a challenging operating environment', Mr Turner said.

'Examples of the DDIAE’s early innovations include the introduction of a teaching qualification for academic staff - the Graduate Diploma in Education (Tertiary) in 1974, 20 years ahead of similar developments at other universities.'

The first College Council chose the phoenix as the symbol for use on its Common Seal and the motto Per Studia Mens Nova - 'Through study the mind is transformed'.

The College soon established an Academic Board and a school structure emerged based on Education, Arts, Engineering, Applied Science and Business Studies.

As the DDIAE, the institution’s student enrolment grew six-fold in two decades to around 8,000 in 1989; at which time the move to university status commenced.

'The DDIAE was also the first college to introduce a year-round study calendar, the Student Advisory Scheme based on student mentoring by staff, and a Welfare Committee for Overseas Students – all before 1975,' Mr Turner said. 

The DDIAE’s move into distance education set the scene for massive growth and development during the 1980’s, including its entry into off-shore education as early as 1984 and its early embracing of educational technology – becoming an early pioneer in the use of computer assisted learning.

'The need to re-invent and innovate was as true for the DDIAE then as it is for USQ today', Mr Turner said. 'USQ has always been ahead of the game.'

The exhibition is free of charge and is located inside the main entrance (Level 3) of the USQ Toowoomba Library. Please check the library website for opening hours.

The USQ Historical Archives was established in 2007 to preserve the rich heritage of the USQ. Its motto is: ‘Solid foundations for a strong future.’ Some of the items already in the collection include a 1963 receipt for the membership of the Darling Downs University Establishment Association, the original blueprints of the USQ Japanese Gardens, and a Commodore computer used at the DDIAE during the 1980s.
To donate or loan QIT, DDIAE, UCSQ or USQ memorabilia, please contact Derek Turner.

Contact Details:
Madeleine Tiller, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1163, 0423 166 307