The Open Access College kicks off research seminars with book launch

USQ's Open Access College (OAC) launched a new series of research seminars on August 11.

Ms Robyn Pigozzo, Dr Sang-Soon Park, Associate Professor Shirley O’Neill, Mr David Bull and Dr Tas Bedford enjoy the first OAC research seminar

Over 40 academic staff members attended the launch of the research seminars where Dr Sang-Soon Park launched the book The English language and cross-cultural variations: its impact on Korean students in Australian undergraduate programs.

The ongoing monthly seminar series will present a series of scholarly papers on themes relevant to widening access and equity in education.

Mr David Bull, Director of OAC, said that the seminar series would make a significant contribution to the research culture at USQ.

'While we are a new college, we are already enhancing the scholarship and research of the University,' Mr Bull said.

Dr Tas Bedford, the chair of OAC’s research standing committee, believes that the work of researchers at the College are important for the University as a whole.

'The OAC Research Seminar Series provides a much-needed opportunity for the ongoing sharing of information about student-focussed research at USQ particularly, although not exclusively, research that focuses on the special learning needs of students from educationally diverse backgrounds,' Dr Bedford said.

'This particular focus reflects the general focus of learning and teaching in the USQ Open Access College.'

The themes and findings of the book reflected the focus of OAC and the concerns of a wide range of international students at USQ.

OAC brings together domestic tertiary preparation and international student programs with the aim of widening access to higher education.

Contact Details:
Sam Tickell, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559