Vision 2033 launch
News 13 MarchA message from Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis: Over the last three weeks, I had the pleasure of visiting all ACU campuses to introduce staff to Vision 2033, our strategy directi...
20 May 2020
Share
Coronavirus has created a ‘crisis cohort’ across Australia which will scar our students’ lives if not addressed. Many students worldwide, as well as here at ACU, will not finish their studies outside of ‘special measures’, and already unemployment and economic disruption are impacting on national economies. This current crisis seems to portend something even worse than the 2008/9 GFC with huge falls of GDP and accompanying mass unemployment predicted.
Young workers, student-workers (gone are the days when the majority of students could get by without a job), and graduates are likely to be hardest hit; they work fewer hours and are more likely to be unemployed in times of crisis. The ‘finance economy’ and the maxing out of credit systems are unsustainable for the long-term future of our young people. Furthermore, young people it seems are increasingly subject to mental health problems and depression.
There is a debt due to those who follow us. This involves our capacity to ensure that there is no disadvantage conferred on our next generation simply because they were young when the pandemic hit. We cannot allow a young graduate precariat to emerge, nor tolerate the youth unemployment which has scarred many nations across the globe in recent times. This situation accelerates us in the universities towards a new view of how we might change and adapt to meet this crisis, and how this may inform our readiness and response for, inevitably, the next.
For ACU Queensland, I am pleased to report that our McAuley at Banyo campus has remained open throughout the current crisis with a workforce of ‘essential services’ staff on site each day. During this time, our entire academic and professional staffing body have worked tirelessly to transfer and support their courses online.
In recent months, the campus has seen a steady flow of staff and students visiting each day (at times up to 120), with access to the university Library proving to be particularly important to students seeking to complete their course requirements without having access to their own personal computer, laptop or iPad. A very special thank you must go to our Library staff who have ensured these students have been able to continue to access these services throughout this period.
Our Properties Team continue to ensure the highest standards of social distancing and cleanliness are adhered to. And our Medical Centre continues to offer bulk-billed annual flu vaccinations, which reduce the severity and risk of contracting influenza (which could make us more susceptible to COVID-19). Importantly, they also offer a bulk-billed health and wellbeing online program that supports the mental health of staff and students at this stressful time.
The return of some practical classes have commenced on the McAuley at Banyo campus this week including the following:
Midwifery 18-May 30-May
Nursing 25-May 25-Jul
Paramedicine 25-May 10-Jun
Exercise Science 15-Jun 30-Jun
Exercise Physiology 6-Jul 16-Jul Brisbane
Finally, our fabulous McAuley Student Association are working hard to combat the effects of the pandemic on our student lives. Here is the most recent link to their Mongrel’s Kennel podcast. Mary Tower, Filipe Afu and their team are doing a wonderful job in keeping students connected through these unprecedented times.
We are very lucky because we work with what seem to be endless and recurring generations of young people who have flooded through our classroom and laboratory doors in recent decades. An ever-expanding and secure economy was, for many, the unspoken and unacknowledged condition for this, which was safe and secure down the generations. The coronavirus has shown us this is not the case. We have been shown how precarious and insecure our lives can be. We must be thankful for the eternal optimism of youth which will not be fazed by the size and difficulty of the task, but if we underestimate the challenge, we shall betray their trust in us.
Our next generation of ACU students need a better legacy than the one presently on offer. It falls to us to accept the challenge and make the change, does it not?
Stay safe, stay well and, perhaps most importantly in these times of restricted social connectedness, stay in touch!
Professor Jim Nyland
AVC Queensland
A message from Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis: Over the last three weeks, I had the pleasure of visiting all ACU campuses to introduce staff to Vision 2033, our strategy directi...
It is important that staff are aware of the legislative obligations relating to international students.
Join us on the road to Santiago De Compostela to undertake the Camino walk in Spain. The pilgrimage will take place 1–9 October 2024.
Melbourne-based Campus Pastoral Associate Jeremy Ambrose explores the St Patrick’s Day phenomenon offering three reasons as to why this great saint is the perfect patron for the Melbourne Campus and t...
Interested in becoming an Ally Network member and helping to provide a safe, inclusive and respectful environment at ACU for students and staff who identify as LGBTIQ+? Join an online training session...
ACU pays tribute to Associate Professor Peter Howard, who died last month after more than 33 years of service to the university in both academic and leadership roles.
This year during Harmony Week 18–24 March, we recognise our cultural diversity and celebrate the opportunity to come together as friends and colleagues.
Join us for upcoming UBL home or away games near your campus throughout the 2024 season.
ACU has successfully completed its legally required copyright audit.
Read a summary of the Academic Board meeting held on 14 February 2024.
Get ready to celebrate Respect@Uni Week 18-22 March. It's a week packed with engaging activities and awareness-raising events to highlight the importance of respect, equality, and inclusion in our cam...
A message from Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Suzanne Chambers: The Faculty of Health Sciences continues to focus on improving health outcomes for the future.
Student Communications (MER) compiles, edits and sends a monthly Student News and Events bulletin. This bulletin is sent to all students, nationally, and includes a broad cross-section of news, announ...
We are updating our list of staff who are JPs. If you are a JP and would like to be included on the list, please submit a General Enquiry via Service Central.
Include an additional survey item in the Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey for units that are offered in Professional Term 2 (202412) and ACU Online Term 1 (202416).
Don’t forget to register for tomorrow’s special International Women’s Day conversation on this year’s theme: 'Count her in: Invest in women. Accelerate Progress'.
The ACU Library’s second Research Data Management session on 13 March focuses on working with sensitive data.
The 2024 International Women's Day theme resonates deeply with our Christian values, reminding us of the importance of inclusivity, empowerment, and female solidarity.
ACU COVID safety requirements for staff, students, contractors and visitors still exist. Don’t forget to report a positive case on campus.
Friday 8 March is International Women’s Day. In seeking gender parity to overcome historic disadvantages for women, research elucidates paths to equality. Explore ACU’s research contributions.
Visit Service Central to access Corporate Services.