Update from the Deputy Director (Operations)

Hello everyone

As many of you know, Neville took a well-deserved break over the school holidays, so I’m taking this opportunity to pen the e-news update and share some of the work happening in SMI.

The last quarter of the year is always very busy as we complete the year’s activities and start to prepare SMI’s budget and operational plan for the following year.

There is no doubt that 2020 has been challenging, but we have seen increased output across many areas of the Institute and this will place us in a strong position as we head into 2021. Like many others in UQ, this year has forced a rapid change in focus, and a resilience to manage and achieve all the goals for 2020 with the added burden of a period of off-campus work. As well, we have the overlay of uncertainty across the higher education sector, and the economy in general, but despite these factors SMI staff and HDR candidates have continued to excel.

From the annual planning perspective, we are currently developing our operational plans and budgets for 2021, and will present them to the Provost and the Chief Financial Officer on 13 October.

Alongside our professional development courses and webinars, there are a couple of events I’d like to draw your attention to - the NXGen online Student Conference is fast approaching on 23-24 November. This Conference is a great opportunity for our research students to develop their presentation skills, and I would encourage them all to consider taking part in this global event. The Call for Abstract closes on 15 October, so there is still plenty of time to submit.

Rick and Marie-Louise have been working hard to put together the program for a Complex Orebodies Presentation Day on 5 November. This will be a great opportunity to get an overview of the program – it’s hard to believe it’s coming to the end of its third year – so I hope you join online for even part of the day and gain an insight into COB collaborations, programs and impact.

SMI will again participate in UQ’s Annual Giving Day which is on 21 October, with a focus on supporting the Dee Bradshaw Travel Scholarship. Giving Day is a celebration of UQ’s contribution to community and the 2020 theme is “Because of you, the good doesn’t stop”.

Finally but most importantly – Tyson Cronin, SMI’s Health and Safety Manager has become a father for the first time. Tyson and his wife Lina welcomed their daughter Alba on 26 September. We send our congratulations to the Cronin family, and look forward to meeting Alba in the coming months!

I hope you enjoy the October e-news. On a more general note, if you have any feedback about operations in SMI, please let me know.

Melissa