Engagement projects
QUT's engagement projects are examples of how the university is working with businesses, governments and our community to provide solutions to real world issues. The number and reach of our mutually beneficial projects is constantly expanding.
Below are some examples of these projects.
Local Projects
QUT Creative Enterprise Australia
QUT Creative Enterprise Australia is the very first - and only - business development agency actively supporting commercially-driven creative industries nation-wide. CEA provides support to growing creative businesses through mentoring and guidance, creative workspaces, financial support, access to broad networks and a wealth of industry knowledge. QUT Creative Enterprise Australia.
Learning in the lab from an early age
Research at QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation is leading the way in helping us “understand the pain overweight children feel during basic activities and how this might affect their ability and motivation to exercise so that we can develop a pain and injury-free environment", said Dr Sarah Schulz, from QUT’s School of Human Movement Studies. Learning in the lab.
Sustainable Futures
The Sustainable Futures by Design project emerged out of extensive consultation with Bundaberg and Bargara residents and business-owners about the future development of their city and town. The project was undertaken by a unique partnership between Queensland University of Technology, Port of Brisbane Corporation and Burnett Mary Regional Group and resulted in the submission of 24 strategic plans, 6 environmental management plans and 80 detailed design proposals for developments in Bargara and Bundaberg.
The success of Sustainable Futures by Design led to the establishment of a similar project in Karumba, North Queensland and culminated in winning a B-HERT Award for Outstanding Achievement in Collaboration in Research & Development, Education & Training and Community Engagement. Find out more about Sustainable Futures by Design.
The Kelvin Grove Urban Village
The Kelvin Grove Urban Village involves QUT and the Queensland Government, through its Department of Housing working in partnership to revitalise 16 hectares of land at kelvin Grove, just two kilometres from Brisbane's Central Business District. It is the first inner-city development of its kind in Australia, where a government and university have come together to plan and build a new integrated community. Find out more about the Kelvin Grove Urban Village.
The Leg Club ®
A partnership between QUT's School of Nursing (School of Nursing and Midwifery, from January 2009) and St Luke's Nursing Service has seen the formation of Leg Clubs ® which provide a high standard of wound care, treatment, information and social activities in a supportive and friendly environment. A QUT research study to evaluate the effectiveness of Leg Clubs was groundbreaking and found, for example that Leg Club members had improved healing rates. Find out more about the Leg Club.
National Projects
Learning’s a buzz on new game show
An innovative game show for Indigenous Australian children that has got them learning for fun is in production at Queensland University of Technology. When Letterbox airs mid-year on the NITV channel on Foxtel and Austar networks, it will be the first TV game show made especially for Indigenous Australian children. It is also the first TV series created at QUT's Creative Industries Precinct, and it was filmed in record time: 100 half hour episodes in 11 days. Letterbox TV game show.
Paper from sugar cane saves trees and money
QUT Sugar Research & Innovation research fellow Tom Rainey has dispelled the myth that bagasse paper production would never be economically viable in Australia. Mr Rainey said bagasse could be used to make generic writing paper, tissues and packaging, and help lower the amount of plantation and old growth forest that was cut down for paper production. Making paper from sugar cane.
International Projects
Medical Aid Mission for Communities In need
MAMCI’s aim is to improve health care in the remote communities of PNG. The project is focused on collecting, repairing and transporting redundant medical equipment from Queensland hospitals to under-resourced clinics and hospitals in remote areas. It also focuses on supporting on the ground hospital staff in effective management of hospital equipment through training programs and access to spare parts. With support from Greenslopes Hospital and Rotary, as well as QUT academics, MAMCI has been able to build strong relationships with the local community in PNG. Read more about MAMCI.
Students to help Botswana locals build orphanage
Planning has begun on a school and home for children orphaned by AIDS in Botswana. Construction is set to commence mid this year when 25 student volunteers from QUT's Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering head to Botswana for three to four weeks and teach locals simple building skills. Botswana orphanage project.
Talloires Network
The Talloires Network is an international association of institutions committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education. Talloires Network.
Using Ethnographic Action Research to improve community development
Ethnographic Action Research (E.A.R.) is a methodology developed by QUT's Creative Industries Research and Application Centre (CIRAC) and the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that combines research with project development. It has been designed particularly for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects in developing countries to help them evaluation and monitor ICT projects in their local context. Find out more about Ethnographic Action Research (PDF, 944KB)