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QUT Alumni E-Newsletter - February 2010
(please click on the headlines below for more information)

Alumni and QUT News

Alumni Award Nominations sought

Mentoring

Alumni and QUT Events

Research Requests

QUT Podcasts

Alumni Services and Benefits

Update your Details

Alumni Queries


QUT based CRCs net almost one third in funds round

QUT'S reputation as a research powerhouse has been re-affirmed with the university receiving almost a third of the $130million awarded in the latest round of Commonwealth Government funding.

The Wound Management Innovation CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) has been allocated $28 million for the next eight years, while the CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset Management (CIEAM), has received $12 million for an extension over the next three years.

The Wound Management Innovation CRC is led by Professor Zee Upton of QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and Professor Helen Edwards of QUT's School of Nursing.

Professor Edwards said funding would enable researchers to improve the healing of chronic wounds which cost the Australian economy $2.6 billion a year and affected about 400,000 Australians

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No Happy New Year for Brisbane property market

A consistent decline in home sales listings and sales plus rising interest rates will keep the Brisbane property market in the doldrums for the first half of 2010 and bring mortgage stress for those who bought houses in 2006 and 2007.

This is the forecast of QUT's professor of property economics, Chris Eves, who said that it was only high-value sales (homes worth more than $550,000) that had driven up the Brisbane median house price.

"In fact, the middle-value (between $400,000 and $550,000) and lower-value housing prices are stagnating," Professor Eves, from QUT's School of Urban Development, said.

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First producers’ program – now that’s entertainment

All facets of Brisbane's entertainment industry - from movies to television and music to performing arts - are excited about QUT's new undergraduate program for entertainment producers being offered in 2010.

Course coordinator Professor Alan McKee said the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Entertainment Industries) was the first Australian university course to produce graduates for careers that combine creativity and business specifically for the entertainment industry.

"Our graduates will learn from the industries' best how to produce successful shows, concerts, programs, festivals, theme park attractions - you name it, they will have the business and creative grounding to create memorable entertainment events," Professor McKee said.

"As with all QUT programs, members of the industry are providing a strong real-world focus."

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Help for business in a twitter

Few businesses are using Web 2.0 technology to their advantage to reap the benefits of a successful social media strategy, a Queensland University of Technology communications researcher said.

QUT's Associate Professor Axel Bruns has released two reports on his social media research for the federally funded Smart Services Cooperative Research Centre to help guide businesses in making the most of social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

"Businesses often have a limited understanding of social media and few businesses do it right," Professor Bruns said.

"Having a social media presence is crucial in business today, but managing it poorly can be more detrimental to your brand image than having none at all."

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Demand for QUT raises OP cut-offs; business defies trend

High demand for places at Queensland University of Technology has prompted the lifting of the OP cut-offs for more than half of the university's courses for the coming academic year.

QUT's management and commerce courses have attracted a 10.8 per cent increase in first preferences over 2009 figures, defying a 2 per cent state wide decrease in applications for business courses.

After receiving the highest number of first preferences from all applicants of any university in Queensland, QUT has made more than 10,000 offers during December and January.

QUT registrar Dr Carol Dickenson said total preferences for QUT courses were up by 14 per cent with the courses most in demand being in the health sector, creative industries, law and architecture.

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Search for what’s real: new sea changers crowd out the old

Post-summer holiday blues and the desire to up and move to the sea or bush are symptomatic of a deep longing for authenticity and belonging to a community, says QUT PhD seachange researcher Nick Osbaldiston.

But it is so common a reaction now that the original seachange towns such as Byron Bay and Noosa have been "loved to death" and are no longer havens for those wishing to live away from it all.

"Some places have lost their aura of being a regional town and have become mini metropolises which for some 'original' seachangers becomes a problem," Mr Osbaldiston said.

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Register for QUT Alumni Theatre Interest Group

As a QUT alumnus you are entitled to belong to the QUT Alumni Theatre Interest group and receive special offers and discounts of events at QUT Theatres and from time to time other productions.
Included in the special offers are;

  • Special offers for the QUT Student Showcase events (Drama and Dance)
  • Special offers to the professional season at our Garden’s Theatre
  • Other special offers at times

Download flyer for our complete 2010 season.

QUT Alumni also get discounted rates to productions at QUT Gardens Theatre. Click here to view the 2010 program.

To ensure you are invited to upcoming events, register your interest with QUT Alumni to be part of the Alumni Theatre Interest Group.

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Alumni Award Nominations sought

Do you know any outstanding QUT graduates?

Each year the Outstanding Alumni Awards recognise alumni of QUT and its predecessor institutions for exceptional professional, academic or research achievement and contribution to the community at the local, state, national or international levels.

If you know an outstanding QUT graduate who has made a significant contribution to their profession and to the community, please submit a nomination now for QUT’s 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards.

For more information and a nomination form visit www.alumni.qut.edu.au or email alumni@qut.edu.au. 

Nominations close on Monday 29 March 2010.

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Do you know any excellent Student Leaders?

The Student Leadership Awards, an initiative of QUT Alumni, aims to recognise students of QUT who display leadership through their contributions to the University and the wider community.

All winners will be presented at the SLA Reception.

Guidelines outlining the selection process, eligibility and key selection criteria are available on the web to assist nominators.

Nominations for the 2010 awards close Monday, 12 April. Please download the Nomination form (.docx) or contact the Alumni Office on 07 3138 1833 or email alumni@qut.edu.au.

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Mentoring

Singapore Mentor Scheme 2010

QUT Careers and Employment and QUT Alumni are currently inviting alumni to become involved in the Singaporean Career Mentor Scheme. This scheme is for current QUT students who are Singaporean nationals to be mentored by a QUT Alumni in Singapore. 

If you are interested in becoming a Career Mentor, please complete the registration form. For more information on the scheme, visit www.careers.qut.edu.au.  

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FEW Mentoring program

Fostering Executive Women Mentoring Program 

Keen to fast track your career?

FEW are now calling for expressions of interest to be a mentee in the 2010 FEW Mentoring Program.

If you have completed your postgraduate business studies at QUT and are willing to:

  • Change your behaviour and improve performance
  • Look beyond present constraints
  • Take risks
  • Look for new perspective or possibilities
  • Apply problem identification and solving
  • Implement career plans and achieve career success

then you are welcome to apply. Applications close 15 February. For further details and an application form visit: http://www.bgsb.qut.edu.au/community/few/mentoring.jsp

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Brisbane Events

Cultural Events at QUT Art MuseumQUT Gardens Theatre,
Dates and times subject to change without notice.  Please check the venue web site before attending.

QUT Art Museum, Gardens Point Campus, 2 George Street, Brisbane

QUT Staff and Student Exhibitionsthroughout 2010
Throughout 2010 a series of self-contained exhibitions will be presented featuring the work of staff and students from QUT's teaching and research programs in the creative disciplines of visual arts, design and fashion.

Framing Conflict: Iraq and Afghanistan – Lyndell Brown and Charles Green- 12 January to 28 February 2010
In March 2007, artists Lyndell Brown and Charles Green travelled for six weeks through the Middle East, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf as the Australian War Memorial's official war artists.

UnAustalian: Reimaging National Identity- 9 February to 4 July 2010
Since the late 1990s the term un-Australian has been used freely, appearing everywhere from front bench politics to the sporting arena. But what does it mean to be un Australian?

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QUT Gardens Theatre, Gardens Point Campus, 2 George Street, Brisbane

QUT Alumni can purchase tickets to Gardens Theatre shows at concession rates. Simply mention that you are a QUT Alumnus at the time of booking.

For more information on what’s playing at QUT Gardens Theatre in 2010 please have a look at the following link http://www.gardenstheatre.qut.com/professional/

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ACBC Chinese New Year Dinner 2010

Australia China Business Council, Queensland Branch is delighted to invite you to our Chinese New Year Dinner 2010 to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Tiger.

We hope you can join us at our networking event along with your business colleagues, partners and Chinese visitors to Queensland to welcome a prosperous year for Queensland-China business.

Our invited guests include The Governor, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO and Mr Ren Gongping, PRC Consul-General in Brisbane. Please refer to the attached invitation and complete and return the registration form to secure your seats for this great event.

Details are:

When Wednesday 17 February 2010, 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Where Landmark Restaurant, Sunnybank
Cost Member-hosted table $600.00 (tables of 10)
RSVP 10th February or before if full house reached – please register now!

Qantas has generously offered a return ticket for two to Shanghai which will be raffled during the evening along with an Omega Constellation Quartz Gent’s Watch sponsored by JR Duty Free.

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After the Recession-What then?

Presented by Robert Haveman – Professor Emeritius of Economics and Public Affairs and Research Associate at the Institute for Research on Poverty at University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Professor Haveman will discuss some common concerns between Australia and the United States relating specifically to inequality, poverty and social mobility. What should happen after the recession with these basic structural economic problems? Professor Haveman will present some solutions to these complex issues.

Date Thursday 18 February 2010
Time 5:15 pm Wine and Canapés (6pm lecture)
Location The Atrium, Z block level 4 QUT Gardens Point Campus
RSVP Wednesday 10 February 2010 via www.bus.qut.edu.au/seminars
Further Information Tracey Gordon
Phone 07 3138 5293
Email t.gordon@qut.edu.au

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CoFSQUT Ocean View Winery Tour

Please join us for the first Community of Former Staff event of 2010, a visit to the Ocean View Estate Winery & Restaurant on 4th March, 2010.  The winery is owned by current QUT staff members Rosemary and Calvin Irons, from the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education at Kelvin Grove.

Ocean View Estate Winery and Restaurant: 2557 Mt Mee Road, Ocean View 4521. Map 45, Ref L19, Brisbane UBD. The Ocean View Estate is located about 10km beyond Dayboro, between Dayboro and Mt Mee. There are several wineries in this area. Be wary of the right hand turn into the estate, at the brow of a hill.

Date Thursday 4 March, 2010
Time 10:45 am
Cost $22.00 (includes tour, wine tasting, and lunch of a gourmet pie with salad, followed by coffee/tea and handmade chocolate truffle).  Vegetarian meals etc catered for as advised. (If you are unable to stay for lunch, the charge for tour and wine tasting will be $8).
Guests As usual, you are most welcome to bring your partner and guests.
RSVP To QUT Alumni, using the RSVP Form provided, by Friday 19th February, 2010
Email: alumni@qut.edu.au
Fax: 07 3138 1514
Phone: 07 3138 1833
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BEE Postgraduate Masters Information Evening

Final information evening before applications close

Registration Essential - REGISTER NOW

Registration is now being accepted for this final information evening before applications close semester one, 2010. Attendance is free but seats are limited to ensure correct staff to student ratios and appropriate catering as refreshments will be served.

The Postgraduate Information Evening, 5.30-7.00pm Thursday 4 February, is designed for future postgraduate students to discover how a postgraduate masters degree with the Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering can keep you at the forefront of your industry.

Talk one-on-one with course coordinators and student administration staff for more details on semester one entry for masters in:

Our masters programs, designed in close consultation with industry, enable graduates to be part of the sustainability solution, master digital technologies and gain inspiration through creative thinking from industry managers and leaders.

Please note research and PhD degrees will not be covered - please contact the research office directly.

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International

Malaysia Alumni Reception and Graduation Ceremony

QUT Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake and the QUT Malaysia Alumni Group
is pleased to invite you to attend the QUT Alumni Reception in Malaysia

Alumni Reception

Date Saturday 27th March 2010
Time 7.30 pm for 7:30pm-9:00pm
Venue Hotel Nikko Kuala Lumpur
165 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Cost No charge
Dress Code Business attire
RSVP QUT Alumni using the RSVP Form attached
By Monday 22nd March 2010
Email: alumni@qut.edu.au
Fax: +61 7 3138 1514

Encourage your alumni friends to attend this networking event where you can meet new
friends, reconnect with old friends and develop professional contacts.

Guest Presenters:

Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake: Queensland University of Technology

and

Special Guests

If you know of any QUT Alumni who have not received this invitation, please pass theinvitation on to them and ask them to update their details with QUT Alumni at
www.alumni.qut.edu.au

Kuala Lumpur Graduation Ceremony
Date Sunday 28th March 2010
Venue Hotel Nikko Kuala Lumpur
Time 2 p.m.
RSVP Malaysia Graduation Registration Form
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Singapore Alumni Reception and Graduation Ceremony

Major General (Retd), Peter Arnison, AC CVO, Chancellor of QUT and the Singapore Alumni Chapter are pleased to invite you to attend the QUT Alumni Reception

Date Monday 29th March 2010
Time 7.00-9:00 pm
Venue Singapore Marriott Hotel, 320 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865
Cost No charge
Dress code Business attire
RSVP QUT Alumni using the RSVP Form by Monday 22 March 2010
Email: alumni@qut.edu.auor Fax: +61 7 3138 1514

A very special presentation of an Alumni Service Award will be made to Mr Wei Ann (Andy) Tan former president of the QUT Alumni Chapter Singapore in recognition of his significant contribution of many years.

Encourage your alumni friends to attend this networking event where you can meet new friends, reconnect with old friends and develop professional contacts.

Guest Presenters  
Major General (Retd) Peter Arnison AC, CVO Chancellor
Queensland University of Technology
Michael Le Page Vice President
Rio Tinto Minerals – Clor Alkali Unit

Singapore Graduation Ceremony

Date Tuesday 30th March 2010
Venue Singapore Marriott Hotel
Time 8 p.m
RSVP Singapore Graduation Registration Form

Singapore Ceremony Special – the first 150 graduands who purchase a guest ticket will receive their graduand ticket FREE!

Graduation ceremonies will also be held in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Please contact us if you would like to be added to our mailing list for these ceremonies

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ANZSANA Banquet Dinner in Washington DC

Australian university alumni are invited to attend a banquet dinner as part of the Australia New Zealand Studies Association of North America annual conference. The event will kick off with cocktails, followed by dinner and feature a keynote speaker.

Australian university alumni in North America include US and Canadian citizens who have studied on a full degree or study abroad/exchange program in Australia; Australian graduates now resident in North America; and graduates from Australian universities who are citizens of other countries but are now resident in North America

Date Friday 26 February 2010
Time 7 p.m.
Venue Ella Burling Hall, International Student House in Washington DC.
RSVP and Cost

USD$60 and can be purchased from Frances Cushing: fsc@mail.la.utexas.edu by 12 February 2010

If you have any questions about the event, please do not hesitate to contact sarah.wolf@aei.gov.au.

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Australian Alumni Short Film Festival in Indonesia


Calling all Australian Alumni movie makers! The Australian Embassy will be hosting the first Australian Alumni Short Film Festival this year. If you are an Australian Alumni with a short film you are waiting for the world to see, send it through in VCD form by Wednesday 10th February 2010 to:

Ms Melisa Simanjuntak
Australian Alumni Relations Manager
Australian Embassy
Jl. H.R Rasuna Said
Kav. C15-16, Kuningan
Jakarta 12940
Indonesia

Films will go through a selection process for inclusion in the festival. Copies sent to us will not be returned nor re-distributed without owner’s consent.

For further information: Melisa Simanjuntak, Australian Alumni Relations Manager at Melisa.Simanjuntak@aei.gov.au or (021) 2550 5553

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Australia Alumni Awards in Indonesia: Call for nominations

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Australian Alumni Awards in Indonesia.

“This award scheme is important in recognising the significant contribution made by Australian alumni in their chosen profession when they return to Indonesia,” said Bill Farmer, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.

The ten award categories are:
- Outstanding Young Australian Alumni Award;
- Australian Alumni Award for Excellence in Education;
- Australian Alumni Award for Entrepreneurship;
- Australian Alumni Award for Sustainable and Economic Development;
- Australian Alumni Award for Research and Innovation;
- Australian Alumni Award for Business Leadership;
- Australian Alumni Award for Culture and the Arts;
- Australian Alumni Award for Creativity and Design;
- Australian Alumni Award for Journalism and Media;
- Australian Alumni Award for Excellence in National Security Governance.

To be eligible for nomination, alumni must have studied in Australia for at least 12 months. Alumni do not have to be working in the particular discipline from which they graduated but it is essential to display an on-going high level of achievement in the award category. The awards are not designed to reward those who are nearing graduation.

Nominations can be made online, by any member of the Indonesian and Australian public, via the interactive Australian alumni website www.ozmate.org and close on Friday, 19 February 2010.Please visit www.ozmate.org for nomination details and eligibility. The finalists will be announced in March 2010 and the winners will be announced at a special ceremony in April 2010.
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ACAA Shanghai Members Exclusive Tour

Australian alumni are invited for a special preview and tour of the Australian pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010, with Pavilion Director, Peter Sams. Places are strictly limited, and the tour is open to ACAA members and their guests only. ACAA members are welcome to bring either ONE guest OR their families, including children. All attendees must wear flat, covered shoes.

Time  9:30am, Saturday 27th February 2010
Place  The bus will leave from People's Square, Wusheng Lu, outside the Shanghai Grand Theater. Please call Rona on 1391 659 5056 if you need directions
Price ACAA Members – 80 RMB; ACAA member guests – 130 RMB; ACAA member children – 80 RMB (Includes Pavilion tour, transport and snacks).
RSVP Online, or to events@austchinaalumni.org
Website http://www.austchinaalumni.org/events.php?eventID=132

Schedule:

9:30am Registration at People’s Square
10:00am Bus leaves from People’s Square
10:30am Arrive at Expo site
10:40am Bus tour of expo site, driving past American and Chinese pavilions, with photo opportunities
11:10am Arrive at Australian pavilion, put on safety attire, tour Australian pavilion
12:00pm Leave Expo site on bus
12:30pm Arrive back at People’s Square

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Chinese New Year Party and dumpling making- Beijing
Come and make dumplings for Chinese New Year!

Spring Festival is just around the corner and dumpling-making is part of that tradition. Come and join alumni friends, bring your family, and learn to make your favourite "jiaozi"!

Date & Time Monday 8th February 6:30-9:30 pm
Location Three Guizhou Men, 6 Guanghua Zili, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District,  Ph; 6502 1733
Price Member- 80RMB & Non member- 120RMB (incl. dumplings, banquet dinner, soft drinks, beer, glass of Australian wine)
RSVP Register for this event or email events@austchinaalumni.org
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Research Requests

Volunteers needed for diabetes study

A QUT research group hoping to find the link between eye nerve damage and nerve changes in the feet of diabetic patients needs to find volunteers to help them with their study.
The research team is led by Professor Nathan Efron, and is part of the wider LANDMark study which aims to provide a diagnostic test for nerve damage in people with diabetes.
The research group, based at QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), are looking for 100 volunteers with Type 1 diabetes and 50 with a condition called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), also known as late-onset Type 1 diabetes.
The study will investigate how changes in the nerves in the cornea, at the front of the eye, correlate with nerve changes in the feet. The aim is to develop accurate and non-invasive tests for the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetic neuropathy. Volunteers will need to be able to agree to take part in a five-year study, visiting IHBI once yearly for a half-day check-up.

Those who are interested can contact research team member Katie Edwards  katie.edwards@qut.edu.au or 3138 6154.

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Call for research participants 65 years and over
We are conducting a research study related to driving experience and attitudes among older adults.

We are after participants who are:

  • aged 65 years or over
  • hold a current drivers license and currently drive

Participation involves one session only, during which you will complete a questionnaire and take part in a fun computer based driving simulation.  The session will be conducted on Kelvin Grove campus.  All up it should take no more than one and a half hours to complete and you will receive $20 for you trouble, and the satisfaction of helping out some QUT colleagues.

If you would be interested in participating please contact Dr Janine Beck via email on jk.beck@qut.edu.au

Alternatively if you know of someone else who fits the criteria we would greatly appreciate if it if you could pass this information on to them.

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QUT Podcasts

In essence, a podcast transmits audio content – a discussion, speech or lecture - over the Internet so anyone, anywhere can share material. Its real benefit is the ease with which it can be used. Downloading is a simple matter because podcasts are usually MP3 audio files so they are suitable for transferring onto a computer, an iPod or any portable digital-media device that can play MP3 files.

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Benefits for QUT Alumni

For more information on the below benefits please see our website http://www.alumni.qut.edu.au/alumnibenefits/benefits.jsp

Special Offers
NAB@work benefits package
Save on The Wall Street Journal Asia ePaper Subscription
QUT Member Wine Offers
15% discount on Audiovisual Equipment for QUT Alumni
Concession/Member Discounts at Brisbane Institute Events
Thrifty Car Rental
Travel Experiences through Learning
QUT Member Travel Insurance Offer with Chartis
Degrees with a difference

Offers from QUT
QUT Alumni Theatre Evenings
QUT Bookshop Discounts
QUT Alumni Library Information Service (ALIS)
Careers & Employment Services
Free Online Jobs Service
QUT health clinic
Email for Life

More

Alumni Card

The QUT Alumni card provides access to alumni benefits and services. For information on the QUT Alumni Card, click here.


Alumni Queries

General Alumni Queries - email: alumni@qut.edu.au, phone: +61 7 3138 1843, fax: +61 7 3138 1514
 
Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions web page for: Record Enquiries - Graduation Enquiries - Overseas Student/Graduates Enquiries
 
Update your details: online or via email: alumni@qut.edu.au, phone: +61 7 3138 5356, Fax: +61 7 3138 1514
 
QUT Alumni official Facebook site - To find us, log on to Facebook (www.facebook.com) and search for ‘QUT Alumni’.

Do you know Alumni who do not receive this email? Please forward it to them and encourage them to register with the Alumni Office by updating their details.
 
Email Problems: If you experience any problems receiving this email please contact our Alumni Office and include details about the email program and computer you're using.

Unsubscribe Info - To unsubscribe from the QUT Alumni Email Newsletter please send your request to: alumni@qut.edu.au

CRICOS No. 00213J