Groundbreaking research at Griffith University is leading the way in clean energy, with the use of carbon as a way to deliver energy using hydrogen.
Professor Xiangdong Yao and his team from Griffith’s Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre have successfully managed to use the element to produce hydrogen from water as a replacement for the much more costly platinum.
“Hydrogen production through an electrochemical process is at the heart of key renewable energy technologies including water splitting and hydrogen fuel cells,” says Professor Yao.
A great challenge
“Despite tremendous efforts, exploring cheap, efficient and durable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution still remains a great challenge.
“Platinum is the most active and stable electrocatalyst for this purpose, however its low abundance and consequent high cost severely limits its large-scale commercial applications.
“We have now developed this carbon-based catalyst, which only contains a very small amount of nickel and can completely replace the platinum for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production from water.
“In our research, we synthesize a nickel—carbon-based catalyst, from carbonization of metal-organic frameworks, to replace currently best-known platinum-based materials for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
“This nickel-carbon-based catalyst can be activated to obtain isolated nickel atoms on the graphitic carbon support when applying electrochemical potential, exhibiting highly efficient hydrogen evolution performance and impressive durability.”
Proponents of a hydrogen economy advocate hydrogen as a potential fuel formotive powerincluding cars and boats and on-board auxiliary power, stationary power generation (e.g., for the energy needs of buildings), and as an energy storage medium (e.g., for interconversion from excess electric power generated off-peak).
Professor Yao says that this work may enable new opportunities for designing and tuning properties of electrocatalysts at atomic scale for large-scale water electrolysis.
Griffith University has achieved its best ever result in the annual QS World University Subject Rankings, firmly illustrating its strength across disciplines.
Griffith was ranked in the top 100 institutions worldwide in nine subject areas (up from five in 2015) including a top 50 position in Nursing.
Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor said the tremendous outcome was influenced by several factors including the University’s growing reputation, demonstrated research quality and its formidable size and scale.
“While 18 subjects at Griffith were listed in the published rankings (up from 15 in 2015), the University scored in 37 subject areas of the 42 ranked by QS confirming its status as one of Australia’s most comprehensive research and teaching universities,” Professor O’Connor said.
“Griffith’s growing regard as a university of influence is evidenced by improved scores on the annual QS academic and employer reputation surveys.
“As was the case with ERA (Excellence in Research Australia) 2015, research at Griffith is attracting improved citation rates both in the traditional citation disciplines and even in the peer review disciplines.
“While reputation and quality are essential, an institution needs to have a substantial presence, both teaching and research, within a subject area to be ranked at all, and Griffith has that.”
New inclusions for Griffith’s Top 100 subject rankings are Nursing, Performing Arts, Development Studies and Social Policy and Administration. Architecture/Built Environment, Art & Design, Education, Law, and Politics and International Studies remain in the Top 100 band.
Other areas to increase in ranking position were Computer Sciences, Biological Sciences, Medicine, Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Communication & Media, Development studies and Social Policy and Administration.
The following table compares Griffith published outcomes in 2016 against 2015:
Table: QS World University Subject Rankings 2015 — 2016
Griffith is celebrating following the release of the annual QS World University Rankings which have placed the university’s Nursing and Midwifery programs at 29th in the world.
It is the first time that Griffith has had a discipline in the top 30.
“It’s not surprising that Griffith’s Nursing and Midwifery programs have ranked so high,” says Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery Professor Debra Anderson. “This result has arisen from the combined approach of the vision of our School to be a global leader in education and research scholarship, alongside the long-standing hard work of staff to achieve this vision. We are delighted at this result.
“The suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the School provides a high quality learning experience through innovative, flexible and evidence-based education to ensure our graduates are well placed to influence and make meaningful lifelong contributions to their communities and society.
“The ranking also confirms the outstanding achievement of our internationally renowned researchers and the high quality and impact of their work. This was recently evidenced by the School recently receiving a top ERA Research Excellence Ranking of 5 for showing “well above world standard”.”
A spectacular result
“This is a spectacular result and a real reflection of the calibre of our senior researchers and our evidence-based focus on teaching,” added Professor Tony Perkins, Dean (Academic) Health.
“At Griffith, we also have a very strong clinical focus with strong partnerships with providers such as the Gold Coast University Hospital.”
Griffith’s Nursing and Midwifery program achievement comes as the university achieves its best ever result, firmly illustrating its strength across disciplines.
Griffith was ranked in the top 100 institutions worldwide in nine subject areas (up from five in 2015) including a top 50 position in Nursing and Midwifery. https://news.griffith.edu.au/2016/03/22/griffith-scores-best-ever-qs-subject-rankings-across-the-board/
By Ashleigh Groote, Griffith University Student Representative Council Support Officer
The One Million Stars to end Violence project is an important initiative that should be considered this Harmony Day.
Maryann Talia Pau’s goal to reach 1 Million stars by June 2017 is a symbolic reference of solidarity to end violence; violence against women, bullying and racism within our community.
Working on the Student Representative Council here at Logan campus has been an eye opener into the issues that face Griffith University students.
Logan campus has a particularly unique cohort. Thus it seems obvious that the SRC should become involved in this project. The aim is to spread Maryann’s message about violence across Australia and help explain the symbolism behind weaving stars.
The goal for Griffith University is to weave 10,000 stars by 2017. Students at Logan campus have been quick to get involved.
Human Services and Education student Ashleigh Lowry says: “The Million Stars project is a great way to educate young women about violence in a non-confrontational way. Sitting down with a group of like-minded people it a great way to connect with the community”
“To me, the stars are a symbol of our efforts to prevent violence in society. Even a single star is a major contribution. When brought together, a significant difference is made.”
It’s anticipated that the million stars project will also strike a personal chord with Griffith students. The community at Griffith University Logan campus has an80% female population. This is significant, as statistics repeatedly show that women are more likely to experience violence from a (known) male perpetrator.
Having been a victim of family violence at a young age I have found that weaving the stars is somewhat therapeutic. It is a way to reflect upon the experiences of violence and to engage in a supportive community in which not all hope is lost.
The SRC will be supporting and promoting the One Million Stars Project, hosting Star Weaving Jam sessions throughout the year. Students are invited to visit the SRC office to weave their own star for the project.
1 Million Stars to End Violence founder Maryann Talia Pau will visit Griffith University’s Logan campus as part of Harmony Week celebrations today (Tuesday, March 22).
The Samoan-Australian artist has just returned from the Cook Islands, the first leg of her tour for the1 Million Stars to End Violenceproject, where she is establishing Weave 100 communities across the Commonwealth.
Each community will weave and collect 10,000 stars for inclusion in a massive installation at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Griffith has committed to weaving 10,000 stars as part of its commitment to the Commonwealth Games installation and the target will be well on its way with workshops led by Maryann who will demonstrate how to weave the stars.
“1 Million Stars to End Violenceis a love and peace-filled community project. These beautiful stars are symbols of light, courage and solidarity to end all forms of violence, including violence against women, bullying and racism,’’ Maryann said.
“The installation will be the culmination of five years of collaboration and a representation of how much can be achieved when we work together as a community.”
The goal for Griffith University is to weave 10 000 stars by 2017. Students at Logan campus have been quick to get involved.
“Griffith University is thrilled to be part of the Weave 100 Community,’’ says Lesley Chenoweth AO, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of Logan campus.
“We have been absolutely overwhelmed at the interest in this project. This is a wonderful opportunity for staff, students and the community to come together to make a stand against violence.”
Griffith students with ambitions to work in tourism, hotel management, engineering, human resource management, arts and culture, accounting, event management and marketing will have the ultimate networking opportunity when one of the groups behind the multi-billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane project visits the university in April.
Mark Mackay, Chief Operating Officer, Jupiters Hotel & Casino for the Star Entertainment Group in Queensland, will lead a team to Griffith’s Red Zones on the Nathan and Gold Coast campuses to showcase the new integrated resort development and outline imminent and exciting possibilities for students and researchers.
“This is a truly unique engagement opportunity with the potential for internship and employment opportunities for current students from right across the university,” Dr Caroline Riot, Griffith Business School, said.
Students interested in attending can register here.
“Study areas like tourism, hotel management and engineering instantly come to mind, but the extent of the project mean students from all the study groups should also be excited about potential work experience prospects.”
Employment opportunities
“We will have an Australian group on campus which currently operates three properties — Jupiters Gold Coast, Treasury Casino & Hotel in Brisbane, and The Star in Sydney — and will start the construction next year of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort development.
“This future flagship development will feature 50 new bars, cafes and restaurants, an iconic Sky Deck, a 1500-seat ballroom, 2000 apartments, a moonlight cinema and five new hotels including The Ritz Carlton.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk signed off on the development last November which will create a total of 10,000 jobs for southeast Queensland, including construction and operational jobs.
A Destination Brisbane Consortium, made up of The Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based investment company Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited and the Far East Consortium (Australia) Pty Limited, will develop and operate the project which is expected to bring an additional 1.4 million tourists a year to Brisbane once complete.
Five new hotels, plus an integrated resort including a casino and a link across the Brisbane River to South Bank will be built.
“Students and staff attending the Red Zone events will get an in-depth overview of the development plan with an opportunity to explore research and internship possibilities,” Dr Riot said.
Mark Mackay will be accompanied by Leith Wiblen, General Manager Human Resources Queensland, Griffith graduate Amanda Spencer, Recruitment Manager Queensland from The Star Entertainment Group and Griffith’s liaison officers, for the Griffith ‘Meet The Star’ events.
The first will be hosted on Tuesday, April 19, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on the Nathan campus with the second event on the Gold Coast campus on Wednesday, April 27, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
A team of Griffith Business School students was one of three teams to represent the University at the regional stages of the 2016 Hult Prize Challenge, the largest student competition on the planet.
Made up of three social marketing researchers and a human resources postgraduate student, the group took its plan for economic growth in the slums of Sao Paolo to Shanghai in March where 50 teams from around the world competed for a place the final rounds of the prestigious competition.
“Although we didn’t win we got a great deal from this experience,” business student, David Schmidtke, said after the results were revealed.
Students worldwide were vying for the ultimate prize of $1 million start-up funding for a project that addresses the global challenge of crowded urban spaces.
“We had developed an income redistribution strategy with the aim of creating new revenue streams to improve quality of life among slum dwellers in Brazil,” David Schmidtke said.
“We wanted to set up industrial kitchens in or near the slums and deliver lunch-box style meals to companies in the city using new bicycle lanes that are part of emerging infrastructure in Sao Paolo.”
Clinton challenge
The Hult Prize Challenge, which is supported by former US President Bill Clinton, brings together the skills and talents of some of the world’s brightest business school students to address specific and measurable problems.
Over the years, winning teams have found innovative ways to improve nutrition, manage chronic disease, and to educate young children.
For 2016 Bill Clinton challenged students to come up with a social enterprise that addresses the needs of people living in crowded, impoverished urban spaces by building sustainable, scalable, and fast-growing businesses that can double the income of millions by better connecting them with goods, services, and access to capital.
“As social marketers, we are socially motivated,” David Schmidtke said. “There are not enough employment opportunities for the poorest people in the world, and we saw this as an opportunity to tackle poverty. With some training, we are confident that people living in Brazilian slums would be able to make basic, healthy meals for others.”
The Griffith team, which also includes Cuong Pham, Dan Langerud and Brazilian native, Patricia David, has already contacted a potential business partner in Sao Paulo.
Two other Griffith teams also presented their plans at March regionals in London and San Francisco, making Griffith University the only Australian University to be represented on three fronts at this stage of the competition.
In total, five regionals took place in March with 50 teams in competition at each location (also including Boston and Dubai). One team from each region progressed to an accelerator program round in Boston later in 2016.
Law careers are one step closer for three Griffith Law School graduates who have been awarded positions with a prestigious Brisbane law firm’s graduate program.
Sam Nean, Emi Christensen and Naomi Midha will take up the two-year program with Norton Rose Fulbright at the end of March.
Their individual journeys from student to lawyer may have taken slightly different paths but all have their sights firmly set on burgeoning international careers.
Sam knew she wanted to be a lawyer from a very young age and once she reached high school where she undertook legal studies she discovered a passion for advocacy.
“It was clear to me that law underpins everything in society and I wanted to be a part of that,’’ she said.
As a Griffith Honours College student, Sam was chosen to attend an International Youth leadership conference in Prague prior to studying a semester on exchange.
“It was an amazing experience and I learnt a great deal about the European system of governance and law.”
After graduating from Griffith in 2014 she spent a year as a judge’s associate in the Supreme Court, which she said, was an invaluable experience.
“It gave me a practical insight into how the justice system works. I’m now looking forward to seeing how things happen on the other side as a lawyer with Norton Rose Fulbright.”
Sam hopes to practice in litigation and develop an international focus in her work.
International experience
Emi, also a Griffith Honours College student travelled extensively throughout her degree which took her six years to complete instead of five because of her international commitments.
She studied human rights and leadership in Prague in 2012, spent a semester at the University of Copenhagen on exchange in 2013, and in 2014 was awarded a Prime Minister’s Scholarship (now the New Colombo Plan) to study in Japan.
While in Japan, she completed an honours thesis on indigenous human rights, with case studies on the Japanese Ainu people and Australia’s indigenous people.
“I’m looking forward to starting my career at a global law firm with a commitment to community and social responsibility.”
For Naomi, a career as an economist was her initial dream but at her father’s suggestion, she chose to study law as well as commerce.
“Once I started studying law I realised it really suited my personality as I love communicating and interacting with people and I love the problem-solving that’s part and parcel of law.”
Originally from India, Naomi moved to Australia when she was eight but her family moved back to India when she was a teenager and she completed Years 11 and 12 in India.
“I consider myself Australian so when I went back to India it was a huge cultural shock but I can honestly say it was the best experience. I loved it and it made me appreciate how lucky we are in Australia.”
Naomi chose to study at the Griffith Law School because of its reputation and she wasn’t disappointed.
“I wanted to work in Australia and I heard a lot of good things about the Griffith law program and its focus on practical as well as theoretical concepts.
Like Emi and Sam, Naomi also participated in an international internship, hers in India at a real estate firm. Her Australian experience includes working at a small Gold Coast-based boutique firm when she was part of the litigation team on one of the biggest personal insolvency cases in Australia.
“I am interested in many different aspects of commercial law and the graduate program will help me decide.”
In whatever area of law they work, one thing is clear, the future is bright for this young trio of lawyers.
Are you interested in improving your leadership skills and playing an active role in the Griffith community?
Interning with the world’s premier surfing body has been the experience of a lifetime for five Griffith University students.
Thejournalism and PR students embraced thehectic pace of the QuikSilver and Roxy Pro World Surfing competition at Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta in March.
“It’s been a fantastic experience and has really given us an insight into the life of a busy media professional,’’ says Jasmine Buck who worked alongside Stephanie Davis, Samantha Harland, Taylor Bey and Shaun Carney.
“We attended interviews with athletes, wrote media releases and made invaluable industry contacts.”
Bachelor of Communication student Stephanie David agrees. “The internship has definitely given us confidence and has helped prepare us for jobs once we graduate.”
Canadian student Taylor said being able to participate in one of the world’s best professional sporting events was an amazing experience.
“As a public relations student I knew the World Surf League would be the perfect opportunity to learn about the industry.
“I’ve worked with the media and the post production team, interviewed some of the athletes and was able to get up close and personal with some of the most famous surfers in the world.”
This is the 12th year Griffith University has partnered with Quiksilver with more than 60 students completing the internship.
World Surf League Production Manager Kate Bain says the long-standing relationship with the university and Quiksilver & Roxy Pro has been a great platform for many of the students to launch their careers.
“This year we have a great young bunch of talented students who are involved in multiple areas of the event ranging from media and PR through to live broadcast and helping as production assistants and coordinators.
“Our aim is to provide students with knowledge and contacts that may help them achieve their chosen career paths.
“Many of the interns have gone onto employment throughout the surf industry over the years. This internship opens doors.”
“The internship program is an example of how our journalism and public relations courses are very practically oriented,’’ says convenor Professor Stephen Stockwell from the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences.
“Many of our graduates have gone on to enjoy challenging media careers as a result of undertaking the internship.”
