A Griffith University researcher will receive the prestigious Hind Rattan Award in his native India on Saturday.
The NRI Welfare Society of India has selected Dr Rakesh Gupta to be among the 30 recipients of the Jewel of India Award for 2014, acknowledging his outstanding services and achievements in keeping the Indian flag high since he moved to Australia in 2000.
Dr Gupta will be presented with the Hind Rattan Award in New Delhi on the eve of Republic Day on January 25.
Dr Gupta is a senior lecturer at Griffith Business School where he teaches in finance and financial planning, and a leading researcher at the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics.
“I am very thankful to Griffith University for the support and the excellent resources available here,” he said.
“This has allowed me to continue my research as a scholar and gain recognition not only in Australia but in India as well. This recognition in India is significant for me, being from Indian heritage, and helps in maintaining my emotional and cultural ties with India.”
The Hind Rattan is presented annually to people of Indian origin who have been successful since emigrating overseas.
Dr Gupta completed a Master of Commerce in accounting and finance and subsequently a doctorate in emerging markets investments since moving to Australia 13 years ago. He had previously completed an MBA in finance and a degree in science.
He has extensive experience working in the finance and financial planning industry in different roles in India and Australia.
His research is regularly cited in academic journals and professional publications including class action litigation against Satyam Computer Services Ltd during 2008. One of his recent papers in the area of managed funds research has been awarded highly commended paper for the year 2012.
His research in the area of emerging markets is also well regarded. He has presented his findings at world-renowned conferences and been invited for presenting seminars frequently.
The NRI Welfare Society of India is a non-profit association that aims to strengthen emotionalbonds between non-resident Indians and their homeland.
The Hind Rattan Award encourages non-resident recipients to stay engaged with India and contribute to its progress and development, helping to build a strong and competitive economy.
The NRI Welfare Society of India provides a platform for NRIs all over the world to stay actively connected. The Society is registered with the Government of India, which set up a new ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.
Associate Professor Rod Lyon
Forget the James Bond reputation and the hype surrounding Edward Snowden’s protracted leaks, intelligence activities can be a valuable asset when shaping government policy.
Associate Professor Rod Lyon discusses the good and the bad of government intelligence gathering in his article Intelligence: actions and their meanings for The Strategist, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute blog.
The best and brightest popular music talent from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith Universitywill bring life to the Australia Day Festival in the South Bank Parklands this Sunday 26 January.
Nine fresh musical acts – Hussy Hicks, Josh Lovegrove, Double Lined Minority, Maximo, Lani & Lecia, Bambini, Cody Butler, Jackson James Smith and Georgia Potter are among the line-up set to feature across five stages from 12.15pm to 7pm.
Each of the acts are either current students or recent graduates of the Bachelor of Popular Music (BPM) program and will showcase free, live original music.
The musicians are on the cusp of their professional careers and these gigs will offer local audiences the opportunity to uncover some new unearthed talent, according to Queensland Conservatorium Deputy Director (Gold Coast) Donna Weston.
“The BPM program has launched the careers of musicians from the likes of bands such as The Delta Riggs, Nine Sons of Dan, The John Steele Singers and Wolfmother,” she says.
“Each year we see new talent come through the ranks that continues to impress, so it is perfect timing for music lovers to experience this first-hand.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians to experience life as an independent artist and for local audiences to see the level of creativity bred in our hometown.”
The all-ages Australia Day Festival will showcase this new music alongside interactive art installations, a traditional flag raising ceremony complete with the thunderous RAAF flypast and twenty-one gun salute, Young Designer Markets and a fireworks display.
Featured artist Josh Lovegrove has just returned home from his debut appearance at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and his fifth performance at the Woodford Folk Festival.
He plans to release his brand new EP this year, almost two years since his first single hit iTunes — although he says a lot has happened during that time.
“I’ve been performing relentlessly around this beautiful country with my first North Queensland ‘See You Soon’ headline tour, I’ve explored the whole East Coast of Australia from Cairns to the Great Ocean Road and throughout the Northern Territory,” he says.
“I’ve met so many amazing people, seen the most incredible sunsets and had some of the best times of my life. This next record is a collection of some of those moments.”
To see Josh and the other artists perform at the Australia Day Festival in South Bank this weekend, check out the full program on the Australia Day website.
Learn more about theQueensland Conservatorium’s Bachelor of Popular Music and the Seed Project.
Griffith alumnus, Dr Hum Gurung,received the Australian Alumni Award for Community Service at the Australian Alumni Excellence Awards held in Kathmandu on Monday 20th January.
The award recognises Dr Gurung’s exemplary contribution towards the advancement of the community through selfless service.
Since completing his PhD at Griffith in 2008, Dr Gurung has dedicated his life to promoting environmental conservation in Nepal.
Professor Ralf Buckley, principal supervisor of Dr Gurung’s PhD and Director of Griffith’s International Centre for Ecotourism Research said Dr Gurung has become a respected ambassador of conservation between Nepal and Australia.
“When we ran a field course for our ecotourism students in Annapurna and Chitwan some years ago, it was Dr Gurung who arranged all the logistics and local contacts, negotiated some difficult politics at the time, and arranged for local experts to give us the benefits of their practical experience,” Professor Buckley said.
Since then, Dr Gurung has worked with the Government of Nepal on a variety of projects, including the formulation of Nepal’s Sustainable Development Agenda.
He has also provided consultancy services to global environmental organisations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Dr Gurung is often invited as a keynote speaker to share his knowledge and expertise in the field of biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism and environmental education. He is also one of the most quoted conservationists in Nepal in both print and electronic media.
As the third resident from his village (Sikles in central Nepal) to receive a PhD, Dr Gurung is dedicated to promoting education in his local community. Through his roles as President of the Chandra Gurung Conservation Foundation and President of the Tamu Educational and Career Advancement Network (TECANET), Dr Gurung plays a key role in promoting education and career development and providing scholarships to students experiencing financial hardship.
Professor Jean-Marc Hero, Deputy Director of the Environmental Futures Research Institute at Griffith University said that Dr Gurung has helped to formalise strong links between Griffith University and many government and non-government organisations in Nepal.
“Dr Gurung continues to play a vital role in maintaining these relationships and ensuring the teaching and research programs continue into the future,” he said.
Dr Gurung is currently investigating opportunities for further partnerships with Griffith University with the view of developing volunteer opportunities for Australian nursing students to work in Sikles and provide much needed support to local health workers.
The Griffith red couch is hitting the streets of Brisbane and the Gold Coast in January to promote the new flexible learning opportunities through Griffith Online Degrees.
To add to the fun we are asking the new friends we meet to jump on the couch and strike a pose for flexible learning and share their photos on Instagram using #theredcouch for the chance to win an iPad Mini.
Catch us this week on on the Gold Coast from Thursday 23 at Robina, Pacific Fair and Marina Mirage, Friday 24 at The Southport Spit, Main Beach and Surfers Paradise, Saturday 25 Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads and Currumbin.
A winner will be drawn on Wednesday 5 February, 2014 and notified by email within two weeks of the draw.
See our competitionterms and conditionsfor details.
Here are some of the instagrams from our recent visit to Brisbane with#theredcouch.
@loupinkchick – #theredcouch
@steviemoniquevee – #theredcouch #griffithuni #fun #love #friends #southbank #sun #hot #pleaseletmewin #impoor #broke #needit #comeon #helpme
@danieltucker – #theredcouch @griffithuniversity #atlas #atlasbrisbane #southbank ☗0 comments38 likes
@onelittlereason – #theredcouch @rhiannonelizabeth92 @sophiestreets @loupinkhick
@mufomaringe – Straight coolin on #theredcouch @griffithuniversity
@yeeb12 – #theredcouch griffith represzent !!!
@llouw1 – #theredcouch @GriffithUniversity
@anitajoywinch – #theredcouch @griffithuniversity #southbank #sun #swimming @bennihopps
Professor Geoff Pryde from Griffith University’s Centre for Quantum Dynamics has been awarded the 2014 Pawsey Medal by The Australian Academy of Science.
The Pawsey Medal is awarded each year to an outstanding Australian scientist in the field of physics who has held their PhD for fewer than 15 years.
Professor Pryde is Deputy Director of Griffith’s Centre for Quantum Dynamics where he has been a key researcher since 2006. He is presentlyan Australian Research Council Future Fellow and a Program Manager in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology.
The prestigious annual Australian Academy of Science awards honour career researchers for life-long achievements as well as recognising outstanding early-career researchers. In addition, the Academy gives a number of awards each year for research and travel support.
Academy President, Professor Suzanne Cory, warmly congratulated each recipient for their remarkable achievements in science.
“It is the Academy’s privilege to recognise excellence in diverse fields of science,” Academy President, Professor Suzanne Cory said.
Pro Vice Chancellor of Griffith Sciences, Professor Debra Henly said she was delighted by the Professor Pryde’s award.
“Professor Pryde’s contributions to the field of quantum physics are now being applied in the pursuit of world-changing new technologies, in particular optical quantum computing,” Professor Henly said.
Professor Pryde’s research achievements over the last decade have included the firstmeasurements scaling at the absolute quantumlimit of precision; the first entangling optical quantumcomputer logic gate;the lowest-noise quantum amplifier; fundamental experimental studies of quantumentanglement, and pioneering techniques for measuring and controlling quantumsystems.
Professor Pryde said the he was very pleased to have been recognised by the Academy of Science in this way.
“This is welcome acknowledgement, not only of my work, but also all of the great research being done at the Centre for Quantum Dynamics in the field of quantum information science,” Professor Pryde said.
“I also feel very privileged to be part of the world-leading research collaboration which takes place at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation Communication Technology.
“And I would particularly like to take this opportunity to thank my postgraduate students who work so tirelessly in the Quantum Optics and Information Lab here at Griffith. They are making a major contribution to expanding knowledge in this critical field.”
A dream to work in brain injury rehabilitation has been the fuel for study for Hannah Smith from Forestdale.
The Bachelor of Psychology and Criminology Honours student is currently in the fifth year of her study at Griffith’s Mt Gravatt campus. Having studied the criminology component of the program mainly for interest, Hannah says she is really enjoying the broad range of topics within psychology which have now provided her with a keen interest in neuropsychology.
As part of her Honours requirements, she is working alongside Griffith Health Institute’s Dr Mark Chappell to complete a research study examining how people perceive optical illusions.
“My study is looking at the flash-lag illusion,” she says. “When a flashed stimulus is presented in alignment with a moving stimulus, we perceive the flash to be lagging behind that of the moving object. So this research is trying to isolate the parts of the visual system that create this illusion. We hope that this information can be applied to road and air safety, as well as ball sports.”
As part of her goal career goals, Hannah worked in the brain injury rehabilitation unit at the PA Hospital in Brisbane where she had the chance to undertake a practical component over a five week period.
Great real-life experience
“It was really great to get some real-life experience of what goes on in these units and it confirmed my decision to work within neuropsychology.”
Hannah says the opportunity to join the Griffith Honours College was a goal she worked towards during her first year of study because of the opportunities available for members.
Designed for outstanding students, the Griffith Honours College provides students with enriching experiences in combination with undergraduate degree studies.
Part of this opportunity was the chance to go on a study exchange to the UK where Hannah completed two semesters of her degree at London Metropolitan University.
“That was really one of the best decisions I’ve ever made as it allowed me to experience the culture of other universities and network with other like-minded people in my particular study area.”
Now weighing up her career choices, Hannah says she is looking at options including working as a psychologist in an acute phase brain injury unit.
“I am excited about where the program is taking me. It’s a competitive world out there, so acquiring this depth of knowledge helps to gain an edge and opens up opportunities such as progressing onto a Doctorate in psychology which is what I hope to be pursuing next.
“I am thankful that Griffith has provided me with so many opportunities and so much experience.”
Griffith University has called for papers to be submitted for the first East-West Dialogue on Tourism and the Chinese Dream to be hosted on the Gold Coast later this year.
The high-level, bilateral discussions will bring together more than 100 representatives of Australian and Chinese government, education and research institutions, and the tourism industry.
The plan for the Dialogue is being developed and structured by Professor Susanne Becken, Griffith Institute for Tourism with Professor Dave Weaver, GIFT, and Dr Peiyi Ding, Deputy Director of Griffith’s Tourism Confucius Institute.
“Papers will focus on what the China Dream is about and how tourism can facilitate the dream,” Professor Weaver said.
The inspirational ‘China Dream’ slogan was used liberally by new Chinese President Xi Jinping in his first address as head of state last March, and has been at the heart of a Chinese state media campaign since then.
It involves themes of national renewal, rejuvenation, development, prosperity and peace, while also encouraging greater engagement between China and other nations through international trade and economic development.
The East-West Dialogue will discuss how tourism can engage with the China Dream to the economic benefit of both countries.
“It is important to understand Chinese tourists and their needs,” Professor Susanne Becken (left), director of GIFT, said.
“The combination of GIFT, the Tourism Confucius Centre and a key tourist destination like the Gold Coast makes this an ideal location to host this dialogue. We are to the forefront and in a strong position to work with the Chinese tourism authorities.”
China is expected to be the fourth-largest source of outbound travel in the world by 2020, with 100 million travellers.
Australia hosted 827,624 Chinese group visitors in 2012. The Chinese inbound tourism market has become the third largest market for Australia.
The East-West Dialogue takes place in November 2014, in the lead-up to the G20 Leaders Summit starts in Brisbane.
“Economic issues are at the heart of the G20 and the tourism industry is a major part of the world economy. In addition, China will be a big player at the G20 Summit,” Professor Weaver (left) said.
“Through the Dialogue, we will also ask if tourism inhibits or hinders the Chinese Dream. To what extent is a middle-aged Chinese couple on holiday in Australia living the China Dream?”
The East-West Dialogue takes place from November 13-15, 2014.
High school students in Brisbane will join Griffith University students for a series of G20-related discussions and debates this year.
The innovation is the brainchild of Dr Tapan Sarker at the Griffith Business School and feeds into the Y20 element of the G20 Leaders Summit which takes place in Brisbane in November.
Australia will host a Youth 20 Summit as part of its G20 presidency this year. The Y20 is a forum for developing cooperation with the future generation, and provides a platform for young people to voice their needs, opinions and interests on issues relevant to the G20 agenda.
Griffith’s latest community outreach initiative will place Year 11 and Year 12 students alongside undergraduate and postgraduate students for a series of three-hour blended learning sessions.
“Students will come into a university setting and take part in debates about issues important to the future,” Dr Sarker (left) said.
“We aim to improve awareness of the role G20 countries play in energy transition. Our focus will be on the challenges of rising energy demand in Australia, and in emerging economies of G20 nations like Brazil, Russia, India, China and Indonesia.
“It is important that our students become future leaders whose beliefs are backed by informed discussion and debate. They will be exposed to facts, figures and conflicting opinions.”
Sustainability Theme
Professor Heidi Dahles, head of the Department of International Business and Asian Studies, welcomed an “excellent” initiative. “It conveys to our students the urgency of positioning issues of clean energy and environmental security as major items on the G20 agenda,” she said.
“This initiative once again demonstrates the particular efforts that Griffith Business School is making in integrating the theme of sustainability into its educational programs.”
Professor Andrew O’Neil, Director of the Griffith Asia Institute, noted that the initiative reflected Griffith’s broader recognition of the strong relationship between the economic rise of Asia and the increasing influence of the G20, which includes global powerhouses, China and India.
The high school students will take part in a number of lectures during each semester, starting with a graduate level Politics of the Global Economy course in March.
“Covering subjects like migration, globalisation, climate change, international trade, Australia in the global economy, microcredit, foreign aid, urbanisation and climate change, this course has a strong G20 theme,” Dr Sarker said.
An interdisciplinary undergraduate level Energy and Environmental Security course will provide the setting for the second semester.
“We will look at how G20 countries can work towards greener and cleaner forms of energy and ask what the future holds for alternative energy in the Asia Pacific region. Do young people have a vision of what the energy-related future for Australia will be?” Dr Sarker said.
The high school students will exchange views with Griffith students from a range of disciplines including business and government, industrial relations, law, energy systems engineering, environmental management and planning and international management.
“As an academic institution we have a role to play in the community and the G20 Leader Summit in Brisbane represents an ideal opportunity. It is a great platform for Griffith to discuss and debate contemporary topics through interactive learning.”
Griffith University will offer more than 9,500 applicants the opportunity to study an undergraduate degree at one of its five campuses.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Susan H Spence said she was pleased with the outcome of the January 2014 main admission round where Griffith experienced an increased demand from School Leavers, despite a decline across Queensland in overall applications for tertiary entry.
“We are delighted that there has been another year of solid demand for domestic undergraduate places across all campuses and disciplines, leading to higher cut-offs in Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Nursing (Gold Coast), Commerce and Education.” Professor Spence said.
“We look forward to welcoming a whole new intake of Griffith students ready to begin their academic journey.”
In 2014, Griffith’s Health Sciences programs have once again proven to be among those in highest demand. They include; Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Science; Bachelor of Biomedical Science; Bachelor of Exercise Science (Pre-Physiotherapy); Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics, Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery.
“Griffith continues to build its reputation as a highly competitive university and the one of choice for many students opting for a career in the health science arena,” Professor Spence said.
There has been strong interest in a number of programs on the Gold Coast campus which are new in 2014; including the Bachelor of Industrial Design and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
“It was also encouraging to see increased demand for the exciting, reinvigorated Bachelor of Science program at the Nathan campus,” Professor Spence said.
South Bank programs, such as Bachelor of Fine Art, Bachelor of Games Design, Bachelor of Film & Screen Media Production, Bachelor of Animation, and of course the various programs at the Queensland ConservatoriumGriffith University, continue to enjoy high rates of demand.
For those applicants who miss out on first round offers, the message is clear; don’t despair.
There is still time to change preferences and Griffith expects to bein a position to make additional offers to well-qualified applicants across arange of programs in subsequent admission rounds continuing through February.
Exclusions, however,will be South Bank Campus programs which are in the main fully subscribed and a range of Health programs including Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics and Physiotherapy.
