The CQU Postgraduate Students’ Organisation (PSO) invites submissions for the 2005 awards for excellence.

These awards reward excellent work demonstrated by postgraduate students, and their supervisors, at CQU. They also raise the profile of postgraduate research projects and the CQU research community.

The excellence in research award recognises candidates who have demonstrated a high standard of research throughout their candidature, and, more importantly, who have also contributed to CQU’s research culture.

Students who have not successfully completed their confirmation are not eligible.

One ‘excellence’ award is to be made available per faculty; with the exception of Arts, Health and Sciences, where two (2) will be awarded (due to higher student enrolment). Criteria for judging (all equally weighted) are as follows:.

1. Timely completion of research to a high standard, notwithstanding delays resulting from external aspects beyond the candidates’ control.

2. Active particpation in research culture of their faculty and/or university community, especially by assistance or mentoring of other students, volunteering for projects that promote research and the university, and taking up positions on student boards and committees.

3. The ability to raise the research profile at CQU through authorship or involvement in internal and external acknowledgements. These could potentially include publications, news articles, sponsorships, collaborations, and awards (e.g. best student poster) arising from the project, and the value of the overall project in terms of end users, patents and/or commercialisation.

The encouragement in research award recognises those candidates in the early stages of their project who are doing commendable work, but could not be fairly judged alongside more ‘seasoned’ candidates. Possibly, the candidate may have experienced some adversity during the project and has been able to overcome this. One ‘encouragement’ award will be made available per faculty. Criteria for judging (all equally weighted) are as follows:.

1. Dedication and timely progress towards the confirmation milestone, especially in balancing study, life and family commitments. The ability to be persistent, with excellent organisational and time management skills in the initial project phases.

2. Problem solving ability; with the candidate showing promise of completing the project to a high standard, through applying logical, critical and creative thinking to research problems.

3. Enthusiasm and motivation: the student is keenly interested in their own research project, and those of other research higher degree candidates. The student has begun to contribute to research life through contributing to faculty events, attendance at seminars and extension programs, and by assisting undergraduates or other postgraduates with their work.

The excellence in supervision award recognises supervisors who have demonstrated high quality supervision towards one or a number of CQU postgraduate students. One (1) award will be made available per faculty. Criteria for judging (all equally weighted) are as follows:.

1. Availability and accessibility: the supervisor, within reasonable expectations, is readily contactable by his/her student(s) via personal consultation, phone, or email or other method, despite their location.

2. Timely and appropriate responses to student’s concerns: despite other commitments, the supervisor makes time to reply to student concerns, and deals with them thoroughly and in a professional manner. The supervisor is understanding, respectful and honest in academic and non-academic issues.

3. Value to the research community: the supervisor goes out of their way to provide encouragement and motivation to all researchers and postgraduate students, not just their own.

Additional information:.

Eligibility criteria must be satisfied in order to receive an award. Please ensure that you apply for only ONE award within your faculty. Equal weighting is to be given to students enrolled in Masters and PhD programs, part-time, full-time, internal and external candidates.

The awards shall be judged by the Faculty Research Committees of each faculty. Prizes may not be awarded in all categories, nor in all faculties, if there are no suitable recipients. Prizes for students include a certificate of merit, and an electronic storage device (USB pen). Supervisors shall receive a certificate of commendation.

Nominations will ONLY be accepted if received on the NOMINATION FORMS, which can be obtained from the PSO website (via the student association website, http://association.cqu.edu.au). Nominations should be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean (Research) in the relevant faculty (see below) no later than 31st October, 2005.

Arts, Health and Sciences: submit to Kay Wolfs (Bldg 6).

Business & Law: submit to Natalie Madden (Bldg 352).

Education and Creative Arts: submit to Vicki Fontaine (Bldg 33/G.25).

Engineering: submit to Kelly Beasley (Bldg 30).

Infocom: submit to Erin Hutchinson (Bldg 19/3.08).

Eligibility - postgraduate awards:.

Candidates are to be financial members of the CQU Student Association, and must have current enrolment at CQU (part-time, full-time, internal and external candidates) in either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); research masters program; or Doctor of Education (EdD). Candidates who are taking a leave of absence during the nomination period are not eligible.

Note: Awards are being offered for the first time in 2005. In future years, candidates who have already received an award may not be eligible.

Eligibility - supervisors award:.

Awards will be made to a member of CQU’s academic or research staff, who is involved in the supervision (principal or associate) of a CQU postgraduate student. Supervisors taking extended leave of absences or OSPRO during the nomination period shall not be eligible. Supervisors should be nominated by the postgraduate student(s) whom they supervise, not other members of CQU staff.