Central Queensland University today (Thursday, May 24) launched the first of its research flagships.

These areas of research priority are part of CQU's contribution to supporting the sustainable growth and prosperity of its home region for generations.

Professor Jennelle Kyd

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jennelle Kyd told an audience at QREX (the Queensland Resources Expo) that CQU was investing significant resources to ensure that the capacity and focus of the University's research efforts enabled them to achieve their potential and reputation on the national stage.

The ‘Resourcing Queensland' flagship is one of the leading research themes. Three other major themes contribute to the University's major research portfolio. Of relevance to the QREX audience are the areas focusing on Healthy Communities and Dynamic Business Environments.

Professor Kyd said ‘Resourcing Queensland' would thematically integrate several research centres as pillars contributing to this theme.  Amongst these are the Centre for Rail Engineering (CRE), the Process Engineering and Light Metals (PELM) Centre, the Centre for Environmental Management (CEM) and the Institute for Sustainable Regional Development (ISRD).

"Part of the vision is enhancing  the specialised industry-specific hubs of knowledge and technology infrastructure distributed in a strategic and focused way across our regional campuses," she said.

Professor Kyd said CQU would:

- focus its research efforts in the industrial environmental areas to enhance the international reputation of these areas;

- provide more effective networks and links locally and nationally to enhance both discipline-specific and cross-discipline research activities; and

- provide greater capacity and capability within available research expertise and facilities that link effectively with the industry sector.

Professor Kyd said the other flagship areas, such as ‘Healthy Communities' and  Dynamic Business Environments,  focus our research efforts in these important areas, but the results of their research are also fundamental and add value to the requirements of the industry sectors in any region.

Part of the breakfast crowd