Published Wednesday, 16 July, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
UQ Honorary Doctorate recognises strong contribution to Queensland–South Carolina relationship
Minister for Trade John Mickel today congratulated Dr Andrew Sorensen, President of the University of South Carolina (USC), on receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Queensland.
Mr Mickel said that the Honorary Doctorate recognised Dr Sorensen’s distinguished services to higher education and to the fostering of research and teaching links between The University of Queensland and the University of South Carolina.
“On behalf of the Queensland Government, I congratulate Dr Sorensen on his career as an influential and high-ranking representative of the pre-eminent academic institution in our Sister State, South Carolina, and on his work over many years to create stronger educational links with Queensland” Mr Mickel said.
“I welcomed Dr Sorensen to Queensland at an event at Parliament House yesterday (Tuesday 15 July) to acknowledge his strong contribution to the Queensland–South Carolina Sister State relationship and the many business, academic and research relationships that have been built between the two States.
“Founded in 1999, this Sister State relationship is one of the Queensland Government’s most active international relationships. In recent years a number of significant science and technology links have been developed.
“To date, seven government-level Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) have been signed. These are in addition to the Sister State Agreement. The MOUs cover areas such as economic cooperation, tourism, education, and biotechnology.
“Additionally, institutional-level agreements and collaborative projects aimed at building and strengthening scientific, educational, commercial, tourism and cultural links have been initiated,” Mr Mickel said.
Dr Sorensen is visiting Queensland from 14 to 20 July to meet with a number of key university officials.
The USC is South Carolina’s most comprehensive research university and the Queensland Government has been working with USC to develop science and technology links with Queensland universities that bring significant economic and social benefits.
“Exciting outcomes from this work include collaborative agreements between The University of Queensland and USC in the varied areas of parenting and family research, and hydrogen fuel cell research.
“USC hosts the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Centre for Fuel Cells and plays a leading role in the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance.
“Clean and green energy is definitely an area that the Queensland Government is supporting. Brisbane hosted the World Hydrogen Energy Conference here in June this year and the Alliance was a sponsor of this event.
“The arts sector is also benefiting from the strong relationship we have fostered with South Carolina. USC has a vigorous writers’ program headed by Queenslander Dr Janette Turner-Hospital who holds an Honorary Doctorate from UQ and is the Carolina Distinguished Professor and Distinguished Writer-in-Residence within the College of Arts and Sciences in English Language and Literature in USC,” Mr Mickel said.
Educational ties with USC have also resulted in the reciprocal arrangements in student exchange programs between USC’s Moore School of Business and Queensland University of Technology’s Faculty of Business. The program enables postgraduate business students from each university to develop valuable overseas experience through a semester of foreign study.
“Education and research are so important, but so is commercialisation,” Mr Mickel said.
“Getting a product off the page and into the market is a focus of a collaborative agreement signed with the Australian Institute for Commericalisation (AIC), based in Brisbane, to provide reciprocal service to clients that will afford them a greater opportunity to commercialise their innovations in the US.
“These are just some examples of where the Queensland Government continues to build and develop strong ties with South Carolina, and with the University of South Carolina. That’s good for Queensland and it’s good for South Carolina,” Mr Mickel said.
Minister’s office: John Smith 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
July 16, 2008
Mr Mickel said that the Honorary Doctorate recognised Dr Sorensen’s distinguished services to higher education and to the fostering of research and teaching links between The University of Queensland and the University of South Carolina.
“On behalf of the Queensland Government, I congratulate Dr Sorensen on his career as an influential and high-ranking representative of the pre-eminent academic institution in our Sister State, South Carolina, and on his work over many years to create stronger educational links with Queensland” Mr Mickel said.
“I welcomed Dr Sorensen to Queensland at an event at Parliament House yesterday (Tuesday 15 July) to acknowledge his strong contribution to the Queensland–South Carolina Sister State relationship and the many business, academic and research relationships that have been built between the two States.
“Founded in 1999, this Sister State relationship is one of the Queensland Government’s most active international relationships. In recent years a number of significant science and technology links have been developed.
“To date, seven government-level Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) have been signed. These are in addition to the Sister State Agreement. The MOUs cover areas such as economic cooperation, tourism, education, and biotechnology.
“Additionally, institutional-level agreements and collaborative projects aimed at building and strengthening scientific, educational, commercial, tourism and cultural links have been initiated,” Mr Mickel said.
Dr Sorensen is visiting Queensland from 14 to 20 July to meet with a number of key university officials.
The USC is South Carolina’s most comprehensive research university and the Queensland Government has been working with USC to develop science and technology links with Queensland universities that bring significant economic and social benefits.
“Exciting outcomes from this work include collaborative agreements between The University of Queensland and USC in the varied areas of parenting and family research, and hydrogen fuel cell research.
“USC hosts the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Centre for Fuel Cells and plays a leading role in the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance.
“Clean and green energy is definitely an area that the Queensland Government is supporting. Brisbane hosted the World Hydrogen Energy Conference here in June this year and the Alliance was a sponsor of this event.
“The arts sector is also benefiting from the strong relationship we have fostered with South Carolina. USC has a vigorous writers’ program headed by Queenslander Dr Janette Turner-Hospital who holds an Honorary Doctorate from UQ and is the Carolina Distinguished Professor and Distinguished Writer-in-Residence within the College of Arts and Sciences in English Language and Literature in USC,” Mr Mickel said.
Educational ties with USC have also resulted in the reciprocal arrangements in student exchange programs between USC’s Moore School of Business and Queensland University of Technology’s Faculty of Business. The program enables postgraduate business students from each university to develop valuable overseas experience through a semester of foreign study.
“Education and research are so important, but so is commercialisation,” Mr Mickel said.
“Getting a product off the page and into the market is a focus of a collaborative agreement signed with the Australian Institute for Commericalisation (AIC), based in Brisbane, to provide reciprocal service to clients that will afford them a greater opportunity to commercialise their innovations in the US.
“These are just some examples of where the Queensland Government continues to build and develop strong ties with South Carolina, and with the University of South Carolina. That’s good for Queensland and it’s good for South Carolina,” Mr Mickel said.
Minister’s office: John Smith 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
July 16, 2008