The University of Queensland is committed to forging strong, longstanding alliances with government, institutions, corporations, foundations, friends and alumni throughout North America in order to strengthen research outcomes, generate student exchange opportunities, build esteem, grow reputational support and foster continued excellence in teaching and learning.

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The University of Queensland (UQ) is advancing its international engagement activities in North America with the development of a formal strategy to expand highly valued linkages and partnerships. The University of Queensland has over 80 agreements with US institutions, and 46 partnerships with USA-based universities, corporations, foundations and organisations. UQ is also reconnecting with its 7,000 alumni in North America and has hosted dinners and meetings in Vancouver, Seattle, Washington, DC, and New York. Plans are underway for alumni networking, ambassadorial and mentoring programs throughout North America.

UQ's strategy in the USA and Canada will encourage and support research collaboration and commercialisation; foster faculty and student exchange;and rally the support of the University's North America‐based community of alumni and friends.

 

The strategic objectives of the UQ North America office are to:

further research collaboration outcomes; facilitate strategic education partnerships; facilitate philanthropic investment; and increase university staff and student

mobility with partner institutions and organisations in North America.

Dedicated staff members work to manage and implement UQ’s global and philanthropic programs in North America. UQ has more than 7,000 recorded alumni living in North America. The University is reconnecting with alumni and has hosted dinners and meetings in Vancouver, SeattleWashington, DC, and New York. Plans are underway for a sustained alumni networking, ambassadorial and mentoring programs throughoutNorth America.

In 2011, The University of Queensland in America, Inc. received its 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status. It is dedicated to supporting the mission of the University and its students through fundraising and promotional programs. The inaugural Chair of the Foundation is the Chair and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company, Andrew Liveris. 

 

 

Partnerships and Collaborations The University of Queensland is currently involved in over 2,300 research projects with collaborators in more than 50 countries, AUD$43 million of which involve a North American-based partner.

Climate change and the urgent need to secure fuel supplies have made the development of clean fuels a top priority. A research agreement between UQ and Clemson University, South Carolina, allows some of the world’s best biofuels scientists to collaborate on alternative energy concepts.

The UQ SCRAMSPACE program – in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, the University of Minnesota and BAE Systems – will test the possibility of launching faster, more cost-effective communication satellites, which will potentially be able to travel from one side of the planet to the other in a few hours.

UQ’s School of Medicine has partnered with world-acclaimed Louisiana healthcare organization, the Ochsner Health System, to meet increasing US demand for physicians. The unique partnership enables UQ’s US medical students to study two years of their MBBS degree in Brisbane and two years at Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans.

UQ annually hosts a cohort of Stanford University undergraduate students from the Australian Coastal Studies program. Students attend lectures and participate in excursions to UQ’s research station in the Great Barrier Reef. Expert UQ professors deliver courses on rainforests and coral reef diversity contributing to students’ deeper understanding of these vulnerable ecosystems.

UQ North America Staff

Ms Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna, Director of Advancement & Executive Director, The University ofQueensland in America, Inc.

Khatmeh joined UQ in April 2012 with more than 25 years of experience as anadvancement professional in both higher education and the non-profit sector, most recently with New Jersey City University and The New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Khatmeh oversees implementation of UQ’s USA strategy, and leads the university’s advancement activities in the USA – including fundraising and philanthropy, alumni relations and a pivotal role in the administration of the UQ in America Foundation.

 

 

Ms Jen Nielsen, Associate Director –Education

Jen joined UQ in June 2011, having previously served as Education Manager at the Embassy of Australia inWashington, DC. Prior to joining the Australian government in 2005, Jen spent two years working for IDP Education in Washington and Sydney.

Jen is responsible for business development in the USA, including developing and managing key partnerships and relationships and increasing the number of research collaborations with strategic partners.

 

The prestigious Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program provides students the opportunity to work in the Congressional Office of a US Representative or US Senator each January and February. Twelve interns from nine Australian universities are accepted into this program each year. UQ boasts an outstanding record of 13 of our students, who have been accepted over the past five years.

The University of Queensland North America Office 805 15th Street NW, Suite 610 Washington, DC 20005 USA Web: www.uq.edu.au

Jen Nielsen Associate Director – Education Tel: +1 202 495 3670 Email: jen.nielsen@uq.edu.au

Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna Director of Advancement Tel: +1 202 495 3671 Email: k.osseiran@uq.edu.au