Queensland Institute of Technology: an introduction

The Queensland Institute of Technology caters for more than seven thousand five hundred students, enrolled in a wide range of vocational studies. Over one thousand three hundred academic, administrative, technical and ancillary staff are employed (both full-time and part-time) to provide an integrated service for these students and the general community. Although the Institute was granted autonomy in 1971, it is still financially dependent on, and accountable to, the community for the resources that it consumes. The total allocation of resources is determined by educational boards and commissions operating within government guidelines. How these resources are used to support our educational commitments is the responsibility of the Institute Council. The Council is the governing body of the Institute, and it has well defined powers granted by an Act of Parliament. It includes a number of community leaders who are appointed by the Minister for Education, four staff who are elected by staff of the Institute and two students who are elected by the student body. Council's role is to determine policy and keep it under review. Although it may appear quite remote, Council attempts to keep in touch with the mainstream of Institute Iife and it is interested in staff and students, not simply dollars and cents. The Institute's management function is delegated either to me or to certain elements constituted within the academic organisation. This organisation is based on the creation of professional schools and departments, presently in the fields of Applied Science, Built Environment, Business Studies, Engineering, Health Science, Law and Librarianship. These schools have a large measure of autonomy to conduct their academic affairs within policies laid down by Council. The Head of School is responsible to me for the administration of the School. Council has however, created for each School what is known as an Academic Board which consists of ex-officio members, elected staff and students, and in some cases, appointees from outside the Institute. The Head of School acts as Chairman of each of these Boards, which are very influential in determining such things as the design of courses, methods of assessment, review of examination results and the progression of individual students. Although considerable emphasis is placed on teaching excellence, many of the staff are engaged on a variety of research projects a number of which are funded under research grants or commissioned by local industry. Staff are encouraged to be innovative in their approach to teaching and learning and there is a high degree of staff participation in the academic administration of the Institute. The academic structure of the Institute is supported by many diverse groups of technical, administrative and ancillary staff. These staff are engaged in wide ranging duties in all sections of the Institute. The aim of this booklet is to provide some general information on the various sections of the Institute and their operations.

A.M. FRASER Director