1. USC Engineering Learning Hub Education Investment Fund
(Regional Priorities Round) Professor Mike Hefferan Pro
Vice-Chancellor Engagement 14 November 2013
2. USC Engineering Learning Hub Education Investment Fund
(Regional Priorities Round) Brief description Structure Project /
management Key strategies/ alignment Early development /concepts
Current status Opportunities/ Issues
3. Engineering Learning Hub A state-of-the-art engineering
facility, centred around a visualisation theatre, and associated
teaching and research infrastructure at Sippy Downs. $37.2m program
of work of which $30m EIF RPR funding
4. Why engineering at USC? 1. Wider Sunshine Coast economy
dependent on engineering. rise of professional services 2.
Significant engineering skills shortages across Australia,
Queensland and Sunshine Coast 3. Likely to be exacerbated mining,
retirement of existing engineers and expanding engineering areas 4.
Relied on migration to supplement supply, need for Australia to
re-invest in education and training.
5. Key strategies as outlined within USC-DIISRTE EIF RPR
Funding Agreement 2013 1. Constructing and fitting out new
infrastructure 2. Advancing blended learning at USC (high end
simulation and visualisation based learning, and innovative
learning/social spaces) 3. Enhancing student pathways from schools
and TAFE to USC 4. Contributing to improved community awareness and
understanding of STEM
6. Some context / history A recognition of importance of
professional degrees e.g. engineering High development region
Establishment/relocation of a number of engineering firms in region
Recognition of regional development strategy of professional
services Desirable base for consultant engineers into local,
national, international markets
7. Some context / history A recognition of importance of
professional degrees e.g. engineering High development region
Establishment/relocation of a number of engineering firms in region
Recognition of regional development strategy of professional
services Desirable base for consultant engineers into local,
national, international markets Establishment of engineering degree
very well supported by local engineering firms /through
scholarships, placements followed by employment Strong, externally
focussed academic leadership Good existing links with high schools
and TAFE Support by USQ Detailed research project for Sunshine
Coast and Wide Bay region on Engineering skills and future demand
(2009)
8. Program Management Approach Governance and management
framework (two levels: governance, and management and operations)
Four interrelated projects within whole of work Engineering
Learning Hub Program (four projects reflect four key strategies)
First USC project to adopt program management approach from the
outset Integration of project outcomes into normal USC
operations
9. Program governance Program Leader (DVC) Program Governance
Group Program management and operations Vertical and horizontal
integration of projects is critical Program Manager Project Leaders
and Project Managers Group For each of the four projects: Project
Leader (e.g. PVC-CS for Infrastructure Project) Project Manager
Project Team
10. Program Status Infrastructure Project Completed design
Stage 1 Early works package: remote Engineering Structures Learning
Lab, contractor appointed 31 October with 20 week construction
program Stage 2 Major works package: Engineering Learning Hub,
tender process (4 November) with contractor to be appointed by 20
December Occupation of building: 30 April 2015
11. Program Status Visualisation and Blended Learning Project
Visualisation development and procurement process Includes
curriculum mapping: review of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
courses, a week by week analysis to discover software domains e.g.
disaster management modelling Collaboration with external partners
USQ (visualisation facility at Toowoomba) and UNSW School of Mining
Engineering curriculum development and professional development
Industry partners e.g. Weir Minerals Multiflow opportunities for
collaboration
12. Program Status Program Articulation and Student Pathways
Project Delivery of Integrated Learning Engineering Program (in
conjunction with Construction Skills Qld) since 2009 Engagement
with secondary schools, WBIT, SCIT and SBIT Community Engagement
STEM Project Expand USC engagement and build on outreach activities
with school communities, relevant industries/professions and
community organisations
13. Issues Cuttting through the spectacular (not being
captivated by the technology but focus on the real offer) Critical
need for demand analysis (working backwards reverse engineered) On
going sustainability of engineering base and emerging
opportunities
14. Opportunities To be immersed in something which is highly
experiential (nothing like being there) Provides a platform
(initially for engineering) for others over time i.e. remote
sensing, GIS, flood and recovery, adaptation from military to
civilian use, disaster management anything needing physical
simulation
15. In summary On the face of it, this is about: A physical
asset and state-of-the-art equipment is at the core of such a
project It will provide the focus of new high profile approaches to
teaching and learning and research Provides a visual/experiential
approach in this case, based on engineering Less obvious, but
equally important: Ensuring that the facilities fit for purpose and
merges/integrates with likely future offers not just for USC but
its wider stakeholders/partners Success in such an innovative
project is based on its upfront planning and stakeholder
management.