PROFESSOR GERALDINE MACKENZIE: VICE-CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
Dec 8, 2022 | Annual Leaders Survey 2022
As we continue to grapple with the aftermath of the global pandemic, other challenges have emerged for business, industry and communities across the State. The impact of economic and social pressures have placed even greater emphasis on the imperative for flexibility, resilience and agile decision-making, not only for us as providers of education and training, but across the board for all industries.
The University of Southern Queensland is united in a commitment to supporting our students and research partners, as well as boosting outcomes for regional communities and the State. We remain focussed on reimagining and reinventing as a response to a post-pandemic world, and supporting economic policy that lessens disadvantage, broadens aspiration and participation in higher education and, above all, bolsters resilience in the communities we serve. Technology, the digital economy, social capital, innovative ways of doing business, and jobs of the future are more important than ever in these endeavours.
The importance of skills as central to economic policy has been addressed at State and Federal level, with governments working closely with universities in producing a skilled workforce. To one degree or another, we have all experienced the increasing competition for talent and been reminded of the relentless need for artificial intelligence, automation and technological innovation. Universities are critical components in underpinning the required transformation, perfectly positioned to partner with business and industry in identifying skills gaps, developing the means of addressing them and playing a key role in educating and developing the workforce that Queensland needs to succeed.
A seeming onslaught of natural disasters again in 2022 reminds us of the importance of continuing to address climate change, global warming and water and food security. The availability and affordability of housing and adequate health services remain top priorities in our regions, together with sufficient skilled labour to support our regional economies.
The University of Southern Queensland stands ready to continue our work in our flagship areas of space and defence, agriculture, health and regional development, driving capability and outcomes through investment and innovation that yields solutions to global problems.
It is more important than ever that we work together across all facets of government, business, industry and the community to reimagine a future for our State and, in this way, do what we can to collectively ensure prosperity and success.