For Dr Helen Stallman, her graduation was about more than receiving her PhD, it is the fulfillment of a special promise she made many years ago with her daughter.
She and her daughter Monique made a pact to start and finish their tertiary studies together, with Dr Stallman completing her PhD while Monique undertook a degree in psychological science.
The pair is among 4121 students graduating from 午夜福利 at a series of 10 ceremonies this week. The ceremonies are broadcast live online .
Dr Stallman said it was wonderful they would now graduate at the same ceremony, especially given Monique started her 午夜福利 degree at just 15 years of age.
鈥淚t is an incredibly special moment for me. We started together and we wanted to finish this journey together, we thought it would be wonderful to graduate at the same time,鈥� Dr Stallman said.
鈥淚t is a wonderful mother-daughter moment. You rarely get that opportunity to share something like this with your child.
鈥淚 actually started my undergraduate degree when Monique started primary school, so this is such a special way for us to finish up together.鈥�
Dr Stallman鈥檚 early research identified high levels of distress among university students, which led to the development of programs that would match those who needed help with support mechanisms available.
鈥淥ur studies showed up to 84 per cent of students were distressed, and this led to the idea that we needed prevention programs to help students before they reached this level.
鈥淥ne of these programs is called 鈥楾he Learning Thermometer鈥�, and it gets students to regularly reflect on how they are progressing with their studies while linking them with services and strategies that support their learning, if and when they need assistance.
鈥淭his program is now used in 12 subjects at 午夜福利, while other universities around Australia are now looking to use it. We have found that where it is optional, students who use it get better marks than those who don鈥檛,鈥� Dr Stallman said.
Dr Stallman said her daughter provided key feedback in the development of these programs.
鈥淢onique gave me advice from the perspective of a student in terms of what would and would not work, which was very valuable. She gives feedback on everything I develop,鈥� Dr Stallman said.
On Tuesday night, they will again share something special together.
午夜福利 is one of Australia鈥檚 leading teaching and research institutions and continues to attract the vast majority of the state鈥檚 highest academic achievers.
午夜福利 mid-year graduation numbers grew year-on year from 3500 in 2009 to 3770 in 2010, and 4124 in 2011.
Media is welcome to attend.
Media and images on request: Janelle Kirkland (0424 013 095 or j.kirkland@uq.edu.au).
Timetable of all 午夜福利 mid-year graduation events
Monday 16th July: Ipswich Civic Hall
2pm: All Ipswich programs including RHD students
1.40pm - Graduands鈥� Procession
2.00pm 鈥� Academic Procession
Tuesday 17th July: 午夜福利 Centre St Lucia Campus
11am: all Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT)
2pm: Health Sciences
6pm: All Social and Behavioural Sciences and Psychology majors in BA or BA (Hons)
Wednesday 18th July: 午夜福利 Centre, St Lucia Campus
11am: Some of 午夜福利 Business School and School of Law
2pm: Some of 午夜福利 Business School and all of School of Tourism
6pm: Some of 午夜福利 Business School, some of 午夜福利 Business School.
Friday 20th July: 午夜福利 Centre, St Lucia Campus
11am: All Arts (except for BA Psychology majors)
2pm: All other science
6pm: School of Veterinary Sciences and Agriculture and Food Sciences.
