Training, training, training

I didn't realise there was going to be so much training up front. There's only two months to complete the Stage 2 proposal, and a big chunk of it is going to be in courses! I've got:

• Advanced Information Retrieval Skills at QUT (run through the Library) that takes four half day sessions,
• eDRMS ('Objective') training in the workplace so I can access documents in the corporate data store (such as standards, presentations and so forth),
• Electrical Safety Rules, since the test lab has 125Vdc to power protection relays
• More CPR testing (to get 'on the books')
• Switchboard Rescue, because the Test & Development Centre is has high DC voltages present.

I hope to be able to find some time to read papers and start my literature review in earnest. Some big weeks might be in order at the end of April.

The First Week

Well the first week has been and gone. Most of it was devoted to safety induction, which was duplicated because I had to do the QUT induction and then the industrial induction at the company sponsoring the project.

The inductions at QUT are all online, and very professionally prepared too. I'm not sure if I needed to do the university ones as well as the faculty (BEE) one, but I did to be on the safe side. The building evacuation instructional video is the first I've seen that describes how the orange and red flashing lights work for hearing impaired people or noisy workplaces -- well done!

The workplace induction was a bit of a joke. So many broken links on the 'portal' (the intranet), some of which were to important policies. Some policies had been moved from the portal to their eDRMS (document/record storage system), which can't be accessed until training is provided, which requires the induction to be completed...

I'm not sure where the rest of the week has gone, but at least I have the correct passes and stickers on cards now.

Paperwork has been found

Had a phone call back from Kate at QUT saying that I needed to provide copies of my transcript and passport. Oops -- looks like there is a problem within the RSC. No worries -- paperwork has been found. Kate has enrolled me so I'm officially 'on the books' and can get a student card and so forth.

[One trip to the city later]

Since we were in the city, it made sense to go by QUT and see what the queue was like for ID cards (since Friday is the last day of O-Week before undergrads start). There was no queue! QUT are using fairly old VHS camcorders (with full size tapes) with USB video capture devices to get the images. Lighting was just the fluoros on the ceiling, so left a little to be desired.

I'm officially a student again! I even have a concession Go Card to make travel to Gardens Point campus a bit cheaper.

Follow up on paperwork

Hmm, haven't heard anything back from QUT yet. Sent an email enquiring if any further paperwork is needed.

Paperwork handed in

Certified copies of my University of Canterbury transcript and passport have been handed in to the Research Students Centre at QUT. That should get the ball rolling on enrolment and all the other paperwork underway.