Brisbane School of the Arts - 1849
The Brisbane School of the Arts (BSA), in its first decades from 1849, served primarily as a place of genteel recreation, with a library, public debates and lectures.
During the 1870s, the BSA developed a stronger educational focus by holding classes in algebra, trigonometry, Latin, chemistry and writing. In 1881, the BSA entered the field of technical education, offering two drawing classes, and these heralded the establishment of the Brisbane Technical College.
Brisbane Technical College - 1882
The Brisbane Technical College (BTC) had its beginnings in 1882, when the Brisbane School of Arts obtained Queensland Government funding to establish a school for technical instruction. Initially, only 80 students attended the college, but by 1889, the enrolment was 320 and in 1890, classes in art, technical drawing, science and commercial studies were offered. By 1893, the college had added typing classes to its commercial offerings, recognising the emergence of a new occupation for women.
After the economic depression of the early 1890s, enrolments rose to exceed 1000 students in 1897. In terms of student numbers and range of subjects, the college was the largest institution in Queensland in the 19th century.
In 1908, the Queensland Parliament passed the Technical Instruction Act, which subsumed the BTC into the Central Technical College.
Central Technical College - 1908
The Central Technical College (CTC) was established from 1909. The creation of the CTC marked a major stage in the shift from the private provision of technical education in Queensland to a State-based system. From around 1914-1915, CTC occupied 6 buildings on the Old Government House Domain (now the location of Gardens Point campus).
In its early years, CTC offered courses in art, building, commercial studies, domestic studies, engineering, languages and literature, mathematics, wool classing and mining and metallurgy. It became a key institution for apprenticeship training, and for candidates preparing for examinations held by the Institute of Accounting.
The 1920s saw the expansion of vocational training for both women and men. The CTC provided classes for all nurses undergoing training at metropolitan hospitals. Other health professionals such as dentists and pharmacists were also trained there for a time under a form of apprenticeship, prior to the introduction of university courses.
After World War II, the College expanded to a site in South Brisbane, where motor mechanics and panel beating classes were conducted. By the early 1960's, CTC had more than 13,000 students and had expanded its offerings to areas ranging from industrial electronics through pastry cooking to cabinet making. Entry standards were also raised, with some diplomas requiring the completion of a Senior Certificate.
In 1965, the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT), was established on the site of Central Technical College. CTC's courses were divided between the new Institute and the series of suburban technical colleges established in Brisbane. QIT accepted the professional and technician courses previously offered by the CTC.
Queensland Institute of Technology - 1965
The Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) was established in 1965, at the Gardens Point site adjacent to the central business district of Brisbane. The site, bounded by the Botanical Gardens, the Brisbane River and the grounds of Parliament House, has been connected with post-school education since the early 1900s.
QIT assumed responsibility for all existing professional (diploma) and sub-professional (certificate) courses being offered at the Central Technical College (CTC) at that time. A number of staff originally employed by CTC became foundation staff members of QIT. In 1965, QIT had only 4634 students, with part-time students outnumbering full-time students by a ratio of 10 to 1. From 1966, QIT consisted of six departments, Chemistry, Engineering, General Studies, Business Studies, Architecture and Building.
The first degree courses were accredited within QIT from 1973, in architecture, computing science, science (physics) and medical laboratory technology. QIT steadily broadened its courses over ensuing years, with the addition of visual arts (taken over from the CTC), the establishment of a Law School in 1975, the development of communications studies and the incorporation of nursing basic education and postgraduate training from the College of Nursing in 1978.
By 1981 there were 7665 enrolled. The percentage of those studying full time had risen and the number of female students had more than trebled. Demand for courses at QIT continued to grow during the 1980s.
In 1988, approval of University status for QIT was given. Queensland University of Technology came into being from January 1989.
Queensland University of Technology - 1989
The Queensland University of Technology Act was passed in 1988, following approval of University status for the Queensland Institute of Technology. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) began operating from January 1989.
The Commonwealth Government's move in the late 1980s to a Unified National System (UNS) of universities resulted in the merger of 3 campuses of Brisbane College of Advanced Education with QUT from 1990. The academic structure now comprises eight faculties (Arts, Business, Health, Law, Built Environment and Engineering, Education, Information Technology and Science) and thirty-eight schools.
QUT is one of Australia's largest universities with a student population of over 29,500 students and approximately 3000 full time staff.
Brisbane Kindergarten Training College - 1911
The Brisbane Kindergarten Training College was established in 1911 by the Creche and Kindergarten Association. Its objective was to provide afternoon classes for its pupil teachers, who had commenced their practical training at the Association's frist creche and kindergarten in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. It had an initial enrolment of five students.
The move to 'Wauna', a large Queensland style home in Victoria park Road at Kelvin Grove in 1920 marked a new period of consolidation for BKTC. The College remained on this site until it was amalgamated with other colleges to form the Brisbane College of Advanced Education in 1982. The house served as the College residence and lecture rooms until it was demolished in 1963 to make way for a new building.
By 1929, the College offered two separate courses; a two-year diploma in kindergarten sub-primary and a one-year kindergarten nurse course. Certificates were also offered in nursery governess work. By the end of the 1930's, student numbers increased to around 25.
The College introduced a three-year course in 1946, and the percentage of students gaining their matriculation prior to college training steadily increased.
The College changed its name in 1965 to the Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers' College.
Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers' College - 1965
The Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers' College began in 1965, having changed its name from the Brisbane Kindergarten Training College. The College Council reported to the governing body of the Creche and Kindergarten Association.
The early years of the 1970s were a promising period in the history of the College. In 1972, a demonstration kindergarten, equipped with the latest closed circuit television links and sound proofed, air conditioned observation booths, was built at the College improving the College's teaching program and providing useful facilities for research.
By 1973, the College population reached the record figure of 392 students, with 200 students entering the first year of the diploma course. The upsurge in interest in early childhood education led to BKTC being the first preschool college in Australia to accept male students. In1973, one male student was accepted and in 1974, four male students entered first-year studies in the diploma course.
The College became autonomous in 1974, when governance was transferred from the Creche and Kindergarten Association.
In 1981, systematic amalgamation of colleges of advanced education occurred in Australia. The State Government decided to amalgamate the four Brisbane metropolitan colleges concerned with teacher education - Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education, North Brisbane College of Advanced Education, Mount Gravatt College of Advanced Education and Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers' College. The emergent Brisbane College of Advanced Education came into being on 1 January 1982.
Queensland Teachers' Training College - 1914
In 1914, the Queensland Teachers' Training College (QTTC) began operations with 25 enrolments. QTTC was originally located in the grounds of the Central Technical College, next door to the University of Queensland, which then occupied Old Government House at the eastern end of George Street, Brisbane (the location of Gardens Point campus today). By 1920, QTTC was based at other premises in the Brisbane CBD.
The QTTC moved to Kelvin Grove in February 1942, with a student population of 676, mostly enrolled in the primary teaching course. The student population included 72 mature students recruited from adult life to meet the shortages of teachers during the war.
In 1944, the College suffered the first of several name changes and became the Senior Teachers' Training College. It was again renamed in 1950 as the Queensland Teachers' College. In 1961, it became the Kelvin Grove Teachers' College.
Kelvin Grove Teachers' College - 1976
Kelvin Grove Teachers' College (KGTC) was established in 1961, but it had its origins in the Queensland Teachers' Training College. Initially, students largely undertook courses in primary teaching, but during the late 1960s and early 1970s, secondary teacher education became an increasing focus.
Commonwealth government initiatives in tertiary education led to the establishment of a College Council in 1972 and saw KGTC become the Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education from 1976.
Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education - 1976
Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education (KGCAE), the successor to the Kelvin Grove Teachers' College (KGTC), was established from 1976. Initially, KGTC had resisted a change of name, since it perceived its core business to be teacher education; however, by 1975-76 it was ready to adopt a multivocational approach and the institution assumed its new name.
By 1980, KGCAE had successfully diversified its courses and established associate diploma courses in performing arts (dance), performing arts (theatre), residential care and visual arts, an undergraduate degree course in applied science (home economics) and an in-service graduate diploma in counselling, in addition to its teacher education courses.
A significant addition to the College's visual arts program was the association of the Australian Flying Arts School with KGCAE in 1978. The School held seminars in ceramics and painting in remote areas throughout Queensland, using light aircraft and buses to transport artists, tutors and materials between towns.
KGCAE amalgamated with the Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers' College, Mount Gravatt College of Advanced Education and North Brisbane College of Advanced Education to form the Brisbane College of Advanced Education in January 1982.
Brisbane College of Advanced Education - 1982
In 1981, the Commonwealth Government decided to amalgamate four Brisbane Colleges of Advanced Education (Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers' College, Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education, Mount Gravatt College of Advanced Education and North Brisbane College of Advanced Education) to form the new Brisbane College of Advanced Education (BCAE). The amalgamation, a prerequisite to the continuation of Commonwealth government funding, occurred from 1 January 1982.
The BCAE's central administration operated from the Kelvin Grove campus. It was decided to base the academic organisation around the four campuses, and over time rationalisation was necessary. By 1986, however, in addition to the initial offerings in teacher education, business, creative and performing arts, early childhood studies, there were schools of health and welfare studies, and physical education and leisure studies established. Masters degrees in education were first offered in 1990.
Student enrolments at BCAE grew rapidly during the 1980s, from 7379 in 1982 to 10,155 in 1989.
Commonwealth Government moves in the late 1980s towards a unified national system of universities meant that BCAE was forced to amalgamate with another Brisbane university. Following negotiations, BCAE Council resolved in 1989 to amalgate with QUT (except for its Mount Gravatt campus which would merge with Griffith University). The amalgamation with QUT was effective from 1 May 1990.
Kedron Park Teachers' College - 1961
Kedron Park Teachers' College (KPTC) opened in 1961 with 192 students on a site that had previously been Kedron Park Racecourse. It began with a two year primary teaching program, but soon offered three year teacher training.
In July 1972, state government initiatives led to the formation of a college Council. The College was unwilling to forego its teachers' college title (as were the other four Brisbane teachers' colleges at the time) until 1974, when it became known as North Brisbane College of Advanced Education.
North Brisbane College of Advanced Education - 1974
Established in 1974, North Brisbane College of Advanced Education (NBCAE) had its origins in the Kedron Park Teachers' College. NBCAE was to serve the northern suburbs of Brisbane, and as it diversified into a multivocational institution, the site at Beams Road, Carseldine (the Carseldine campus of QUT today) became available.
NBCAE soon moved into courses other than teacher education, offering business studies, community studies and liberal studies courses.
NBCAE amalgamated with the Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers' College, Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education and Mount Gravatt College of Advanced Education in January 1982 to form the Brisbane College of Advanced Education.
Queensland University of Technology - 1990
The Queensland University of Technology Act was passed in 1988, following approval of University status for the Queensland Institute of Technology. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) began operating from January 1989.
The Commonwealth Government's move in the late 1980s to a Unified National System (UNS) of universities resulted in the merger of 3 campuses of Brisbane College of Advanced Education with QUT from 1990. The academic structure now comprises eight faculties (Arts, Business, Health, Law, Built Environment and Engineering, Education, Information Technology and Science) and thirty-eight schools.
QUT is one of Australia's largest universities with a student population of over 29,500 students and approximately 3000 full time staff.
Sourced from:
Kyle, N. et al, A Class of Its Own: A History of Queensland University of Technology, Hale & Iremonger Pty Ltd, NSW, 1999.