Jackie Chan opens medical science education centre at ANU

SUNDAY 9 MARCH 2008

International movie star Jackie Chan today opened the Jackie Chan Science Centre, part of the new John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) building at ANU.

In 2006 Mr Chan made a generous donation to JCSMR that funded the eponymous centre, which showcases the past success stories – including two Nobel prizes – and ongoing work of one of Australia’s premier medical research facilities.

“Jackie has a strong commitment to the education of young people and to provide them with opportunities that were not available to him when he was a child,” said JCSMR Director Professor Judith Whitworth.

“It was an easy call for us to use this donation to help establish a dedicated Jackie Chan Science Centre as part of the public area of the new JCSMR Building, which will showcase our history, current science, and provide viewing windows into laboratories.”

Mr Chan’s relationship with ANU extends back to 2002, when he made an initial donation for cancer research in memory of his mother and long-time Canberra resident Ms Lee Lee Chan.

The Jackie Chan Science Centre is designed to inspire the next generation of Australian scientists by giving them an insight into the past success stories and current research at JCSMR.

Initially consisting of a number of descriptive panels and windows into working aboratories, the Jackie Chan Science Centre will continue to develop as a place of discovery for budding researchers.

Part of ANU, JCSMR is Australia’s national medical research institute. It was created in 1948 as a result of the vision of Australian Nobel Laureate Howard Florey and Prime Minister John Curtin.

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