Canberra, Tuesday, April 10, 2001

ANU welcomes medical school

National training program for rural doctors to be key role

A new medical school at the Australian National University has been welcomed by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Chubb.

The school will have a special focus on training for rural medical practice. The Federal Government has already committed 25 bonded scholarships for this proposal.

Professor Chubb said the new school would generate major health benefits and enhanced rural health services in Australia, Canberra and South East NSW.

He said that there would now be discussions with the Federal, ACT and NSW Governments to finalise funding issues and establish mechanisms for collaboration with health services and hospitals in the region.

ANU would move quickly to appoint a foundation or planning Dean so that detailed curriculum planning could begin.

The Dean would also identify where and how collaborative arrangements with the University of Canberra could be developed. Professor Chubb said he was committed to developing such arrangements.

"The school will be an important teaching and research centre that will build on the work of the existing University of Sydney Canberra Clinical School and medical research already in place in Canberra," Professor Chubb said.

He said the Australian National University's collaborative approach to the new school would utilise the academic resources of other institutions in the Canberra and Southern NSW region.

Professor Chubb said he anticipated that accreditation of ANU's new medical school would occur in about 12 months and that it could enrol its first students in 2004.

For further information contact:

Jim Mahoney, Director, Marketing & Communications Division, 02 6125 2252 (w)
or 0416 249 231 (m)

32/2001

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
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Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002