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Monash medical researchers investigating inflammatory diseases that can affect the kidneys or cause severe arthritis have secured funding of more than $1 million a year for five years.
The Centre for Inflammatory Diseases in the Faculty of Medicine has attracted the funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Led by Professor Steve Holdsworth, the head of the Department of Medicine at the Monash Medical Centre, the team includes nephrologists Associate Professor Peter Tipping and Dr Richard Kitching, and rheumatologist Dr Eric Morand.
Nephritis, or inflammation of the small filters of the kidney, is a major killer in Australian society, while rheumatoid arthritis affects 250,000 Australians with a loss of quality and length of life.
Their research focuses on locating and finding ways to inhibit the process of inflammation in certain organs that can lead to more serious illness.
NHMRC's largest single allocation, $1.695 million a year for five years, was awarded to Professor David de Kretser and his team at the Monash Institute for Reproduction and Development for several ongoing research projects in reproductive medicine.
Associate Professor Paul Hertzog at the Centre for Functional Genomics and Human Disease has been given $834,000 to continue his research into the genetic makeup of Down Syndrome.
In addition, a total of 37 Monash University research projects will receive a share in almost $4 million from the NHMRC.
Deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Development) Professor Peter Darvall said Monash's success in the NHMRC grants showed the university was "standing tall in the Group of Eight universities in medical research funding".
He said Monash had scored well in Victorian Government Science, Technology and Innovation funding this year, and while ARC grants had been solid, he hoped Monash could further increase its share next year.
Although final figures were not yet available, he believed research funding overall had significantly increased from last year.
"The special research centre for Green Chemistry has also started well, and we expect dramatic achievements over the next several years in this area," Professor Darvall said.
"I am also constantly amazed at the steady flow of valuable industrial and contract research which comes to the university in diverse areas."
The commercialisation of research had also increased dramatically, with Monash forming several lucrative partnerships.
"Among the most exciting are the links with drug development company Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd and new company ES Cell International Pty Ltd, which is involved in embryonic stem cell research," he said.
"University scholars continue to publish at a very impressive rate in all manner of outlets, from prestigious refereed journals to important international conferences."
Dr Richard Kitching, Associate Professor Peter Tipping and Dr Eric Morand.
Contributing to China's economic growthMonash University has won a prestigious Asian Development Bank contract to assist the government of the People's Republic of China with its economic development. The A$2.7 million (US$1.5 million) contract involves advising the Chinese government on options and ways to enhance the economic development of Great Western China as part of its 10th Five Year Plan. The contract, to be managed by Monash International Pty Ltd, is the first ADB project that Monash will lead in its own right and won against significant competition from five major American and European competitors. Vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson said this was a prestigious and high-profile contract, not only for the university, but also for Victoria and Australia. "The contract represents a major milestone and opens the door for Australia to other major projects in the export of services," he said. Monash International director Mr Tony Pollock said the Chinese government had given priority to the economic development of the western regions to ensure the country's growth continued. The Monash University bid incorporates the project management expertise of Ms Julie Robertson and Mr Paul Verwoert from Monash International. Combined with the research experience of Associate Professor Marika Vicziany,
Dr The final report will include strategies for dealing with poverty, environmental degradation, energy and infrastructure development. It will be reviewed by an international conference to be held in Ghengdu (Sichuan Province, China) in August 2001. |
More
than $2.9 million (RM6 million) has been invested in the Monash Malaysia campus
this year to enhance the facilities and environment.
Pro vice-chancellor Professor Bob Bignall said the campus, which now has more than 1000 students, is expanding to support a range of academic programs including three streams of engineering.
Large engineering laboratories with a floor area of 2000 square metres have the latest equipment installed. There are powerful industrial robots, worth more than $240,000 (RM500,000) to support teaching in mechatronics.
Other developments include an extension to the Tun Hussein Onn Library, with a new entrance and circulation desk located on the third level of the Monash building. A library annex houses a reading area and a serials room.
Administrative staff and academics in the School of Business and Information Technology are now co-located in a school precinct on the third level. This includes new offices, two professional suites and a course counselling area.
In 2001 it is planned to develop a similar precinct on level 2 for the School of Engineering and Science.
On the ground floor, a new student lounge and recreation area contains offices for the local Monash University Students Association (MUSA), a clubs and societies room, a large meeting room, a shop for the Monash Business Club, a lounge and games area and a general purpose recreation and entertainment room. The facility will be managed by MUSA.
The campus administration area and main entrance have also been extensively refurbished, and, in the final stage of this refurbishment, all campus signage is being improved and updated.
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| The Cathedral of St Stephano in Prato. |
The chandelier was illuminated and the grand salone of the Palazzo Vaj decorated with plants and flowers for the staging of Monash University's inaugural event in Prato.
Opened by the Australian Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Mr Rory Steele, the conference on international financial markets was organised by Dr Barry Goss from Business and Economics and received wide coverage in the local media, including television.
The centre's director, Professor Bill Kent, said that since establishing himself in Prato in mid-November, he had been deeply impressed by the warmth of the welcome shown to Monash.
"There has been intense interest in our project by both the Pratese and regional authorities and by the local people," he said.
"It's clear to me that there are even more opportunities for collaboration than we had expected."
The official opening of the centre will be in the late European spring, but already Monash in Prato is under way.
In early December, the first group of undergraduate students from the School of Historical Studies on the Clayton campus will spend a week in Prato completing an eight-credit-point subject, 'The Renaissance in Florence'.
From March, there are a number of activities planned, including a conference on multiculturalism organised by Professor Andrew Markus and jointly sponsored by the Regional Government of Tuscany and Monash University.
An art exhibition drawn from the Monash Collection will be on display at this time.
Individuals, departments and centres interested in holding events or running courses at the Prato centre should make initial contact with the executive officer, Europe, Mr Matt Anderson on extn 59204 or by emailing matthew.anderson@adm.monash.edu.au
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Dear colleagues 2000 has been hectic for us all. I'd like to thank all colleagues for outstanding work during the year, so many examples of which have been reported in the pages of Monash Memo. Do have a safe and relaxing break. With all good wishes,
Professor David Robinson |
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