Monash Memo - 9 May 2001

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Prato centre reaches out to the world

The newly furbished Monash centre in Prato is in an ideal position to attract international visitors and seminars, according to director Professor Bill Kent.

He said the centre recently hosted two collaborative events, helping to build its reputation as an international centre.

"Monash staff can conveniently work with European and North American colleagues in a stimulating space away from everyday commitments, and that inspires creative thinking," Professor Kent said.

He said Prato could become a focus point for intensive research seminars, such as the recent seminar 'A Social History of Neighbourhood in the Western City', funded by the Australian Research Council and attended by Monash staff and leading international scholars.

Associate Professor David Garrioch, from the School of Historical Studies, said a major collaborative book on this important theme in urban studies would emerge from the three-day seminar. Associate Professor Garrioch helped history lecturer Dr Mark Peel organise the event.

In a separate visit to the centre, 20 art and design students from Melbourne's Methodist Ladies College worked for five days with French master printer Patrick Aubert.

MLC's head of art, Mr Mark Savage, said he was keen to see this kind of collaboration with Monash continue. According to Professor Kent, other secondary schools are expressing interest in similar arrangements.

The Palazzo Vaj, home to the Prato centre, has now been completely refurbished, with future plans for furnishing the centre and installing IT equipment including cabling, internet access and audio-visual equipment.

Anyone wishing to run events or activities at the Prato centre should contact helen.fletcher-kennedy@adm.monash.edu.au