Monash Memo - articles - 17 October 2001

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Monash University Medical Foundation launched

Medical ethics and health sciences education will be among the key areas to benefit from the recently established Monash University Medical Foundation, launched last week by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Held in the Grand Ballroom of the Rippon Lea Estate on 10 October, the launch was hosted by faculty dean Professor Nick Saunders and attended by key members of industry, research groups and the university, including vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson.

The foundation has been established to attract support from the medical, healthcare and scientific fraternities, business and government sectors and the public to better resource the initiatives of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Saunders told guests the foundation would not be about "plugging holes" in funding but about adding value to the work already being carried out by the faculty, as well as moving forward with innovative teaching and research initiatives.

"While the faculty has 5000 students, we have to remember that only about 800 of those are medical students. Therefore, the foundation will not just support medical research and teaching but work towards the life of the faculty in general," Professor Saunders said.

He said the foundation had been established to support the development of special activities, such as a new Centre for Medical Ethics, and teaching and learning through the faculty's Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education.

Also speaking at the launch, deputy dean of the faculty Professor Leon Piterman said initiatives such as new teaching laboratories and the new medical ethics centre were central to the faculty breaking new ground in the medical field.

"The Centre for Medical Ethics will play a vital role in the university and the community at large engaging in the medical ethics debate in a meaningful fashion," he said.

Adding a thought-provoking note to the night, foundation board member Mr David Buckingham, who is also managing director of Stratpol Consultants and former executive director of the Business Council of Australia, said the foundation was being established at a time when business investment in research and development was going through a phase of uncertainty.

"But business is also looking at ways they can build alliances and at the same time serve a community purpose, and I am optimistic that the foundation will succeed," Mr Buckingham said.

Speakers on the night included, from left, medical student Mr Nathan Grills, faculty dean Professor Nick Saunders, Monash alumna Dr Margaret Howsam, foundation board member Mr David Buckingham, deputy dean of the faculty Professor Leon Piterman and vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson.