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The
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The Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development last week announced two major breakthroughs in medical research at the same time as its new headquarters housing the very latest in technology was officially opened by the Honorable Dr Michael Wooldridge, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care.
The institute, part of the university's Faculty of Medicine, was previously housed at the Monash Medical Centre and at various locations around the area.
Institute director Professor David de Kretser said the opening of the building containing the latest in medical research technology meant that collaboration between the various research groups would be made much easier and would enable the breadth and depth of expertise at the institute to be maximised.
Meanwhile, a team of scientists under the leadership of Professor Alan Trounson and Professor de Kretser announced that it had discovered a genetic cause of male infertility.
According to Professor Trounson, the discovery is a major advance in understanding the causes of male infertility and opens the possibility of exploring new methods of treatment.
The significance of these findings has been recognised by the prestigious international medical journal The Lancet, which published the study last week.
Another team of scientists, led by Associate Professor Gail Risbridger, announced preliminary research findings that show a new drug similar to the female hormone estrogen could bring relief to a large proportion of the male population with prostate disease.
"Early indications are that the new drug could form an entirely new therapeutic strategy for the increasingly common problem of prostate disease," Professor Risbridger said.
Preparations are under way to begin a clinical trial of the drug early in 2000.
Professor de Krester said the new findings would further add to the international recognition that researchers at the institute already receive.
Orientation at Monash MalaysiaAt the Malaysian campus last month, a week-long orientation program to welcome the third intake of students got off to a great start, with 400 students and staff attending the first Orientation Nite.
The Orientation Week activities, the first of their kind to be held at the campus since students commenced in July 1998, were organised by the student association, Pro-Tem Council, which was established three months ago.
Speaking at the Orientation Nite, Monash Malaysia campus pro vice-chancellor Professor James Warren said Monash University's international standing was built on the contributions and reputation of its previous students. "No university is any better than its students, and here at Monash Malaysia we have a bright future because we already have that most important university ingredient - bright, enthusiastic and imaginative students," he said. The Orientation Nite program included dances, sketches, and bands, as well as solo and duo performances by students and staff. The Pro-Tem Council also organised a range of other activities throughout the week to help ease the students' transition from college to university life. - Seng Lee Moi |
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Monash
Unicomm board director Mr Paul
Ramler (left) presents a cheque for $206,506 to Monash Student Association president Mr Andrew Saunders. |
At the August meeting of the directors of Monash Unicomm Pty Ltd, the chair of the board, Mr Paul Ramler, presented a cheque for $206,506 to Monash Student Association president Mr Andrew Saunders.
Handing over the cheque, Mr Ramler said Unicomm continued to make a significant contribution to the "quality and enjoyment of the total university experience" for both students and staff.
He said that as well as providing an extensive range of services - from student employment, careers counselling, education services to retail and catering - Unicomm had distributed more than $600,000 to MSA over the past three years.
Thanking Unicomm, Mr Saunders said student organisations were a vital part of a student's university experience and the contribution would enable the MSA to continue to provide a broad range of quality services and representation.
School holiday careExcellent on-campus facilities, activities including swimming, roller blading, cooking, 'Olympic' games, art and craft, pottery and science are all on offer as part of the school holiday care program at the Clayton campus. The program is available for children aged 5 to 12 years from 20 September to 1 October. The cost per day is $25, which reduces for parents who qualify for Childcare Assistance. For further information, contact the Family Advisory Service on extn 53156. |
Japanese visitors experience PeninsulaFour groups from different Japanese educational institutions visited the Peninsula campus last week. Two groups arrived from the Japanese Red Cross Musashino Junior College of Nursing to undertake English Language Centre programs. Twenty students from Chiba University and nine from Fukuoka International University also arrived at the campus to participate in the centre's academic and social program. Meanwhile, early childhood staff in the Faculty of Education hosted 21 students and two staff from the Kunei Junior College for a seminar titled 'Early childhood education - an Australian perspective'. With the assistance of an interpreter, the students listened to a number of seminar papers, and then joined in some art/craft activities with an Australian flavour. The students also visited several early childhood settings during their stay. The Japanese visitors commented on the attractiveness of the Peninsula campus, and, in particular, the range and abundance of Australian native plants. |
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A first for BerwickStudents and staff at the Berwick campus last week had their first taste of the lunchtime concert series that the other campuses have enjoyed for many years. The concert was held in the student lounge of the newly opened stage two building, which also houses multimedia facilities, a science laboratory, lecture theatres, electronic commerce laboratories and staff offices. Further concerts are scheduled at the campus. Staff and students enjoy the first lunchtime concert at the Berwick campus performed by re-sound, a contemporary music group. |
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The Australian Museum, which administers the Eureka Prizes, Australia's pre-eminent national science awards, is calling for entries for prizes to be awarded in 2000.
The prizes acknowledge and reward outstanding achievements in Australian scientific and environmental research, science communication and journalism, and the promotion of science.
In 1999, eleven prizes worth $100,000 were awarded.
Further information about the prizes and entry forms are available on the Australian Museum's web page at www.austmus.gov.au/eureka
Meditation for staff and students is held every Monday to Wednesday in the Religious Centre at Clayton campus from 1.15 pm to 1.45 pm.
For further information, contact Ms Janette Simmonds, Community Services, on extn 53156.
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