Just though I'd do an update on some recent news I found for anyone thats interested.
UWS builds a $52 million medical facility to train tomorrow's doctors
Date: 02/02/2006
The University of Western Sydney has unveiled plans for its world-class medical education and research building - set to house Greater Western Sydney's newest trainee doctors from 2007.
The $52 million School of Medicine, to be built at the UWS Campbelltown Campus, will be home to the University's 500 medical students as well as the School's academics, researchers and support staff.
Construction of the first stage of the facility, estimated at $30 million, will begin soon, in anticipation of the first intake of 88 medical students in March next year, subject to the program clearing the final approval hurdle with the Australian Medical Council (AMC).
The Commonwealth Government has contributed $25 million to the School of Medicine capital project.
Dean of the UWS School of Medicine, Professor Neville Yeomans, says the teaching and research facility will be an important boost to the State's and nation's health systems, providing extra doctors for Greater Western Sydney to work in the region's hospitals and community health services.
It is also set to further strengthen the University's Campbelltown Campus as a vital health and science precinct, with the campus home to health, nursing, sport science, biomedical science and nanotechnology research and education.
Valued supporter of the School of Medicine, Federal Member for Macarthur, Pat Farmer, recently took time out to inspect plans for the building, and came away greatly impressed by progress.
"The UWS School of Medicine is the answer to the doctor shortage in Western Sydney, which has one of the nation's fastest growing and most diverse urban populations," he says.
"It will strengthen health care by producing more home-grown doctors who understand the health challenges in our region. It will also greatly enhance the educational opportunities for young people, enabling them to live, study and, most importantly, stay and work here.
"The Australian Government recognises the need to train more doctors and specialists to work in our hospitals and health services. That is why we have contributed $25 million to the capital cost of this project."
The striking four-storey development, which has a total floor area of 9400 square metres, will comprise four buildings each with different purposes: lectures; specialist medical teaching; academic offices and school administration; and research.
These buildings are connected by a central 'hub' - a generous outdoor circular space covered by a stunning transparent roof.
The hub integrates the development, providing the entire campus community with an informal meeting spot and - because it is wireless enabled - an attractive outdoor work environment.
The building has been designed by Melbourne-based architectural firm Lyons, winners of the design competition organised by the University and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
Professor Yeomans says Lyon's futuristic design is befitting a progressive, 21st century medical school, which aims to produce highly-skilled and adaptable medical graduates who can meet our nation's health challenges head on.
"We are devising a curriculum that is set to break new ground in the way medicine is taught - promoting continuum of care, doctor-patient communication, and collaborating with nursing and other allied health areas to address health issues that can only be solved through a team-based approach," says Professor Yeomans.
"It is important that the School's main teaching and research facility reflects this philosophy and encourages on-campus synergies with the health, biological sciences and nursing areas.
"The School of Medicine facility will provide a learning environment that will stimulate, challenge and inspire our trainee doctors, and prepare them very well for their medical careers."
Medical students will have access to the most modern of classroom and laboratory facilities as part of their pre-clinical teaching; with simulated learning spaces, problem-based learning rooms, anatomy laboratories and computer labs, according to Professor Yeomans.
"Research will also be a vital component of the facility, with a three-floor specialist building dedicated to basic and applied medical research, and training those who will be its leaders in the future," he says.
"Visually, it's a very exciting building; filled with lots of light and open spaces. It also has many informal meeting areas to foster student discussions and a community-minded atmosphere, which is sure to be popular with students, staff and visitors alike.
"Its innovative, modular design means it can be expanded as the School's needs change and can accommodate future growth, which provides the University with a great deal of flexibility for many years to come."
To see designs of the UWS School of Medicine building, go to:
http://www.uws.edu.au/students/intheloop/uwsmedschool_bldgdesign
The design looks kinda funky........
