$3.5 million for new medical research building

Wednesday 16 May 2007

The University of Newcastle has secured $3.5 million in Commonwealth Government funding towards a joint clinical science and medical research facility with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).

The building will house more than 300 researchers, clinicians and staff from the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health.

Funding has been approved by the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, with $1.3 million to be available next year and $2.2 million in 2009.

Professor Barney Glover, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, said the Commonwealth's contribution put the building one step closer to fruition.

"The new building will align clinical and medical research and teaching at the University with the efforts of HMRI on site with our major clinical hospital," he said.

"We are still a long way from the money required to get this project off the ground and we will continue our drive to garner stakeholder support for this important initiative."

The new building will be built on the Rankin Park Campus of the Hunter New England Health Service.

For comment: Professor Barney Glover, Acting Vice-Chancellor, through Media and Public Relations on 02 4921 5061.