Charles Darwin University today welcomed the awarding of $3.5 million dollars from the Commonwealth Government’s Capital Development Fund towards construction of a new allied health complex.
Funding will be $1.3 million in 2008 and $2.2 million in 2009.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Garnett said the funding would go towards the development of a health related education, training and research hub in Casuarina in line with the planned growth of the University as documented in its recently released ‘Futures Framework’.
‘The goal is to enhance the capacity of the University to train more students in a range of allied health programs and thereby better meet the regional, rural and Indigenous health related needs in the Northern Territory,’ she said. ‘This funding will assist us in meeting that goal.’
It is planned that the hub will house a combination of instructional, pre-service, research and computer simulation facilities. The complex will also facilitate collaboration across several disciplines in vocational and higher education courses.
‘The diverse health and well-being needs of the NT’s small population requires a commitment by CDU to efficiently address challenges through this multi-purpose facility,’ she said. ‘We welcome collaboration with community healthcare providers and government agencies.’
The Capital Development Fund aims to support capital developments within the education sector within disciplines that are considered of national importance by the Federal Government.
As the principle provider of heath-related training in the Northern Territory, health and well-being in the region continues to grow as a focus and investment for the University.
The introduction of a full pharmacy degree, Masters of Nursing, as well as increases in undergraduate nursing students and graduate specialisations in maternal and child health with an Indigenous focus are four examples of recent growth.