Media Release
October 19 2009
$4.7m for health simulation training facility
UniSA
has been awarded more than $4.7 million in funding from the Federal
Government to build a state of the art health-focused simulation
learning facility at its
City East campus.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced last week that UniSA will
receive the funds in the 2010-11 budget to assist in building a Clinical
Education and Training Centre (CETC).
The CETC will create a simulated learning environment for allied health
students, allowing them to develop critical skills before working with
patients in the field. It will be closely linked to existing on-campus
clinics where actual clients are treated.
The training centre will additionally provide a venue for the continued
professional development of graduates and opportunities for research.
The proposed facility incorporates meeting rooms for simulated patient
interviews and counselling, a simulated home environment, a simulated
ward environment and other interactive laboratories.
Vice Chancellor Prof Peter Høj said allied health professionals
represent a critical national resource and this facility will be of
great benefit to students preparing for a career in health.
“The benefits of this facility are clear when you consider that 11 of
the health profession programs at UniSA are listed on the Migration
Occupations in Demand List while nursing is additionally identified as a
National Priority Area by the Department of Education, Employment and
Workplace Relations,” Prof Høj said.
“Health programs are an important part of UniSA - in any given year
we’ll have around 1500 graduates in nursing, midwifery and allied health
programs such as pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy,
podiatry, medical radiations and human movement).
”This new facility will embody the University’s vision to provide
students with experiential learning opportunities.
“The provision of applied programs of study responsive to the needs of
industry, which increasingly provide real world experiences to prepare
students for employment, is a core goal of UniSA,” he said.
“Simulated learning forms an important aspect of education and training
of nursing and allied health students and professionals. We are
subsequently delighted at having received the funding.”
The grant is part of the Federal Government’s $71.5 million Capital
Development Pool, aimed at improving teaching and research facilities
for students in areas that are identified as being critical to
education. UniSA is one of 21 Australian universities to receive funding
up to $5 million each for infrastructure development.
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- Heather Leggett office (08) 8302 0096 mobile 0434 078 819 email heather.leggett@unisa.edu.au