The University has unveiled state of the art medical education facilities at its Rural Clinical Schools at the Albury Wodonga and Port Macquarie Campuses, confirming the critical role UNSW Medicine plays in providing medical training in rural and regional areas.
UNSW Medicine this month unveiled state of the art medical education facilities at the Rural Clinical Schools at the Albury Wodonga and Port Macquarie Campuses, confirming the critical role UNSW Medicine plays in providing medical training in rural and regional medicine.
The official openings celebrated a 110-seat, AV-connected and interactive lecture theatre, a Simulated Learning Environment and a larger student recreation and passive learning space at the Port Macquarie Campus and a new extension to the Albury Wodonga campus that boasts improvements to the student and teaching environments.
Dr Lesley Forster, Associate Dean Rural Health and Head of the Rural Clinical School said the official openings marked a significant milestone for the School. She said since the campuses had opened, the School’s capability had grown significantly.
“The new buildings unveiled adds to our state-of-the-art medical education and training facility which originally opened here, with lecture rooms, video conferencing technology, skills laboratories and computer and tutorial rooms, all providing first-class medical education facilities for our students,” she said.
“The addition of the $1 million Simulated Learning Environment provides a ‘real-life’ learning environment for students, as well as employment opportunities for three new staff members to coordinate the activities of the lab, including a manager and two registered nurses,” she said.
Dr Forster also thanked the Federal Government for funding the project.
“We are delighted the Federal Government has provided support through Health Workforce Australia. This is clear recognition of the value of rural and regional medical training and the benefits this brings to local communities in New South Wales,” she said.
“UNSW Medicine is determined to take a leadership position and to work with both State and Federal Government and achieve investments like this to make a tangible difference to rural communities.”
As a medical school ranked in the world’s top 50, UNSW Medicine has invested in a high-quality rural clinical school where medical students can undertake a significant part of their training at regional campuses. In the near future, with appropriate funding, they will be able to complete all six years of their medical training in one location.
The UNSW Medicine Rural Clinical School is committed to providing a world-class medical education for rural Australia and has established campuses in Albury-Wodonga, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, Port Macquarie Sydney and Wagga Wagga. Purpose-built modern facilities now exist in Albury, Coffs Harbour, and Port Macquarie whilst in Wagga Wagga and Griffith extensively refurbished buildings house the respective campuses.
Media contact: Susi Hamilton, UNSW Media Office, 9385 8920 / 0422 934 024