A $20 million venture between 14 partners has received the NHMRC's endorsement for its commitment to delivering top-quality research, education and healthcare to the community.
Gabrielle Dunlevy
UNSW Media Office
02 9385 1933
g.dunlevy@unsw.edu.au
Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) – a $20 million venture between 14 NSW leaders in health, education and medical research – has received accreditation as an Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre (AHRTC), the federal government has announced.
The Commonwealth Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Craig Laundy, announced the National Health and Medical Research Council accreditation on behalf of Commonwealth Health Minister, Greg Hunt, on Monday.
Launched in March this year, SPHERE, which also goes by its Dharug Indigenous name Maridulu Budyari Gumal, received the endorsement for its commitment to bringing together research, education and health care delivery organisations to benefit the community.
UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs says the 14 organisations – four health services, three universities and seven medical research institutes – have committed to deep cooperation to deliver better healthcare for Sydney and beyond.
"The recognition that comes with this accreditation will facilitate the joint efforts of the SPHERE members to contribute to our community," Professor Jacobs, the inaugural Chair of SPHERE, said. "Our shared aim is to work together to drive excellence in research and education, which deliver improvements in health care and economic prosperity".
In May this year, SPHERE awarded $2 million from its $20 million seed funding to its 12 Clinical Academic Groups, which are working to address major health challenges in areas including Aboriginal health and wellbeing, ageing, maternal, newborn and women’s health.
"These projects will deliver benefits for the population of Sydney and New South Wales, whilst also having a global impact. As an accredited AHRTC, SPHERE will both lead and collaborate on national initiatives with the other centres nationally," Professor Jacobs said.
The NHMRC gives Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre accreditation to groups that excel in research, the translation of evidence into excellent patient care, and demonstrate a strong research and translation focus in the education of health professionals, at an international level.
For a full rundown of SPHERE's partner organisations and aims, go to the website.