Dean's Newsletter - April 2007

This monthly newsletter aims to update you with some of the activities within the Medical School. In this issue:

Curriculum Review
At the special Medical School meeting held on 4 April the Medical School approved the recommendations of Emeritus Professors Goulston and Oates and set the terms of reference for the working parties. Once again it was encouraging to see such interest for the project and I thank you for your attendance. Subsequently, the Medical School has advertised for three Stage Coordinators and an Executive Officer to form the nucleus of a new Office of Medical Education. Expressions of interest from members of staff are about to be sought for the Head of Assessment and Head of Evaluation positions. Updates can be found in For staff > Curriculum Review.

Hoc Mai
Hoc Mai has been successful in securing $360,000 from AusAID under its Australian Leadership Awards scheme. These funds will be used to assist 24 health professionals from across Vietnam to travel to Australia to observe medical practice at various teaching hospitals in Australia including Royal North Shore, Westmead, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Royal Prince Alfred and at other facilities in Tasmania and Victoria. We expect to welcome the first contingent in June and the second in July.

International Development Fund – Expressions of interest sought
Each year the University provides funds to support initiatives in internationalisation. These might include innovative programs, collaborative research and or learning and teaching initiatives. If you have an initiative that could do with some starter funds I urge you to consider applying. Expressions of interest by 4 June and the closing date for full applications is 16 July.

A briefing session about the Fund and submission guidelines will be held on Tuesday 8 May 2007, 2.00-4.00 pm in Room 330, The Old Teachers’ College A22. If you would like to attend, please contact by Monday 7 May.

New Facilities opened in Lismore
I was unable to be there but I was delighted that Ben Freedman, David Tiller, Joe Calanese and Tom Rubin were able to attend the recent opening of the new facilities at the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health. The facility is a mini campus which will help the UDRH to support its wide-ranging teaching and research programs including the collaborative medical teaching program being drawn up with our colleagues from the University of Wollongong and the University of Western Sydney. The facility was opened by Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott while he was in town as part of Pollie Pedal. Congratulations should go to the team at our Northern Rivers hub for their excellent work.

Closer ties to CMRI
I was very pleased that we have strengthened our connections with the Children’s Medical Research Institute late last month with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. While the University of Sydney and the Children's Medical Research Institute have a history of partnership in supporting original health and medical research, the MOU will enable us to take our collaboration to a new level.

Clinical trials office
The Medical School is actively involved in conducting clinical trials. In order to facilitate the efficient and smooth implementation of trials, the Medical School has established a Clinical Trials Office (CTO) to manage the process. Part of the process involves risk assessment, legal review and negotiation of agreements, and providing an interface between the University and researchers carrying out the trial activities. Clinical trials are an important activity that promotes better health outcomes. Please address any enquires to Dr Vera Terry on 9036 3371 or .