Melbourne, Australia
May 3, 2007
The Victorian Government plans to
build a new state-of-the art Biosciences Research Centre at
La Trobe University.
The new centre will advance genomic plant and animal science and
will focus new generation biosciences on threats such as climate
change to Victoria’s agricultural exports.
La Trobe University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson,
has welcomed the announcement by the Victorian Government in
today’s budget.
“We are delighted that the Victorian Government has chosen La
Trobe as the site to build this important facility”, he said.
“Researchers from La Trobe working in plant and animal sciences
already collaborate most productively with their colleagues in
the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and
co-location will further enhance science outcomes”.
“The choice of La Trobe as a partner in the project is a clear
indication of the capacity of the University to contribute to
critical research and development directed at enhancing and
protecting the plant and animal industries so vital to
Australia”.
The Victorian Government and La Trobe University are working
closely to finalise the proposed partnership arrangements.
The Victorian Government has allocated A$180 million to the
project. Subject to finalisation of the business case, La Trobe
University is looking to commit up to A$50m to the partnership.
The planned initiative will assist in positioning La Trobe
within the top tier of Australian universities, and will boost
the University’s and DPI’s international profile.
With the involvement of other research organisations such as
CSIRO, the Centre will quickly establish itself as one of
Australia's premier science facilities. |
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