AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience
Located at La Trobe's Bundoora campus, the Victorian Government and La Trobe University are investing in a world-class centre for agricultural biosciences research and development through a $288m public private partnership. The Biosciences Research Centre Project will deliver AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience - it will contribute to:
AgriBio will bring the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the largest agricultural R&D organisation in the State, together with La Trobe, one of the top Universities in Victoria, to create synergies leading to better science outcomes for the benefit of Victoria and Australia. It will accommodate up to 400 staff - including scientists, students and support staff - from DPI and La Trobe University. It will have a major impact on the quality of scientific research conducted in Victoria. The facility will help to protect the State's $11.8 billion agricultural sector and will strengthen Victoria's international reputation for agricultural research and diagnostics.
Plenary Research - comprising Plenary Group, Grocon and Honeywell Services - will design, construct, finance and provide facility management services required for the operation of the facility over a 25-year period, on behalf of La Trobe and DPI.
Construction commenced in May 2009, with the facility expected to be fully operational in 2012.
Students can make a difference
AgriBio is a multi-million dollar investment in students' education and futures.
From the 2009 undergraduate intake onwards, La Trobe's students will have access to the 'AgriBio option' on completion of their studies.
From 2012, honours and postgraduate students will have the opportunity to train in a first-rate facility, one of the best biosciences facilities in the world, and collaborate with world-leading scientists.
The research undertaken at AgriBio, which students will work on, will significantly contribute to the protection of agriculture from disease threats, improve primary industries' competitiveness and sustainability, and focus efforts on addressing current challenges including climate change and drought.