News and Events

2005 Media Releases

The University of Ballarat and La Trobe University launch bid for a regional and rural medical school

The University of Ballarat and La Trobe University today announced their intention to seek government support to establish a third medical school in Victoria.

“Together the two universities are uniquely placed to establish a regional and rural medical program,” Professor Kerry O. Cox, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ballarat, said.

“Combined we have eight campuses across western and northern Victoria and strong associations with hospitals throughout the State.”

Professor Michael Osborne, Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University, emphasised that the aim of the proposal was not to transplant a metropolitan program into a regional setting since this would not address the national problem of a shortage of regional and rural medical practitioners.

“Both universities believe that the regional and rural shortage of medical practitioners can only be addressed by universities with a strong regional presence and a truly regionally focused mission,” Professor Osborne said.

The proposal would see the two universities offering pre-medical programs as well as a jointly run graduate entry medical program based at Ballarat and Bendigo.

The first intake into the pre-medical programs would be in 2007 and the first intake into the graduate entry program would be set for 2008. Students in the pre-medical programs would graduate with a Bachelor of Medical Science after three years. Those with good results would be guaranteed a place in the four year graduate entry program.

Students from regional and rural Australia would be targeted for the programs.

The programs would be deeply embedded in existing healthcare systems in regional and rural communities and would be developed in close consultation with the Commonwealth and Victorian governments and professional associations, including the Australian Medical Association and the Society of General Practitioners.

For further information:

Please contact Professor Kerry O. Cox, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ballarat, tel: 03 5327 9500, or Mr Bob Goddard, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Development), La Trobe University, tel: 03 9479 2002.

Media enquiries should be directed to Matthew Freeman, tel: 03 5327 9510 or 0408 519 674.