University welcomes new budget commitments

Brain imaging
Investment in new facilities will improve medical research.

Today’s Victorian budget announcement provides welcome support to a number of world-leading education and research projects, according to University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis.

A $50 million commitment to the National Proton Beam Therapy Centre was among the headline announcements in the Budget.

“This vital investment in health infrastructure will provide enormous benefits in terms of life saving medical treatments and world leading medical research that can now continue in Melbourne,” Professor Davis said.

“The funding for a future Proton Beam Therapy facility will provide Victoria with transformational infrastructure that has international relevance, given its potential to draw in researchers and patients from across Australia and the entire Asia-Pacific region.

"It will lead to significant partnerships across the Parkville Precinct, boosting clinical trial capacity in the process.”

Professor Davis also welcomed the $3 million in support for the Parkville Biomedical Precinct, as well as that given to Orygen Youth Mental Health, family violence research, Asia capability and a further boost for international education.

“International education is one of Victoria’s biggest export earners, and this new injection of funds will help the higher education sector better promote itself to the world," he said.

“Research and education, like nothing else, has the power to be truly transformative with the appropriate levels of support. We believe today’s budget reflects this.

“We’re happy the State Government has thrown its support behind these initiatives, and we look forward to putting them into action.”