By Ryan Bourke, graphics by Will Novak
ANU has announced the establishment of a “world-leading” national health precinct on its campus. The announcement was made on July 6, signifying a significant expansion to both the university’s campus and its capacity to conduct groundbreaking medical research.
The new national health precinct will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to house the latest advancements in medical treatment and research. It will be constructed on land that was sold to ANU by the Australian Capital Territory (A.C.T) government for $16.75 million. This signifies collaboration between the university and state government, for the purposes of enhancing the nation’s healthcare capabilities’.
ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt expressed the university’s vision for the precinct, stating, “We will use this site to bring together research, teaching, policy, treatment, and public engagement to understand and meet Australia’s future health needs, which is a key part of our mission as the national university.”
The project is expected to seek commercial partners to support its development, with an estimated cost likely to reach the “hundreds of millions.” This collaborative approach aims to leverage the expertise and resources of various stakeholders in the healthcare industry to drive innovation and excellence.
The precinct will be a hub for ANU’s translational work in public health, biomedical science, medicine, and psychology. The facility will play a crucial role in transforming cutting-edge research into practical treatments available to the public.
The precinct will not only focus on research and academia but will also provide space for health-focused organisations and agencies, clinical services, engagement and learning opportunities, and related retail services.
An ANU spokesperson told Observer, “ANU will seek commercial partners to fully fund the construction… It will house the university’s world-leading expertise in public health, epidemiology, medicine, and psychology, as well as translate research into treatments available to the public”.
“There will be a focus on personalised precision medicine, where each person’s unique characteristics – biological, psychological, social, environmental, the exact nature of their illness, and their individual personal circumstances – are all taken into account. It will lead the way in precision diagnostics, and highly targeted treatments.”
The precinct will be constructed alongside the Australian Academy Of Science on Marcus Clarke Street, and is expected to be completed in 2029.
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