Universities join forces to create world-first centre

The University of Queensland and Southern Cross University have signed a collaborative agreement to deliver the world’s first university-based research and education centre dedicated to complementary medicine.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay and SCU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard said they were pleased to join in the ground-breaking venture which would assist in providing the highest quality health care outcomes for the community.

The new centre will bring together study of traditional and complementary medicines to enable more holistic education of health professionals.

An estimated 73 percent of Australians currently take complementary medicines, while Australia’s complementary medicine market is estimated to be worth $600 million annually.

Professor Hay said the new centre, to be known as the Australian Centre for Complementary Education and Research (ACCMER) would be located at both Lismore and Brisbane, with additional teaching, research and administrative staff drawn from across UQ’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

"The Centre will play a major role in educating the community about the use of complementary medicines," he said.

"The establishment of ACCMER is an appropriate partnership between the mainstream orthodox health disciplines, represented by UQ’s Faculty of Health Sciences, and the field of complementary medicine, represented by Southern Cross`s School of Natural and Complementary Medicine," he said.

Professor Rickard said that for the first time, mainstream health professionals across the fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, allied health and human movement studies would be able to undertake postgraduate studies and research work in complementary medical practices.

"The Australian Centre for Complementary Medicine Education and Research will claim a leadership position based on the legitimacy provided by an orthodox and complementary health discipline base," he said.

The Centre`s foundation sponsor is Faulding Australia, which has committed $500,000 of funding over the first five years.

Prof Rickard said attracting further industry and corporate support would be a major priority, as would the securing of high-level international students, including graduates from countries where complementary medical practices are widely followed.

Media: Further information, Penny Linemann, telephone 07 3346 4714 or Carrie Schofield telephone 07 3346 4713.