UQ selected as Australia and Oceania’s first International Testing Agency Academic Centre

The announcement cements a partnership between the UQ and ITA - the UNESCO-recognised non-profit organisation that leads the anti-doping programs at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and supports more than 70 international sport bodies. 

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said the University was delighted to be approached to host the ITA Academic Centre for Australia and the Oceania region to support the Olympic and Paralympic anti-doping program. 

“Recognising the natural alignment and compatibility of interests and capabilities, UQ had no hesitation in agreeing to this exciting partnership,” Professor Terry said. 

As an ITA Academic Centre, UQ will train doping control officers, blood collection officers, chaperones and clean sport educators. 

ITA Foundation Board Chair Dr Valérie Fourneyron said education and workforce training were essential for the preventive fight against doping.  

“UQ brings an international reputation in sport education and research that will help advance the anti-doping work of the ITA enormously,” Dr Valérie Fourneyron said. 

For the past 5 years, UQ has been ranked first in Australia and second in the world for sports-related studies. 

The partnership will also promote joint academic research projects, the integration of anti-doping expertise into UQ curricula and the exchange of knowledge through guest lectures delivered by ITA experts.  

UQ researchers, PhD and Masters’ students working on approved research projects will have access to the ITA’s extensive databases for the conduct of approved health-related research projects.  

ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen said the partnership would allow the agency to expand an already strong relationship with Australia through their collaboration with Sport Integrity Australia and to foster access to high-quality education and training in Oceania.  

Professor Terry said the ITA Academic Centre complements a range of other projects at the University to help promote safe and fair sport, including an IOC-funded feasibility study on the establishment of safe sport hubs in the Pacific region.