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Minister digs in at campus development

17 August 2005

The Victorian Minister for Innovation and State and Regional Development, Mr John Brumby, has launched major building works at the Parkville campus by ceremonially turning the first sod.

Digging it. From left: Professor Chapman and Minister Brumby.

Mr Brumby and the dean of the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Professor Colin Chapman, also inspected plans for the major expansion and redevelopment of the college.

Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government was a key supporter of biomedical science and research, and that the building works were a good fit with the government's vision for Victoria as a leading science and research hub.

Professor Chapman said the new building would accommodate biotechnology research and innovation that would greatly enhance the world-class standing of the college's research into drug discovery and delivery. It would also house the planned Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, he said.

"The institute will go a long way towards filling a gap in the 'value chain' between the discovery of targets for drug development and the successful development of new pharmaceutical products for the world market," Professor Chapman said.

"It will be based on the current research strengths in the faculty and will play an important role in translating drug discoveries made at Monash and elsewhere into effective medicines."

Construction of the new building -- the first phase of a major expansion of the campus -- is due for completion in 2007.