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Monash in talks with Purdue University

1 February 2006

Monash has strengthened its ties with the US-based Purdue University following a visit from some of Purdue's senior staff in January.

Four staff members from Purdue, in West Lafayette, Indiana, visited Monash to meet university representatives and Australian Stem Cell Centre staff and to tour the university's stem cell facilities as well as science and engineering facilities.

Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the visit was aimed at establishing research partnerships in life sciences, engineering and other areas of research between the two universities.

"Purdue is a top-ranking US university in terms of engineering and science, and we are looking into potential research collaborations in these areas," Professor Larkins said.

The Purdue visitors included Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr Sally Mason, Dean of International Programs Dr Riall Nolan, Director of Purdue's Discovery Park Dr Alan Rebar and Vice-President for Research Dr Charles Rutledge.

Senior Monash staff members will visit Purdue University in April to further discuss areas of potential collaboration.

The Purdue visitors met Professor Larkins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish, Faculty of Arts Dean Professor Homer Le Grand, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Deputy Dean Professor Leon Piterman, Victorian College of Pharmacy Dean Professor Colin Chapman and Office of International Development Acting Head Mr Clive Vernon.

Established in 1869, Purdue University has about 70,000 students and 10,000 staff. As well as its main campus in Purdue, the university has four regional campuses and various teaching and research sites.

Professor Le Grand said Purdue was attracted to Monash by the similarities between the two universities and because of Monash's status as a leading international university.

Back row, from left: Dr Alan Rebar, Professor Richard Larkins and Dr Charles Rutledge; front row, from left: Dr Sally Mason and Dr Hugh Niall, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Stem Cell Centre.