Skip to content | Change text size
 

MUARC launches research node in Prato

3 December 2008

Rod McClure, Annamaria Pagliaro, Claudio Martini, Amanda Vanstone, Brian Fildes.
Director MUARC Professor Rod McClure, Director Prato Centre Dr Annamaria Pagliaro, President of the Tuscany region Claudio Martini, Ambassador of Australia to Italy Amanda Vanstone, Associate Director MUARC Europe Professor Brian Fildes.

The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has established a satellite node at the Monash University Prato Centre in Italy.

MUARC Europe was launched at a ceremony at the Monash Prato Centre last month by the President of the Regione Toscana, Claudio Martini. A number of key international guests, including the Australian Ambassador to Italy Amanda Vanstone, attended the launch.

MUARC is recognised internationally for its research into the prevention of injury across a range of settings including the road, workplace, home and school.

In addition to the Prato node, MUARC has offices in Kuala Lumpur, Johannesburg and Melbourne.

The Prato node will focus on research in injury causation and prevention across Europe, as well as teaching programs and community engagement.

Associate Director of MUARC Prato, Professor Brian Fildes said partnerships with local and European individuals and groups would be critical for the success of MUARC Europe.

"We have already approached a number of universities and researchers in Italy and other European countries to form agreements for collaborative work to address the global problem of injury," Professor Fildes said.

A Research Advisory Committee comprising prominent European and Australian experts will also be formed to help guide the direction of research undertaken by MUARC in Europe.

Director of Monash Prato Dr Annamaria Pagliaro welcomed the establishment of a MUARC research node at the Prato centre.

"It will expand the scope of the University's activities and strengthen its commitment to the Prato region and to Italy," Dr Pagliaro said.

Monash Prato opened in 2001 at Palazzo Vaj in the heart of Prato's historical centre. Monash secured the location with support from the Region of Tuscany and the local government of Prato.

The Prato centre aims to develop and expand Australia's connections with universities, governments, cultural organisations and industry in Europe and provide opportunities for Monash and other Australian students to study and work overseas.