Safe strategy

The Monash institution that made Australian roads and homes safer is now taking its expertise to communities across the world.

For the last 18 months Professor Brian Fildes has been working to establish the European node of the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) at the University's base in Prato, Italy.

"We are in the heart of the European car market. Manufacturers sought our expertise from our base at Clayton but now we're just around the corner and it makes for a stronger relationship. We can talk to safety equipment manufacturers and car companies one-on-one, test equipment and be roadside at a testing track in just a few hours," he said.

MUARC's international experience in injury prevention extends far beyond the automotive industry. The centre has been steadily developing its international reputation for excellence in accident prevention in homes, schools and workplaces.

"We are already working with a number of universities and researchers in Italy and other European countries, and our agreements for collaborative work to address the global problem of injury are growing steadily," Professor Fildes said.

The Prato node was the first step in MUARC's plan to expand its physical presence around the world. MUARC has now expanded across the University's global footprint to be a truly international research centre in its own right.

A research unit was established within the Faculty of Engineering at the Sunway campus in Kuala Lumpur in October 2008 and an Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion research node was established at the Monash South Africa campus in Johannesburg this year.

Dr Jennie Oxley is Associate Director of MUARC Sunway and said the key activities are to develop collaborative research groups to undertake research projects in priority areas.

"There is concern about the overall health and well-being of children and the elderly. We've been working closely with a number of health groups to undertake research projects and to develop seminars on healthy lifestyles, well-being and injury prevention strategies," she said.

In South Africa, a new agreement will see MUARC researchers collaborate with colleagues from the South African Medical Research Council and the University of South Africa in the areas of road safety, child health, acute care and trauma, and community engagement.

Back in Prato, Professor Fildes has noticed the roads around the city could do with some safety improvement and local councils and government are already knocking on his door for some road design advice. Then again he says, the local drivers could also do with some extra lessons.

Find out more about MUARC on the Monash University Accident Research Centre website and read more about the Monash University Prato Centre in Italy.