Notre Dame's committment to increasing rural and Indigenous med students acknowledged

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Summer 14-1-2010

Publisher Name

University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

Congratulations were extended to The University of Notre Dame Australia for its success in enrolling the highest number of rural origin students into the Department of Health and Ageing’s Rural Undergraduate Support and Coordination program (RUSC) 2009.

RUSC funds participating Australian medical schools to perform three key functions: promoting the selection of rural applicants; developing support systems for medical students with an interest in rural medicine; and providing short-term rural placements for all Australian medical students. Sixteen medical schools throughout Australia undertake these activities through the RUSC program.

In a letter written to the Dean of Notre Dame’s Fremantle Campus School of Medicine, Professor Gavin Frost, the Director of the Australian Government’s Medical Education and Training Branch, Mr David Meredyth, thanked the University for providing the program and noted its success in enrolling rural students. He also commented on the School's clear commitment to increasing Indigenous student numbers through the introduction of an Indigenous selection process.

Professor Frost said that he was delighted the University’s commitment to rural Australia and Indigenous students had been recognised in this way by the Government.

“The appointment of Mr Clive Walley as Associate Professor and Head of Indigenous Curriculum in the School this year was a major step in the process to recruit and retain indigenous medical students,” explains Professor Frost.

“Clive has extensive experience in teaching and curriculum projects, and will help all our students understand their part in helping to ‘close the gap’."

Media contact: Michelle Ebbs 08 9433 0610, 0408 959 138

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