The University of Melbourne has welcomed the Victorian State Budget which contains a number of important initiatives that will benefit the University and the broader community.
The State Government's spending program includes measures of direct significance to the University of Melbourne and to education, health and industry sectors. These include:
- $155 million commitment for the Australian Institutes for Infectious Diseases and Global Health to be located in Parkville
- Funding to plan the redevelopment of the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) including a new RMH campus in Arden
- The Breakthrough Victoria Fund: $2 billion in support for research and innovation in key sectors, anchored in innovation precincts in Parkville, Arden Macauley, Fishermans Bend, Bundoora and Clayton
- New funding for initial teacher education to fast-track graduates into the teaching profession
- $350 million for the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund
- $11 million to upgrade the University of Melbourne's Dookie campus near Shepparton
- $1.37 million to create the STEM Centre of Excellence, to be hosted at the soon-to-be-completed Science Gallery at the Melbourne Connect innovation precinct
- $1.4 billion for the Melbourne Arts Precinct, home of the Victoria College of the Arts, including a new NGV Contemporary.
University of Melbourne Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Considine said the State Budget reinforces the leading role Victoria's higher education sector will play in the state's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The budget includes funding for critical projects that are linked to the University of Melbourne like the new hub for infectious diseases and global health and the facilities upgrade at the Dookie campus," Professor Considine said.
"More broadly the budget's emphasis on infrastructure, industry and R&D, health and education will boost all Victorian universities and the capabilities of the Victorian people and our economy.
"Projects like the Breakthrough Victoria Fund will drive investment in research and through partnerships with research organisations universities will accelerate growth in key industry sectors and create the jobs of the future.
"The Royal Melbourne Hospital redevelopment will be the biggest health project in the state's history and will add to the state's world-class health, research and education infrastructure, while the new funding for initial teacher education will fast-track graduates into the teaching profession.
"These are just some of the opportunities in the budget for universities to demonstrate their collective expertise and lead the way as Victoria navigates its way out of this pandemic crisis.
"The University of Melbourne is very grateful for the Victorian Government's support and we look forward to continuing to work together in the months and years ahead."
