November 23, 2023

Senator Chisholm and Ms Byrnes MP visit UOW’s cutting edge research facilities

Visit highlighted UOW’s high quality research initiatives

The University of Wollongong (UOW) welcomed Assistant Minister for Education Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm and Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes MP on Wednesday (22 November) to showcase research investments awarded to the University through the Australian Research Council (ARC).

The ARC is critical to the national research system and plays a key role in supporting Australia’s high-quality fundamental and applied research, and research training.

“Investing in our tertiary education system, through the ARC, isn’t just about ensuring students have the facilities they need to complete their studies, it also plays a vital role in boosting our economy now and into the future,” Senator Chisholm said. 

“A recent impact assessment of ARC-funded research found every dollar invested in the ARC National Competitive Grants Program generates more than three dollars of economic output.

“The Albanese Government is committed to backing our universities so the research projects of today, can transform into the economic solutions of tomorrow.”

Senator Chisolm and Ms Byrnes were joined by UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures) Professor David Currow and toured the Wollongong node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, which is the world’s first research centre dedicated to creating positive digital childhoods for all Australian children and is situated within UOW’s Early Start.

This was followed by a visit to Molecular Horizons, a world-class medical research facility at UOW, dedicated to solving real-world health problems in the community – from the level of single molecules to the entire body. The research facility also nurtures and trains the next generation of leaders in medical research.

“Today’s ARC showcase is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the incredible work our researchers are doing to tackle the challenges our country faces,” Ms Byrnes said.

“The University of Wollongong has been the backbone of the Illawarra’s tertiary education offering for more than 70 years, providing locals with a quality higher education.

“The subsequent investments into the University over the years have seen the campus grow from its humble beginnings in 1951 to the number one university in Australia for graduate employer satisfaction.”

Professor David Currow highlighted the importance of investing in research and its impact on the communities and solving complex issues through research.

“I am delighted to welcome both Senator Chisholm and Ms Byrnes to our campus and show them the important work that we have been doing in multiple research areas made possible by Australian Research Council funding,” Professor Currow said.

“UOW is dedicated to providing impactful outcomes for the Illawarra community and contributing to a world where ideas flourish into solutions that shape the future.”