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The George Institute for Global Health and the University of New South Wales today announced their intention to form a strategic collaboration to bolster high-impact medical research and transform lives around the world, a priority of both organisations.

“UNSW is excited to join forces with The George, a dynamic medical institute with an enviable track record in public and clinical health research and an international reach,” said Professor Ian Jacobs, UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor.

“The George shares our commitment to improve the lives of people around the world. Working together, our innovations and discoveries will have an enormous positive impact on the health of some of the most marginalised communities, a key aspiration of UNSW’s 2025 Strategy.”

As part of the 2025 Strategy, UNSW is making a significant investment in ground-breaking collaborations and world-class research talent.

Professors Stephen MacMahon and Robyn Norton, the founders and Principal Directors of The George Institute, said: “We’re thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate with UNSW – this is a game changer for The George. We see real synergies between our strategic goals and the UNSW strategic vision to transform lives through research. 

“The George is an independent, global medical research institute that prides itself on targeting the world’s biggest health priorities and providing sustainable solutions to improve the health of people all over the world.

“An academic collaboration will boost our research capacity and allow us to ramp up our projects and research impact dramatically,” said Professors Norton and MacMahon.

Areas of initial research focus are expected to include: non-communicable diseases and injuries; clinical trials; epidemiology and biostatistics; and health systems, health services and ‘big healthcare data’. Other areas to be considered include the health of women, girls and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; research on health-focused social enterprises; and the establishment of a global health policy think tank. 

“These are all critical areas of clinical and public health research that highlight the complementarity of both institutions’ world-class expertise,” said Professor Rodney Phillips, Dean of UNSW Medicine.

“This collaboration will strengthen our capacity to tackle some of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century and make a real difference, which aligns with UNSW Medicine’s research priorities.”

The George Institute is currently affiliated in Australia with the University of Sydney and internationally with a number of leading academic institutions including the University of Oxford and Peking University Health Science Centre.

“We’re very proud of the successes we’ve shared, and the role we’ve had within the University of Sydney,” said Professors MacMahon and Norton. “We look forward to continuing the many fruitful collaborations we have with researchers across the institution. We are very excited by the opportunity to extend our academic collaboration with UNSW.”

About The George Institute The George Institute for Global Health is headquartered in Sydney, with major centres in China, India and the UK, and projects in approximately 50 countries worldwide. The George Institute is focused on some of the biggest challenges to improving global health, especially for those at socio-economic disadvantage or living in resource poor settings. Since its founding in Sydney in 1999 as an independent research institute, The George has been affiliated with the University of Sydney and has grown to become a global organisation with over 600 staff worldwide and a reputation for publishing in the top medical journals in the world, as well as contributing to major changes in policy and practice.

About UNSW UNSW is a leading Australian university committed to making a difference through pioneering research and preparing the next generation of talented global citizens. The University, which ranks within the top 100 universities worldwide, has announced its 2025 Strategy to position it as Australia’s global university, among the world’s best. Driven by innovation and excellence, UNSW Medicine is proud to rank among the world’s top 50 medical faculties and among Australia’s leaders in medical education and research, addressing some of the most significant health issues facing society.