UNSW Sydney was the first major university to establish a presence in south-western Sydney in 1989 and has since committed to the region through a significant presence, including the development of a $10 million dedicated teaching campus and research space as part of Liverpool Hospital.

This progressive outlook characterised the impressive Medicine Faculty Showcase this week.

Hosted by the UNSW Acting Dean of Medicine Professor Anthony Kelleher, the Showcase tour was presented to University staff, students and partners in three parts: a visit to Liverpool Hospital and the UNSW Clinical school; a visit to The George Institute for Global Health; and an awards ceremony for 6th year medical students at the Kensington campus.

"One of the pervading aspects of the UNSW 2025 strategy is its outward looking ambition to build new partnerships that more effectively deliver outcomes in Education, Research and Enterprise and make a difference in the communities in which we work," said Professor Kelleher.

"The focus of the day was deliberately not Kensington centric, rather it aimed to showcase our partnerships with Local Health Districts and Medical Research Institutes, which are essential for the effective education of our students and the conduct and translation of our research."

On arrival at Liverpool Hospital, guests were welcomed by Professor Jeremy Wilson, Head of the Clinical School, and split into three groups for demonstrations of:

  • the Molecular Science Cyclotron Facility, a state-of-the-art facility comprising the latest cyclotron technology and radiopharmaceutical production laboratories; 
  • the impressive teaching facilities, including a $2.1 million microscopy facility – a partnership between NSW Health, UNSW Sydney and the Cancer Institute NSW;
  • the Simulation Centre, where 6th year students put their education and training into practice in unplanned medical situations with actors.

The showcase bus then headed to The George Institute for Global Health in Newtown, where guests were welcomed by Executive Director Professor Vlado Perkovic and Chief Operating Officer Tim Regan.

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UNSW Medicine and The George Institute meet to discuss partnerships as part of the Showcase. Photo: Supplied

The George is one of the country’s largest medical research institutes and concentrates on people, not test tubes, effectively performing clinical and implementation research. Headquartered in Australia, it has successful centres in China, India and Oxford, and has recently acquired a presence in the United States.

"We are aiming over the next few months to bring together structures which help us engage more broadly across the UNSW family, there are a lot of opportunities and we absolutely welcome other ideas and suggestions," said Professor Perkovic.

"People spending time here and working with our researchers will enable that engagement and geographical closeness which makes a big difference in our people collaborating."

UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs closed the day thanking the many participants involved.

"We heard about some of the excellent work underway at The George, the links with UNSW Sydney and the spirit of generosity in partnership which underpins our interactions," Professor Jacobs said.

"This partnership is going from strength to strength, and on behalf of the UNSW team, I would like to thank The George and recognise the quality of everything you do."

Guests returned to UNSW Kensington campus to close out the Showcase with the Annual Year 6 Medical Students Awards and a moving recital of the Hippocratic oath, followed by a special farewell celebration.