Boost for coasts and climate research
[ The University of Melbourne Voice Vol. 1, No. 16
15 - 29 October 2007 ] By Christina Buckridge
The University of Melbourne is set to create an internationally recognised centre for marine and climate education and research – the National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC) – at Point Nepean.
The University has signed agreements with the Commonwealth Government and the Point Nepean Community Trust to enable the setting up of the Centre.
The Commonwealth will provide 110 fully-funded student places for programs aligned with the aims of the Centre, and $2.1 million to provide facilities at Point Nepean to the University rent-free for seven years.
The Trust will provide at least $7 million to develop high-quality laboratory, teaching and accommodation facilities on the site.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, says the Centre has potential to bring together University stakeholders with wide ranging research and education interests from Science (Botany, Environmental Science and Zoology), Engineering and Arts (Anthropology, Australian Indigenous Studies, Archaeology, History and Geography).
“It will be a focal point of excellence for a broad range of communities – local, national and international, Indigenous, scientific, educational and business,” he says.
The Centre will incorporate undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and postgraduate research programs and offer specialist research and training for postgraduate and late-stage undergraduate students with external scientific laboratories and industry partners.
Head of the Department of Zoology, Professor David Macmillan, believes the iconic site has the potential to develop into one of Australia’s most significant marine and climate research and training centres.
“Point Nepean has attributes that are associated with the world’s leading marine research laboratories,” he said. “It has a sheltered site close to an assured oceanic seawater supply, a location within a state park, proximity to major city facilities and airports, an association with a leading university and iconic and historic buildings as a central part of the development, and the support of the local Point Nepean Community Trust.”
He expects that the Centre will attract research visitors from across Australia and internationally.
On a community level, the Centre will be a focus for other more general education and learning activities such as study facilities for school students and ocean education ships.
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