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Tuesday, 27 February 2007

A record 94 South Australians are enrolled to study first year medicine at the University of Adelaide this year, representing 65% of the intake of 144 students.

"This is an outstanding result for local students and points to a healthy future for the State," said the University's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha.

"It is an increase of 30 South Australian students over the 2006 intake, which has been possible through a groundbreaking partnership between the University and State Government," Professor McWha said.

A joint campaign between the State Government, the University of Adelaide and Flinders University resulted in the Federal Government awarding the State an additional 60 university medical places for 2007.

The University of Adelaide received 40 of these places.

This year, for the first time, the State Government has also funded five Rural Bonded Scholarships at the University of Adelaide to address the shortage of doctors in country areas.

Health Minister John Hill welcomed the record number of local students enrolled.

"This is really good news for South Australian students who want to study medicine - and also for our state. Not only are local people getting more opportunities to study medicine, but there's a good chance that these people will stay in SA when they complete their course,'' he said.

The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Justin Beilby, said the record number of South Australians studying medicine, coupled with the changes to the curriculum, represented a big tick for the future of the medical workforce in South Australia.

"We are prepared to do whatever we can to train enough medical students to provide an excellent foundation for the future medical workforce in South Australia and to work closely with the State Government to facilitate their retention in the State," Professor Beilby said.