GSK awards grant for Indigenous researcher at University of Melbourne

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Australia will award a capacity building grant to an Indigenous researcher from The University of Melbourne’s School of Population and Global Health.

Valued at $20,000, the grant will support an Indigenous postgraduate student at the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences in 2013. The grant is a key deliverable under GSK’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which was launched in May 2012. GSK is the first pharmaceutical company to join the Reconciliation program.

“When we launched our first RAP last year we wanted to focus on building strong relationships and creating opportunities in the local community,” Geoff McDonald, General Manager GSK Australia Pharmaceuticals said.

“The partnership with University of Melbourne is a great example of how we’re turning these good intentions into action.” Geoff McDonald said.

Associate Dean (Indigenous Development), A/Prof Shaun Ewen, who is based at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, said he was delighted GSK has partnered the University to provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to pursue rewarding careers in health research.

“This grant will continue to generate new and important knowledge in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and improve health outcomes for Indigenous Australians,” Professor Ewen said.

“The collaboration between the University and GSK recognises our shared commitment to building the Indigenous health workforce, detailed in each organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan,” he said.

Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) are a trademark of Reconciliation Australia, the national organisation that promotes reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community. Information on the RAP program is available at: www.reconciliation.org.au. For a copy of GSK’s Reconciliation Action Plan, visit www.gsk.com.au/RAP.