Interest strong in medicine at careers expo

May 04, 2007

Interest in the University of New England's new medical program was running strong at the Armidale Careers Expo held at UNE's Wright Centre yesterday.

About 750 school students from 14 high schools – some as far away as Dorrigo and Emmaville – attended the event. About 60 exhibitors were on hand to talk to students about careers as diverse as accountancy, teaching and law enforcement.

One of the most popular stands was Hunter New England Health, where Project Officer Rebecca Crockett and her colleagues received more than 150 enquiries about careers in health. A lot of students were keen to hear about the new joint medical program to be run in partnership between Hunter New England Health, the University of Newcastle and the University of New England from 2008, she said.

The program will provide for 60 Commonwealth-supported students to study a five-year medical program at the University of New England and a further 100 students at the University of Newcastle.

"If anyone said they were interested in a career in medicine, we directed them to the school," Ms Crockett said.

Enrolments and Progressions Officer Maree Walsh fielded enquiries for UNE about the new medical school and said there was a lot of interest from local students who were excited about the prospect of studying medicine locally.

Students who want to apply for the Bachelor of Medicine at UNE needed to sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) in July, Ms Walsh said. Registration for UMAT2007 closes on Friday, June 1.

Press contact: Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3771. A photo is available to accompany this story.

Pictured: Ellen Mackenzie from Armidale High School discusses the UNE experience with Customer Service Officer Lisa Rice.

Posted by Leon Braun at May 4, 2007 04:20 PM