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GSHP Vision
To be a leader in the development and innovative delivery of education, service delivery and research that results in high qualitygeographically and culturally appropriate health services.
The Graduate School for Health Practice (GSHP) is a joint initiative between Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the Northern Territory Department for Health and Families (DHF) and is located within the Institute of Advanced Studies, CDU. It was established in 2005 under the Partnership Agreement to address Building Capacity in Health Service Delivery in the Northern Territory. The current Co-Directors are Professor Sandra Dunn (CDU) and Mr Greg Rickard (DHF).
The GSHP began in 2006 with responsibility for continuing and developing two postgraduate coursework programs. Over the past 3 years we have continued the development and consolidation of courses, and in 2009 we are able to offer students 6 postgraduate courses across Nursing, Midwifery and Child and Family Health. Already, over 100 students have enrolled in our newly developed courses, a significant increase on enrolment prior to the establishment of the School and on the numbers of qualified health professionals studying in the NT. The Graduate School for Health Practice also has an active doctoral program with students undertaking research in health systems improvement in China, East Papua New Guinea and Indigenous Australia. A number of short courses are also offered through the GSHP.
The School has been highly successful in research grant applications, with both staff and research students working on large competitive grants including NHMRC and ARC grants. Many of the team are also involved in Commonwealth sponsored consultancy and tender work, and internationally in Samoa, Mongolia, East Timor, Thailand and Papua New Guinea.
The school has grown rapidly over the past 3 years and been well accepted across a broad spectrum, from senior policy makers to community based workers. The education, research and consultancy services provided by the school have been widely accessed by these professionals, and our skills have been sought by organisations such as the World Health Organisation and AusAID.
The Graduate School for Health Practice has recently farewelled Professor Lesley Barclay, a founding co-director of the school. Lesley’s efforts in establishing the education and research reputation of the school have been outstanding and highly valued. We are looking forward to continuing joint research projects with Lesley into the future and would particularly like to acknowledge her enormous contribution to the school.
We are very grateful to the staff of the GSHP and our supporters and partners, in particular the Department of Health and Families, who have made the establishment and growth of the GSHP possible. We invite you to read further for details of projects, courses, achievements and people. Please contact us directly for further information or assistance in school matters.
Best wishes,
Professor Sandra Dunn and Mr Greg Rickard
Co-Directors, Graduate School for Health Practice
