Macquarie University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor S. Bruce Dowton, and the President and Chair of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) Board, David Dinte, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding that capitalises on the existing mutually beneficial relationship. The partnership involves RIDBC's cochlear implant and early intervention programs in the Australian Hearing Hub, founded by Macquarie, the affiliation of the RIDBC Renwick Centre's education activities, and collaborative research projects.
David Dinte (RIDBC) and S Bruce Dowton (Macquarie University) signing the MoU.
RIDBC will relocate their headquarters and services related to diagnostics, therapy, early intervention, and education into an exemplar facility on campus at Macquarie University in 2023.
The formalised partnership deepens the exploration of shared advocacy interests around sensory disability, such as a united voice to government on public health policy and practice in sensory disability, as well as standards of care and funding of best practice models of healthcare. Together, Macquarie and RIDBC can expand international networks and collaborations that support the adoption of leading health practices in hearing and vision.
Macquarie University and RIDBC will further build the partnership to maximise the University's preeminent hearing precinct where academia, practitioners, and industry partners (such as Cochlear Ltd) can collaborate and provide leadership in hearing healthcare globally.
The shared purpose will enable better research on sensory disability, support development of an effective and coordinated health and services model, promote best-practice inclusive and accessible education and world-class clinical evaluation, testing and diagnosis from industry-leading clinicians.
Professor Dowton says, "This is a long-term partnership centred on co-location and a shared mission to amplify our impact by working collaboratively. Together, we will better understand the causes of hearing and vision loss while inclusively developing device technology, therapies and research-informed educational and assistive platforms."
RIDBC Chief Executive Chris Rehn says,
"Today we formalise our deep ties with Macquarie University, with the signing of this agreement which will see RIDBC move its headquarters to a purpose built site at the University, where centres of excellence will deliver best practice services and support for people with hearing or vision loss. Our combined expertise and voice will be a formidable force for good, for people with hearing loss, and for knowledge sharing and influence."
Additional information
The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children is Australia's largest non-government provider of education, therapy and cochlear implant services for children and adults with vision or hearing loss, their families, and the professionals who support them.
