History of the School
UniSA and the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences as they are today are the product of a long history of educational, industrial and technological development in South Australia.
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First pharmacy tertiary education in SA
1890s
The first tertiary education for pharmacists in South Australia began with the establishment of lectures in chemistry (1893) and botany (1895) for pharmacy apprentices at the University of Adelaide. Responsibility for the training of pharmacists and medical scientists was transferred to UniSA’s antecedent institution, the South Australian Institute of Technology, in the 1960s.
School of Mines and Industries established
1889
UniSA’s origins can be traced back to when the South Australian School of Mines and Industries was established in 1889 in response to the community’s need for a quality technical education centre. Subjects taught included mathematics, physics, chemistry, drawing, carpentry and dressmaking.
Brookman Building opened
1903
The Brookman Building was officially opened on February 24, 1903, on the corner of North Terrace and Frome Road, a site that would later become UniSA’s City East campus. The building – which included physics and electrical labs, lecture rooms and mechanical workshops – was partly funded by a 10,000-pound donation from wealthy industrialist George Brookman.
First lab med training in SA
1958
The first formal training program for medical laboratory technicians in the State was established, with the formation of the South Australian branch of the Australian Institute of Medical Laboratory Technologists (AIMLT) in 1958. Responsibility for the training of medical laboratory technologists was transferred to UniSA’s antecedent institution, the South Australian Institute of Technology, in 1964.
Institute of Technology formed
1960
The Adelaide Technical High School and the South Australian School of Mines and Industries merged to form the South Australian Institute of Technology in 1960 (SAIT later merged with other institutions to become the University of South Australia in 1991).
First SA pharmacy degree
1965
The State’s first degree program in pharmacy was established by the School of Chemical Technology, Metallurgy and Pharmacy at UniSA’s antecedent institution, the South Australian Institute of Technology.
Reid Building opened
1968
A new building was completed in 1967 on SAIT’s Frome Road site, later to become part of UniSA’s City East campus. The building housed the School of Chemical Technology and Pharmacy, and in 1968 was officially opened and named the FW Reid Building, after Frederick William Reid, a former head of the SA School of Mines and Industries and its Department of Metallurgy and Chemistry. The Reid Building continually evolved and improved over the years, and in 2005/6 underwent a major renovation that included the upgrade of chemistry and advanced food science laboratories that are used by students and researchers from the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences.
UniSA formed, School evolves
1991
The University of South Australia (UniSA) Act was established in 1991 with the merger of the South Australian Institute of Technology and three South Australian College of Advanced Education campuses. SAIT’s School of Chemical Technology, Metallurgy and Pharmacy was renamed the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and included several newly-established research centres including the Centre for Pharmaceutical Research and the Quality Use of Medicine and Pharmacy Practice Research Centre.
Hetzel appointed Chancellor
1992
The Hon. Dr Basil Hetzel AC, world renowned for his research into the links between iodine deficiency and brain damage, was appointed Chancellor of the University of South Australia (David Klingberg succeeded Dr Hetzel as Chancellor in 1999).
Biotechnology degree established
1997
The Bachelor of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology program was established by UniSA’s School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences in 1997, responding to the expanding role of biotechnology applications in industry and research.
International students welcomed
1999
The School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences welcomed its first major intake of international students in 1999, when a group of pharmacy students arrived at UniSA as part of an agreement with the Sepang Institute of Technology, Malaysia.
Northern partnerships program launched
2002
The UniSA Northern Adelaide Partnerships (UNAP) program was established to underpin social and economic development and improve education participation in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. The program continues to work with the School to encourage students from the northern suburbs to pursue professional careers in the medical sciences.
Basil Hetzel Building opened
2005
The Basil Hetzel Building was completed and launched at City East campus as part of the University’s $100 million capital development program, Blueprint 2005. The building provides staff and students with unprecedented access to facilities including some 2,000 square metres of multipurpose biomechanical, pharmaceutical and microbiological laboratory space.
Sansom Institute founded
2004
Named after former Head of School Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom, the Sansom Institute was founded in 2004, bringing together all research in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences.
Pharmaceutical science degree established
2007
The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science degree was established by the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, with the first intake of students to take place in 2008. The new program responds to a growing demand for graduates with a broad and formal education in the pharmaceutical sciences.