Statistical collaboration established with New Zealand Ministry of Health

Oct 31, 2006

The University of Wollongong has entered a statistical collaboration agreement with New Zealand's Ministry of Health confirming the Centre for Statistical and Survey Methodology (CSSM) as one of UOW's key areas of research strengths.

Professor David Steel Associate Dean (Research) with the Faculty of Informatics and Director of the CSSM said that over the past year the Centre and the Public Health Intelligence Unit in the New Zealand Ministry of Health have established an effective working relationship.

A contract signed at the University between the CSSM and Public Health Intelligence involves funding of up to $NZ225,000 over two years.

Professor Steel said the working relationship to date has involved the presentation of courses, joint conference papers and extensive sample design work by the CSSM Deputy Director, Dr Robert Clark, for the NZ Health Survey, which has recently gone into the field.

The partnership will involve a range of collaborative activities including:

* Providing assistance to Public Health Intelligence (PHI) in the area of statistical expertise

* Assisting PHI to develop capabilility in the design and analysis of health surveys and the analysis of health data

* Ad hoc analysis and research services for PHI

* A scholarship program to support selected Masters and PhD students studying in relevant areas

* A joint program of research projects

* A training program in statistical analysis and health survey design and analysis