In a world confronted by the largest global health crisis in over a century, nations are working together to contain, treat and prevent COVID-19. In doing so, difficult questions are being asked and difficult actions are having to be made in homes, hospitals and communities.
In announcing the establishment of a new Master in Bioethics program, Notre Dame Vice Chancellor Professor Francis Campbell highlighted that "the collaboration between governments, health systems and scientists worldwide during this crisis has been unprecedented. Notre Dame is focusing our scholarly contribution on addressing the ethical dimension of dealing with these difficult questions.
"With two medical schools, two schools of philosophy and theology and deep international connections we can make a unique contribution to the immediate challenges of COVID-19 and the many other contemporary and emerging issues in health and biosciences."
Building on world-class studies in bioethics developed in Notre Dame's medical programs over the last decade, the new graduate-entry, one-year Master's program will offer an innovative, applied approach to developing ethical thinking and decision-making.
Available to graduates from a range of disciplines including medicine, law, nursing, health sciences, philosophy and theology the course aims to enrich our ethical considerations from many perspectives. A multidisciplinary faculty from the schools of Medicine, Philosophy and Theology, and Law as well as from the national Institute for Ethics and Society will teach and supervise students in the degree. Courses will be available online during the COVID-19 crisis and will commence in Semester 2 2020.
Deputy Vice Chancellor and former Dean of Notre Dame's medical school in Sydney Professor Christine Bennett AO applauded the establishment of the new program.
