Monash was named as the world’s top university in Pharmacy and Pharmacology in the authoritative QS World University Rankings, a first for an Australian university in life sciences.

Monash beat the likes of the Oxford University, Harvard University and Cambridge University for the accolade.

The university's accomplishments include the development of Australia’s first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, manufactured locally for clinical trials, and the launch of Septerna, a biotech company dedicated to discovering and advancing novel small molecule medicines.

Researchers are also developing an inhaled oxytocin powder for postpartum haemorrhage, a life-saving treatment particularly in developing countries where treatment for this condition is currently hard to obtain.

Monash University vice-chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC said, “This is a proud achievement for Monash. Placing number one in Pharmacy and Pharmacology demonstrates our research and education excellence in this field, which is critical for the future health of our community.”

The QS World University Rankings assess the performance of more than 1,300 universities worldwide. The rankings are compiled from an analysis of more than 13.9 million unique papers and global surveys by employers and academics.

Monash also scored top tier rankings in Education (13th), Nursing (14th), and Anatomy and Physiology (29th).

Solar study

Monash University also recently published a study which outlines a path forward to Melbourne’s energy self-sustainability through solar power.

Integration of solar panels throughout roofs, walls and windows, otherwise known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), could provide 74 per cent of the city’s own electricity needs radically transform Melbourne’s carbon footprint, Monash said.

Rooftop solar would constitute 88 per cent of this supply, with deployment of emerging ‘solar windows’ and photovoltaic technology integrated in building facades delivering 4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.

The researchers compared Melbourne’s 2018 electricity consumption to the electricity production that could potentially be achieved through building-integrated solar.

The researchers hope that by using the modelling they have developed, policy makers, energy providers, construction companies and building owners could optimise the potential of both new and existing structures.

The Victorian Chamber is a supporter of sustainability efforts, with clean energy industries one of our policy advocacy pillars.

Monash told the Victorian Chamber that, to increase the solar uptake, efforts are still required to assess the fire risk related to the use of PV systems and update the building and construction standards accordingly, to continue research and development around integrated solar, and to develop guideline or tool for cost-effective solutions.

“In terms of time frame, we expect a 10-year horizon plan for larger scale integration of integrated PV within cities. This will start to arise due to net-zero policies that are going to start to put pressure on developers and building owners.”

The research, led by members of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science at Monash University, together with collaborators at the University of Lisbon, is the first of its kind.

Some relevant BIPV projects include Cbus Property building at 435 Bourke Street, the General building at Northcote and St Andrew’s Cathedral refurbishment.