Uni defends medical degrees

SCU vice chancellor Professor Peter Lee .

John Waddell

A SOUTHERN Cross University vice chancellor, Professor Peter Lee has spoken out against attacks on complimentary medicine taught at the university.

Prof Lee has rejected claims by the self-named group Friends of Science in Medicine that complementary medicine should not be taught in Australian universities.

SCU offers majors in naturopathy and complementary medicine as part of the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences degree, which also provides a pathway into graduate medicine, dietetics and physiotherapy, according to Prof Lee.

"It is offered alongside traditional health studies," he said.

"The university is proud of the quality of the naturopathic studies and complementary medicine majors offered within the degree.

"The rigour of our teaching, the qualifications of our staff and the quality of our graduates are the best defence against such generalised condemnation of a field in which we have set the highest standards."

Dean of Health and Head of the School of Health and Human Sciences Professor Iain Graham said the school worked with professional associations to design and deliver contemporary courses that meet the demands of a growing health industry.

"The Australian public are actively seeking these types of treatments, therefore we take seriously our commitment to provide appropriate education in areas of real community need."