The State Government has announced $15 million for the health and medical research institute to be built at the University of Wollongong.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced the funding for the first stage of the institute while opening the UOW's Innovation Campus at Fairy Meadow on Friday morning.
The institute will focus on reducing childhood obesity and the incidence of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Mr Iemma said the funding would allow the university to proceed in partnership with the Government in the first stage of the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute.
``The institute will be linked to the University's Graduate School of Medicine and form a unique partnership with Wollongong Hospital,'' Mr Iemma said.
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