| (April 14 2007, Hong Kong)
Following its formation last year, the East-West Alliance (EWA)
held its Inaugural Meeting and Signing Ceremony of a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU)at the University of Hong Kong on 14 and 15
April.
The EWA is a global medical network comprising nine renowned research-led
institutes supported by the Li Ka Shing Foundation. This common
thread and relationship have created a new platform for inter-institute
exchange. EWA members are the University of California, Berkeley,
University of Cambridge, St Michael's Hospital (affiliated to University
of Toronto), The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Institut Pasteur, University of Manitoba, Shantou
University and Stanford University.
To underline the shared values and commitment among members, a
MOU was signed today, under which the members pledged to
1) explore collaborative research opportunities so as to solve the
most pressing global health problems in niche areas, including aging,
cancer and infection,
2) attract research grants through multidisciplinary collaborations
and
3) advance health science and technology through research and knowledge
translation.
EWA members also vowed to foster academic exchange to build on
and synergise the unique strengths of the Alliance members. This
means that the collaboration and partnership brought about by the
EWA not only enable members to contribute to a global cause but
also to wield the power and command resources of more than one single
institute for the eventual benefit of mankind. The Inaugural Meeting
is an emblem of this self and mutual developmental, cooperative
spirit and the MOU enshrines the commitment.
The Conference was hosted by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
of The University of Hong Kong and has captured the attention of
the world's scientific and medical communities as it tackled the
increasing health hazards posed by two highly topical challenges
- cancer and infection - among the major global health issues identified
by the EWA for collaborative work.
Aging populations and global pandemics, as well as the problems
evolving there from, are among the most threatening challenges facing
the scientific, medical and academic fields in this century. Cancer
and stem cell, medical knowledge transfer and translation also touch
everyone regardless of nationality and culture.
Sixteen experts from world famous institutes in North America,
Europe and Asia gathered in Hong Kong to share ground-breaking studies
and findings in some of the most widespread killer diseases which
inevitably have to be faced by people around the world. Presentation
topics included hepatitis, cervical cancer, SLE, HIV, Avian Flu,
oesophageal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, ovarian cancer. The strengths
of individual clinical programmes were discussed in an attempt to
look for synergies to deliver higher impact results, which was one
of the missions of the Alliance.
Professor Raymond Liang, Acting Dean of the Medicine, University
of Hong Kong, said, "The Alliance of these nine institutions
and the signing of the MOU today mark a milestone in our pursuit
of excellence. It creates a platform for us to conduct ground-breaking
research, foster academic exchange and promote healthcare."
"This conference is the first step in the long journey towards
our ultimate goal of bridging any gap between the East and West
to improve human health. It also marks the 120th anniversary of
our Faculty. The University of Hong Kong and the Li Ka Shing Faculty
of Medicine are extremely privileged to be able to host this world-class
event at this memorable moment," continued Professor Liang.
After the conference, each member of the Alliance will also explore
and take turn to organise international conferences on a theme relevant
to the Alliance's core areas of expertise and concern.
Representatives from Alliance onstage for the Signing Ceremony.
From left to right:
- University of Manitoba - Dr Patrick Choy, Associate Dean of
Medicine
- Institut Pasteur - Dr Roberto Bruzzone, CEO, HKU-Pasteur Research
Centre
- Shantou University - Dr Frieda Law, Executive Director (Medical),
Li Ka Shing Shantou University Foundation
- St. Michael's Hospital - Dr Andreas Laupaucis, Director, Li
Ka Shing Knowledge Institute
- The University of Hong Kong - Professor Raymond Liang, Acting
Dean, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
- University of California, Berkeley - Professor Robert J. Birgeneau,
Chancellor
- University of Cambridge - Professor Gillian Murphy for Professor
Patrick Sissons, Regius Professor, School of Clinical Medicine
- Stanford University - Dr James Ford for Dr Phillp Pizzo, Dean,
School of Medicine
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong - Professor Dennis Lo, Associate
Dean (Research)
- End -
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