Signature of agreement for the creation of the new HKU-Pasteur Research Pole within the Faculty of Medicine, HKU [fr]
On 17 December, 2013, an agreement had been signed between one of the most prestigious universities in Asia, University of Hong Kong (HKU), and Institut Pasteur, a global leader in the research of infectious diseases.
The collaboration between the two institutions dates back to 1999 of HKU-Pasteur Research Center (HKU-PRC). Over the years, HKU-PRC has developed research programs dealing with infectious diseases that may have devastating effect on public health and the economy in Hong Kong, China and the larger Asian region, with major emphasis on respiratory infections.
The HKU-Pasteur Research Centre moves on to the next stage and becomes the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, a structure fully integrated into the centre of influenza research of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of HKU. This new agreement ensures a long-term continuation of the successful partnership between HKU and IP. It results from the long established and fruitful scientific cooperation between France and Hong Kong in the field of infectious diseases research and teaching. HKU-PRP will provide superb opportunities and support for outstanding young scientists with an interdisciplinary mind ready to take advantage of the international environment available through HKU and IP.
To mark the occasion, Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong, Mr. Arnaud Barthélémy, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, and Mr. Leo Kung Lin-Cheng, Chairman of HKU-PRC, hosted a signing ceremony at 3 p.m. today at the Alumni Chamber of the Faculty of Medicine of HKU. The event opened with a welcome- speech by Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong, to mark the significance of such international collaboration between two prestigious institutions. Professor Christian Brechot, Director General of Institut Pasteur, praised the quality of the achievements of this strategic partnership both in research and teaching and noted that HKU and IP have been prescient in understanding that progress in research and health care are possible only through a global vision. He stressed the necessity to remain connected to the core principles of scientific excellence and altruistic values that aim at improving patients’ care regardless of socio-economic considerations.
While praising the signing of the agreement, Mr. Arnaud Barthélémy underlined the crucial role of the HKU-Pasteur research pole in the scientific bilateral cooperation between Hong Kong and France. He stressed that, thanks to the creation of the pole, the emblematic and fruitful collaboration between HKU and IP will intensify and help tackle a threat which concerns us all. The ceremony continued with the signing of the Agreement by the two partners, being represented by Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui and Prof. Chritian Brechot.
About Institut Pasteur
Institut Pasteur is a French non-profit private foundation whose mission is to contribute to the prevention and treatment of disease, through research, education, and public health activities. Since its creation by Louis Pasteur in 1887, Institut Pasteur has become famous throughout the world as a symbol of excellence in biomedical science. Together with its major contribution to a deeper understanding of fundamental aspects of life, Institut Pasteur continues to devote a large part of its efforts to infectious diseases, inherited disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers. Close to 2,600 people work on its main campus in Paris that is at the heart of an international network of 32 research institutes on 5 continents. Over the years, 10 Institut Pasteur researchers have received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Website: http://www.pasteur.fr/fr
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