CityU signs agreement with Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited to form strategic alliance
At the same event, CityU announced its new Department of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Science and Engineering, which will be set up next January. The aim is to nurture highly educated and skilled professionals and researchers in the field of biomedicine, utilise the results of basic research in healthcare and nursing business, and cooperate with the School of Veterinary Medicine under preparation to enrich its pre-clinical veterinary medicine programme.
The framework agreement was signed by Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, and Mr Li Chuyuan, Chairman and CEO of GPHL, at a ceremony held at CityU. The agreement demonstrates once again CityU’s commitment to collaborating with industries in mainland China to support social and economic advancement, create applicable knowledge, and nurture and develop the talents of students.
Guangzhou officials included Mr Diao Ailin, Deputy Secretary General, Guangzhou Municipal Government; Mr Tang Guocai, Deputy Director-General, Foreign Affairs Office, People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality; Ms Zhong Guangjing, Deputy Secretary, Food and Drug Administration of Guangzhou Municipality; Mr Chen Xiongqiao, Deputy Director, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Guangzhou Municipality; and Mr Liao Jincheng, Deputy Inspector, Bureau of Science and Information Technology of Guangzhou Municipality.
Representatives from GPHL included Mr Chen Mao, General Manager, and Ms Liu Juyan, Deputy General Manager.
All guests were received by Professor Way Kuo, Professor Arthur Ellis, Provost, Professor Roderick Wong Sue-cheun, Vice-President (Development and External Relations), Professor Lu Jian, Vice-President (Research and Technology), Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing, Vice-President (Student Affairs), Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Chief-of-Staff, Professor Yan Houmin, Dean of the College of Business, Professor Yan Hong, Acting Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, Dr Howard Wong Kai-hay, Executive Director of Life Sciences Programmes, and Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Acting Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
“In addition to the government level cooperation, we encourage local institutions to collaborate with mainland institutions, taking advantage of the strengths of the two places and individual institutions. This strategic collaboration between CityU and GPHL will provide a valuable experience for the further development of related areas,” he added.
“The strengths in scientific research of the world-class universities in Hong Kong combine well with the industry’s experience in business operation and marketing. The cooperation will enhance the innovation ability of enterprises, accelerate the industrialisation of the research results of the universities, and contribute to China’s economic development and the building of innovative society,” he added.
Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, welcomed the strengthening of cooperation. “CityU has been taking the lead in teaching and research in business as well as in biomedicine, and has established close relationships with relevant industries,” he said.
Under the agreement, the College of Business at CityU, in collaboration with GPHL, will explore the possibilities to establish a China business and economic development research centre. The centre will aim at carrying out research in regional economic development, financial policy studies and business model innovations. Another key collaboration with GPHL will be the development of executive training programmes and student internships.
Both parties will establish a joint research centre on biomedical sciences, which will boost research and development into new medicine and diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. These advances will help prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and tumours, as well as enhance research into veterinary medicine, including infectious diseases and vaccines.
The mission of the newly established Department of Biomedical Sciences at CityU is to become a leading academic department in the Asia Pacific region, specialising in biomedical research and education, and to nurture well-qualified talent in the fields of healthcare, biotechnology and medicine, diagnostic medical equipment, and food and environmental industries.
The Department of Biomedical Sciences will focus on basic and translational research in brain and neuroscience, regenerative biology, and cancer biology, helping society to meet the challenge of an ageing population and the changing regulatory environment.