Sun Yat-Sen visitors

A delegation from Sun Yat-Sen University is visiting the University of Birmingham this week to identify collaborative opportunities in the fields of immunology and infection, cell and gene therapy, clinical trials, and public health. 

During the two-day visit, the group will meet with academics in the University’s College of Medical and Dental Sciences to discuss ways of working together on future projects.  As part of the programme, the group will also visit a local GP surgery and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

With its main campus in Guangzhou, Sun Yat-Sen University is one of the largest universities in China. The University of Birmingham has significant links in Guangzhou including an ongoing strategic partnership with the municipal government. The College of Medical and Dental Sciences’ engagement with Chinese partners, such as Sun Yat-Sen University, is increasing as the country develops its capacity in education and research. 

The College also plays a pivotal role in the University’s most significant engagement in China to date - the Birmingham Guangzhou Centre. Launched in September 2011, the Centre’s activities have focused primarily on research and teaching collaborations in areas such as translational medicine, large population studies in lifestyle and infectious diseases, and cognitive neuroscience.   

Professor Lawrence Young, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, said:  “We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from Sun Yat-Sen University to explore how we can work in partnership in key areas of research and education. We have identified synergies between our institutions in immunology and infection, cell and gene therapy, clinical trials, and public health which offer some excellent potential for meaningful collaboration.”

Leading the Sun Yat-Sen delegation is Guangmei Yan, Vice-President and Professor of Pharmacology. Professor Guangmei Yan said: “We are looking forward to learning more about the University of Birmingham and its outstanding work in the field of translational medicine. We are excited about the prospects for further developing our collaboration in research and to establishing opportunities for student and staff exchange”.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on research and graduate education was signed between the University of Birmingham and Sun Yat-Sen University in April 2012.    

For media enquiries, please contact Catherine Byerley, International Press and PR Officer, University of Birmingham, tel +44 (0) 121 414 8254 or email c.j.byerley@bham.ac.uk