CUHK
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) have forged a strategic partnership by jointly establishing a research collaboration fund and research units in diabetes genomics and medical robotics.  It is the first time that CUHK has set up a joint research fund with a mainland institution.  Prof. Joseph Sung, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and Prof. Zhang Jie, President of SJTU signed collaboration agreements today (12 January) and officiated at the inauguration ceremony of the CUHK-SJTU Joint Research Centre in Diabetes Genomics and Precision Medicine, the first of its kind in Asia.

‘Our 2016-2020 Strategic Plan highlights the University’s commitment to focus our interdisciplinary research directions in various cross-cutting themes including Genomic and Precision Medicine, Robotics and Big Data, and to strengthen our alliance with strategic partners.  I’m pleased that President Zhang and I share the vision of deeper strategic collaboration between our universities, and the new joint research collaboration fund and joint research units are the results of our long-term and solid partnership.  By building on existing strengths of the two universities, we will forge new pathways for research and academic exchange to create synergetic growth and greater impact,’ said Professor Sung.

First joint research fund with a mainland institution

The newly established CUHK-SJTU Joint Research Collaboration Fund will promote and encourage the building and strengthening of research collaboration between the two institutions in the following areas or related areas of complementary strengths: Diabetes Research, Robotics, Digestive Disease, Reproductive Disease and Big Data.  The Fund will pave the way for joint projects that support multilateral partnerships, providing greater opportunities for academic and student mobility with stronger ties.

Combined strengths in diabetes genomics and medical robotics 

The CUHK and SJTU diabetes research groups have been in productive collaboration and at the forefront of research in the genetic basis of diabetes and related complications. This is evident from a large number of high-impact publications, including a joint discovery published in Nature in 2016.  The newly established CUHK-SJTU Joint Research Centre in Diabetes Genomics and Precision Medicine, the first of its kind in Asia, will provide a systematic platform focusing on diabetes genomics, translational research and precision medicine in diabetes.

The two Presidents have also signed a Letter of Intent today to set up a Joint Research Centre on Medical Robotics to promote collaborative research in medical robotics and accelerate the technology transfer for clinical applications.  Leading experts from different units will join the Centre for interdisciplinary collaboration in medical robotics research, development and innovations.

Long-term partnership between CUHK and SJTU

CUHK has a long history of collaborative engagement with SJTU.  Since the establishment of their partnership in 1990, both universities have been involved in concerted efforts ranging from research collaboration and academic exchange to curriculum development and talent nurturing.  Building on this solid foundation, the two universities established a Partnership Steering Committee in 2015, co-chaired by the two Presidents, to forge further collaboration in strategic areas.