Menzies-China partnership thriving at home and abroad

Menzies-China partnership thriving at home and abroad

A record number of PhD students from China are now conducting research at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania, as the institute's collaboration with China continues to strengthen.

A record number of PhD students from China are now conducting research at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania, as the institute's collaboration with China continues to strengthen.

On the eve of a visit to Hobart by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, Menzies recently ran its first course for post graduate students in China. The course, led by Professor Andrew Palmer, who directs the health economics research unit at Menzies, was held at Anhui Medical University (AMU).

AMU is at the centre of the Menzies-China collaboration.  It is one of the oldest educational institutions in the city of Hefei, in eastern China. With a population of 7.5 million, Hefei is the largest city in Anhui province and is known for expertise in science and technology.

Professor Palmer's course on the health economics of diabetes prevention and treatment was supported by the International Diabetes Federation and attracted students from nine institutions throughout China. Academics from the University of Melbourne also contributed to the teaching.

"We are very proud of the many partnerships we have with regions, institutions and industry in China," University Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen said. "It is the result of the enduring friendship between our University and China, which has existed over many years."

The course introduced participants to the basic concepts of health economics, leading to practical hands-on exercises including deriving costs, health utilities and life tables in diabetes populations and building simulation models using decision-analysis software.

"The course was run in English, with Chinese translation of key points by former Anhui student, Lei Si, who is now a PhD student in health economics at Menzies," Professor Palmer said. "With the help of our generous hosts at AMU the course was extremely successful, and we are now planning the next course for 2015."

Menzies researchers now supervise 25 Chinese PhD students at the institute in Hobart, with up to 10 more students likely to begin their research in 2015. The program of bringing Chinese students to Menzies began in 2011 and has grown quickly. They are enrolled across the Menzies research themes - population health, musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular health, neuroscience and cancer and genetics.

The enrolment of Chinese students is supported by a scholarship program funded by both Menzies and AMU. Menzies also has one PhD student enrolled from Southern Medical University (SMU) in Guangzhou, and a memorandum of understanding  for collaboration with SMU has been signed this year.

Professor Changhai Ding, a musculoskeletal researcher at Menzies and a former student of AMU, has been instrumental in building the research bridge with China. "Menzies has an excellent reputation for the quality of its medical research, which is essential in setting up links with Chinese universities," Professor Ding said.

"Our international students make a big difference to our research output and we are thrilled to be able to host them here. They are part of our contribution at Menzies to advancing medical knowledge that will make a difference wherever it is applied."

Lei Si has been a PhD Candidate in Professor Palmer's Health Economics Unit at Menzies for the past two years. "The staff here have been really helpful since the first day I joined. I have developed my personal skills by working with experts from different disciplines,'' he said.

"I enjoy the life in Tasmania, a State with such beautiful scenery, clean air and friendly people."

Pictured: Chinese students meet with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, Professor Peter Rathjen, and senior Menzies staff in May this year.

 

Information released by:

Miranda Harman

Marketing and Communications Manager

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

University of Tasmania

Phone: 61 3 6226-7751

61 427 199 562

Email:  miranda.harman@utas.edu.au

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