Prof. Peiyu Wang, International Relations and Research Expert, from China’s prestigious Peking Health Science Center in Beijing, has visited Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus for the signing of a new agreement with Griffith Health on the development of a set of practical, evidence-based programs and services, to address public health concerns in China, and across the Asia Pacific region.
The signing ceremony was appropriately hosted on Griffith’s Gold Coast campus which adjoins a unique Health and Knowledge Precinct, including a new $150 million Griffith Health Centre and $1.76 billion Gold Coast University Hospital.
Complementary to Griffith’s well-established presence in the Asia Pacific, the Peking Health Science Center, selected Griffith for its strengths across a number of health areas and in particular to aid in the development of a new, comprehensive Public Health model for the Nation.
“Essentially this partnership forms the basis of a bilateral program of assistance for the health sector in China,” said Prof. Allan Cripps, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health), Griffith University.
“It will draw upon the benefits of each institution’s programs, collaborative links and industry, to build workforce capacity in China in the fight against respiratory and infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and mental health issues.
“The solutions found through this collaboration will also be a unique and beneficial lesson to the Australian health care system; we can learn from our colleagues at Peking based on their strong links with Government and their ability to influence national policy in preventive medicine and health.
“It will also increase our joint capacity and reputation in public health research globally, and see our students and staff welcome the opportunity to work together with Peking on a multi-disease international health project with China’s No. 1 University,” he said.
As the partnership develops, and in order to maintain and enhance the collaboration, both Griffith and Peking University Health Science Center will allocate a significant portion of funds over a period of three years to cover a number of exchange fellowships/PhD scholarships; the facilitation of applications for grant schemes to support priority-driven public health research; joint forums and workshops; and to collaborate with local, state, national and international health entities to gain further support for this significant partnership.
Griffith University has had a long history of engagement with Peking University and first partnered with Beijing Medical University in 1996 (which later became part of elements of Peking University’s Faculty of Medicine) in 1996 for scholarly exchanges and teaching collaboration.
Since that time, there has been a range of cooperative activities between the two institutions that have enabled their ongoing professional association, and not only at the institutional level, but also between two Nations as significant partners in Health education and research development.
“Health is one of the key sectors supported by the Australian government in working toward an improved health status for people in China and the development of an effective national health system,” said Prof. Cripps.
“Griffith’s partnership with the Peking Health Science Center builds on this and we are most sincere in our efforts and looking forward to working with them,” he said.
Prof. Peiyu Wang, International Relations and Research, Peking University Health Science Center with Prof. Allan Cripps, Pro Vice Chancellor (Griffith Health).
Ms Gayle Murray, Manager, International Relations; Prof. Tony Perkins, Head of School of Medical Science; Prof. Lyn Griffiths, Director, Griffith Health Institute; Dr Jing Sun, Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics, Griffith School of Public Health; Prof. Allan Cripps, Pro Vice Chancellor (Griffith Health); Prof. Peiyu Wang, International Relations and Research, Peking University Health Science Center; Prof. Ros Sorensen, Head of School of Public Health; Prof. Patrick O'Leary, Head of School of Human Services and Social Work; Prof. Lewis Adams, Academic Staff, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science; Prof. Debra Henly, Dean, Academic, Griffith Health; Mr Mark Avery, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health; Dr Glen Ulett, Senior Lecturer, School of Medical Science.