Hong Kong health partnership agreed

The University has concluded an agreement with the Hong Kong Government.

The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on researchers from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, and will encourage more exchange programmes and increased knowledge transfer with animal health professionals in Hong Kong.

The signing took place at a two-day workshop at the Hong Kong Science Museum. A wide range of topics were discussed, with an overarching theme of One Health - the concept that human and animal medicine are inextricably linked, with research outcomes which are applicable to more than one species.

Film

In this short video, conference delegates describe Hong Kong’s particular health challenges and explain how Edinburgh is helping to address them.

Wide-ranging discussion

Topics under the microscope were diverse. They included an examination of how biotechnology can be used to combat infectious diseases in production animals; how new medical techniques are being used to preserve endangered wildlife; why gene technology could hold the key to diseases like Avian Influenza; and how vitamin D levels in cats and dogs can be an indicator of a range of complaints.

The University of Edinburgh is carrying out pioneering work in the emerging discipline known as One Health – the idea that human and animal health are closely aligned. Recent advances in genomic technologies, cell and molecular biology, and bioinformatics are transforming our field. Major challenges facing the world’s population need grand visions. By working closely with our partners in Hong Kong, we aim to achieve these.

Hong Kong and Edinburgh

Hong Kong is important to the University of Edinburgh, with more than 300 students from the city currently studying at Edinburgh. This includes more than 30 students at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

The University’s representatives visit several times a year to give presentations and meet with potential students. More information on these can be found by clicking on the links below.