On the eve of Hong Kong’s historic transition from British governance
to Chinese rule, the medical schools of the University of British
Columbia and the University of Hong Kong and their affiliated teaching
hospitals today announced a major new research and education partnership.
The two medical schools will collaborate on an extensive program
of research and
education in diseases of the heart and brain, the greatest causes
of death and disability in advanced societies on both sides of the
Pacific.
The collaboration, to be known as the Pacific Education and Research
Liaison in Cardiovascular Research and Neuroscience (PEARL), was
announced in Vancouver by UBC Dean of Medicine Dr. John Cairns and
HKU Dean of Medicine Prof. S.P. Chow. The agreement was announced
in Hong Kong last month.
PEARL is the most comprehensive collaboration entered into by either
school and sets the stage for highly productive new research initiatives
between the two Pacific Rim centres of expertise. The teaching hospitals
involved include St. Mary’s in Hong Kong, and Vancouver Hospital
and Health Sciences Centre, B.C.’s Children’s Hospital and St. Paul’s
Hospital in Vancouver.
“The partnerships will build on the common ties of business and
family between Vancouver and Hong Kong,” Cairns said. “PEARL will
be supported by an active and ongoing exchange of people — scientists,
students and practising specialists — as well as by high-speed
electronic and telecommunications links. It promises both universities
and their affiliated teaching hospitals an opportunity for research,
cultural and economic growth.”
Both partners see this collaboration as a vote of confidence in
a strong future for Hong Kong as a part of the People’s Republic
of China, and in a strong and fruitful relationship between Vancouver,
Hong Kong and China, he added.
Research will help in the search to develop new therapies for neurological
disease and disorders such as stroke, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s disease. The cardiovascular collaboration will investigate
blood vessel and heart muscle diseases.
Education will also play a key role in PEARL. Joint training of
undergraduates, post-graduates and post doctoral fellows will be
offered, as will exchanges. Exchange of expertise in hospital-based
care will also be possible.
Another important component of PEARL is community outreach. Plans
include public seminars and newsletters to assist the public in
disease prevention and control.
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