OALC

Prof. Fu Xiao Feng, Director of Major Research Program Division, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) visited The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) from 23 to 24 August 2012. Together with Prof. Joseph Sung, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and Mr. Zhang Xing Geng, Director of Hong Kong and Macao Office of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prof. Fu officiated at the establishment ceremony of CUHK- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH), CAS Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Participating guests also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment.

During the inauguration ceremony, Prof. Sung expressed his gratitude to MOST and CAS for supporting the joint initiative and stated that the establishment will provide a platform for collaboration between scholars of CUHK and GIBH to fully exploit the strengths in science and technology, fostering collaborative efforts and opportunities.

Prof. Fu took the opportunity to meet with senior members of CUHK including VC Prof. Sung; Prof. Jack Cheng and Prof. Henry Wong, Pro-Vice-Chancellors; Prof. Fok Tai Fai, Designate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Faculty of Medicine; and Prof. Gordon Cheung, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor. He also visited laboratories and research facilities to understand the latest research development of CUHK in epithelial cell biology, physics and earth science.

After the ceremony, Prof. Fu delivered a talk entitled "National Major Research Programme" for the China Links Seminar. Apart from giving an overview of the research development on the mainland, Prof. Fu introduced the major research programmes of the national 12th Five-Year-Plan and encouraged academic members of CUHK to take an active part. More than 170 academics from Faculties of Engineering, Medicine and Science, and research institutes attended the Seminar.

A 12-member delegation of GIBH led by Prof. Pei Duanqin, Director of GIBH paid visit to the University on this occasion and a symposium jointly organized by SBS and GIBH was held at CUHK. Representatives from both sides presented reports on their respective progress and accomplishment in stem cell research.

Scholars from the GIBH of CAS and School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) of CUHK have been collaborating closely during the past years. The establishment of the joint laboratory will further enhance the partnership between SBS and GIBH on stem cell research. The visit of Prof. Fu not only promoted academic exchange and enhanced communication between MOST and CUHK, but also provided valuable information for academics in CUHK to gain a deeper understanding of the major research programmes in Mainland China.