A new initiative will bring Australian and Chinese researchers together in a structured program designed to deepen collaboration, enhance shared research\u00a0capability\u00a0and support emerging scientific talent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The WEHI-China Health Research Network will connect researchers through joint activities that promote knowledge exchange, build enduring scientific relationships and enable the co\u2011development of projects to address global health challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The new network has been\u00a0established\u00a0through the support of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At a glance\u00a0<\/p>\n
The WEHI-China Health Research Network\u00a0brings\u00a0together leading and emerging researchers to strengthen biomedical research capability\u00a0in the region.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Four joint symposia\u00a0in\u00a0Hong Kong, Hangzhou,\u00a0Beijing\u00a0and Melbourne\u00a0will\u00a0facilitate\u00a0collaboration and\u00a0knowledge exchange,\u00a0while\u00a0a competitive PhD exchange program\u00a0will\u00a0nurture and\u00a0develop future scientific leaders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations,\u00a0the\u00a0initiative\u00a0will enable\u00a0sustained\u00a0partnership\u00a0to\u00a0tackle shared health challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Accelerating progress on priority regional health challenges\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through a series of collaborative symposia and shared research training opportunities, the WEHI-China Health Research Network aims to accelerate progress on pressing health challenges that affect communities across the Asia-Pacific region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Over four years, the initiative will deliver hybrid research symposia in\u00a0Hong Kong, Hangzhou,\u00a0Beijing\u00a0and Melbourne (2029).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
These events will bring together leading and emerging researchers to share\u00a0expertise\u00a0and spark\u00a0new\u00a0collaborations\u00a0in clinical immunology, global\u00a0health\u00a0and drug discovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WEHI director Professor Ken Smith said the initiative\u00a0reinforces the long\u2011standing scientific ties that underpin research across\u00a0the\u00a0region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about developing the foundations for discovery \u2013 deep collaboration, mutual learning and the training of exceptional young scientists who will shape the future of biomedical research,\u201d Prof Smith said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWEHI has\u00a0been engaging\u00a0with leading\u00a0researchers and\u00a0institutions in China\u00a0for over three decades, and\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0seen how\u00a0fostering\u00a0opportunities for\u00a0connection\u00a0and dialogue\u00a0can spark\u00a0new ideas\u00a0and\u00a0drive meaningful progress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe establishment of the\u00a0WEHI-China Health Research Network\u00a0takes our\u00a0shared\u00a0commitment to the next level.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Developing the next generation of scientific leaders\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Central to the new initiative is a competitive PhD exchange program supporting up to 12 students to undertake\u00a0collaborative\u00a0research placements at partner institutions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Participants will gain hands\u2011on experience\u00a0and training,\u00a0cultural\u00a0immersion\u00a0and joint supervision from both WEHI and Chinese\u00a0laboratories.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These students will\u00a0showcase\u00a0their work at the final Melbourne symposium and will join an alumni network designed to foster long-term links in biomedical research.\u00a0<\/p>\n
National Foundation for Australia-China Relations CEO\u00a0Nancy Gordon\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cAustralia is a world leader in medical research. We take pride in the fact that breakthroughs made in Australia bring better health to people all over the world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Foundation is supporting platforms like the WEHI-China Health Research Network which strengthen important exchanges between Australian and Chinese researchers and universities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cProjects like these enable us to turn the miracle of discovery into treatments and technology that change \u2013 and save \u2013 lives. And the personal connections forged become generational and cultural links between our institutions and the next generation of medical researchers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Building on years of collaboration\u00a0<\/p>\n
WEHI\u2019s long history of engagement with institutions in China includes Master and PhD programs, as well as an internship program called InSPIRE, that with the support of the Foundation has brought over 150 outstanding students from leading universities across China to undertake intensive research training at WEHI and partner institutes in Melbourne.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The new\u00a0initiative\u00a0is led by\u00a0Professor Ivo Mueller,\u00a0laboratory head and\u00a0co-head of the Infection and Global Health division at WEHI.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding on this strong foundation,\u00a0the WEHI-China Health Research Network\u00a0will\u00a0expand\u00a0our\u00a0collaborative footprint\u00a0and\u00a0offer a fresh framework for\u00a0deepening engagement\u00a0with long\u2011standing Chinese partners,\u201d Prof Mueller said\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cImportantly, in addition to hosting Chinese researchers at WEHI, we will for the first time also\u00a0support research placements for WEHI students with Chinese partner institutions.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The WEHI-China Health Research Network is supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Participating institutions:\u00a0Snow Centre for Immune Health, Tsinghua University,\u00a0Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immune Therapy,\u00a0Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Westlake University, Chinese University of Hong Kong,\u00a0University of Hong Kong<\/p>\n