Listen
Scotland and China
07/04/2009
Chinese health professionals are to learn from Scotland's leading medical experts under a pioneering new partnership unveiled today.
The collaborative training programme between NHS Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, China's Ministry of Health and Chinese pharmaceutical giant Asiapharm will further boost educational and commercial ties between the two nations.
The move builds on a major pharmaceutical research deal between Asiapharm and an Oban-based marine biotechnology company sealed during a trip to China by Ms Hyslop last year.
The medical training scheme for hospital managers and pharmacists in China - funded by the Chinese partners - will see:
- The University of Edinburgh helping to design courses and providing lecturers to train China's next generation of pharmacists and hospital management executives
- NHS Scotland providing guidance, monitoring training programmes and co-ordinating lecturers from other Scottish institutions to support the programme
Speaking from Shanghai, Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
"This government recognises how important international links are to our economic recovery plan for Scotland and forging stronger ties with China in education, science research and business will benefit us both.
"Scotland has a proud history of medical research and innovation - from the pioneering use of chloroform to the development of penicillin - and we are committed to maintaining our position as a global leader in life sciences.
"This training programme - which represents a major investment in Scotland's medical expertise - will see hundreds of senior managerial and medical staff from hospitals across China learning from Scotland's excellence.
"We already have constructive life science links with China, which I witnessed first hand last year when a major pharmaceutical research partnership was forged between firms from our countries.
"Today's collaboration - which again includes one of those business partners - is another exciting opportunity for us to strengthen links and share successes to boost our economies."
The scheme - run by the Health Human Resources Advanced Training Centre (HHRDC) under the direction of China's Ministry of Health - will initially see two training programmes taking place in Beijing and Shanghai in 2009.
From 2010 it will be rolled out to other cities across China, establishing a regular training platform to promote Scottish medical excellence to the developing Chinese healthcare industry.
HHRDC Assistant Director General Dr Junhua Zhang, who joined Ms Hyslop for today's announcement, said:
"This collaboration is a great opportunity for both Scotland and China in terms of advancing hospital and pharmacist training. I am confident that the knowledge and expertise of our Scottish medical colleague's will directly impact the quality of our hospitals and improve patient safety.
"In turn, the Chinese medical community is keen to share its experience and knowledge with the Scottish medical community and this project further strengthens our growing cooperation with Scotland."
Jack Perry, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said:
"We are delighted to support this initiative which demonstrates the importance of developing long term educational and commercial relationships between Scotland and China in key sectors.
"Asiapharm, one of China's most innovative life sciences businesses, is an ideal partner for Scotland and this programme will be an invaluable platform for further collaboration with Chinese companies in this important area."
Also today in Shanghai, the Education Secretary attended the signing of a groundbreaking partnership between Shanghai University's College of Digital Arts - the first such dedicated faculty in China - and the University of Abertay, Scotland's Centre of Education in Computer Games Education.
Commenting on that visit Ms Hyslop said:
"Helping to position Scotland at the forefront of new technologies is key to ensuring we keep pace with global industries.
"Abertay University already has a formidable reputation as the UK's leading university in computer games and creative arts and this collaboration with Shanghai University - one of China's leading research institutions - can only increase its standing.
"The partnership will help students broaden their learning and equip them for a competitive workplace, which is crucial in these tough economic times. This is another fantastic example of Scotland and China working together to improve the lives of all our people."
Ms Hyslop witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of China, Chinese pharmaceutical company Asiapharm, the University of Edinburgh and NHS Scotland today.
Academics from the University of Edinburgh's medical and business schools will visit China to give lectures and the institution will help with course content and design. NHS Scotland will also provide guidance and monitor the programme.
Last year Asiapharm began a drug development collaboration with Oban-based marine biotechnology company Glycomar.
Ms Hyslop also witnessed the signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Shanghai and Abertay universities which will see students from Shanghai visiting Dundee as part of their studies from September 2010. There will also be scope for Abertay students to visit China in the future.
The University of Abertay the UK's first ever university centre of excellence for computer games education.
Shanghai University's College of Digital Arts is the first dedicated faculty of its kind in China yet already has significant links with the film and digital media industry in the country.