2012-04-28

In another effort to strengthen international collaboration and advance medical research, SUMC and University of Manitoba have joined hands in the field of mental health sciences with the recent establishment of a joint lab in Shantou. Utilizing mutual strengths and research experience, the SUMC-Manitoba Joint Lab of Biological Psychiatry is set to become an international base for clinical research in talent cultivation in the area of biological psychiatry.

On 19 April, a visiting delegation from the University of Manitoba was warmly welcomed in Shantou by several senior representatives of SUMC and the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Together, they visited the Shantou University Mental Health Center, where they were hosted by the director of the center, Prof. Qingjun Huang, and Party Secretary, Yao Xitao.

The following day, 20 April, saw the formal opening ceremony of the joint SUMC-Manitoba Joint Lab of Biological Psychiatry at the Shantou University Mental Health Center.

A keynote address was held by the Manitoba delegation leader, Prof. Patrick Choy, who presently serves as Special Advisor to the President and Medical Dean of Manitoba University, followed by speeches by Dean Jiang Gu of SUMC and Director Huang.

An official plaque was unveiled for the new joint lab after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the mutual ambitions and concrete actions to establish a longstanding and fruitful partnership. Dean Gu then awarded honorary professor titles to the Manitoba delegates Prof. Fiona Parkinson and Prof. Thomas Klonisch. In addition, contracts were signed with Prof. Xining Li and Prof. Jiming Kong from University of Manitoba, who will serve as part-time lecturers of the psychiatry-related majors taught at SUMC.

The opening ceremony was followed by an academic conference on biological psychiatry in which experts from Manitoba, SUMC and several other Chinese universities participated.