The George Institute and Peking University formalize partnership

The George Institute and Peking University Health Science Center sign MOUAfter eight years of collaboration and friendship and two years of negotiations, The George Institute for Global Health and Peking University Health Science Center officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently at the Peking University campus.

Taking place at the Office of International Cooperation on the Peking University campus, the signatories were Professor Ke Yang, Executive Vice President of Peking University and Peking University Health Science Center and Professor Robyn Norton, Principal Director of The George Institute for Global Health. After signing the MOU, The George Institute will be renamed The George Institute for Global Health at Peking University Health Science Center to illustrate the affiliation.

The MOU signing ceremony is part of the celebrations for the 100th Anniversary of Peking University Health Science Center and represents a vision for the future for both Peking University and The George Institute.

“We are absolutely thrilled to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Peking University Health Science Center. This has been a major goal for The George Institute not just in China but as a global organisation,” said Professor Robyn Norton, Principal Director of The George Institute for Global Health.

“Signing this MOU benefits more than just these two organisations – it will benefit the people of China and potentially millions of others around the world suffering from chronic diseases. This is what motivates the work of both The George Institute and Peking University Health Science Center and we look forward to working together on the globe’s most pressing health issues.”

The signing of this MOU is the result of a long and rigorous process which is expected to foster increased international collaboration between Peking University and colleagues from around the world through The George Institute’s existing network and across a diverse range of research projects. Signing the MOU will open up additional funding and research opportunities in China for The George Institute and will help the Institute continue to expand in future years.

“The signing of the MOU between both organisations represents a long-term commitment to a healthier China now and in the future,” said Professor Yangfeng Wu, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health, China.

The George Institute for Global Health and Peking University have a strong history together. The China International Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, one of the 11 Centers of Excellence funded by the National Institute of Health and UnitedHealth Group in the USA, and the Peking University Clinical Research Institute were established through a collaboration between both organisations. These Centers are working to address the most pressing health issues in China and around the world such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and injuries.

The MOU signing ceremony was followed by the Third Peking University Child and Adolescent Health Symposium, jointly hosted by the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health and The George Institute for Global Health at Peking University. Local and international experts in adolescent health discussed ongoing and future work to ensure a healthy future for the children of China.