UNMC signs agreements with Chinese institutions

Gov. Mike Johanns, standing second from left, witnesses the signing between Shanghai Second Medical University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Signing for UNMC is Vice Chancellor for Research Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., seated at the far right, and Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance Don Leuenberger, seated second from left.

Gov. Mike Johanns announced Thursday from Beijing, China, that three agreements have been signed during his trade mission to establish education, research and patient care partnerships with the UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center.

“Medical research should not be limited by geographical boundaries,” Gov. Johanns said. “The three agreements signed this week help to ensure that the University of Nebraska Medical Center continues to be a leading research institution. The resulting partnerships will also likely increase diplomacy in other arenas as interest in the global market increases among Nebraska business and industry leaders.”

“This is a collaboration of students and faculty that will enliven both institutions and provide opportunities for the exchange of new knowledge,” said Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor for business and finance, during a conference call from China. “It’s a significant step forward for our institution.”

Nizar Mamdani, executive director of UNMC’s International Healthcare Services, signs an agreement on behalf of UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center in cooperation with officials from the Central Hospital of China National Petroleum Corporation in HeBei, Beijing, China. Watching the proceedings is Gov. Mike Johanns, who served as witness.

An agreement signed Thursday between UNMC and the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (GSCAS) in Beijing opens the door to discussions about establishing a joint graduate program between the two universities in biomedical-related studies, including the fields of cancer biology, genetics and neuroscience. The partnership will involve faculty exchanges and student internships as a way to develop collaborative research projects and to further the graduate training programs of both campuses.

Another agreement, also signed Thursday, establishes a partnership between UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and the Central Hospital of China National Petroleum Corporation in Beijing to exchange medical information and education among their staff and institutions. Specific areas of interest include cancer treatment, bone marrow transplantation and radiology. UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center hope to become a referral resource for Central Hospital of China patients who seek medical care in the United States.

“UNMC has tried to extend its experience in cancer and transplantation worldwide,” Leuenberger said. “We offer to train transplant teams from other countries. In return, it provides us with patients (from these countries) and brings in additional revenue.”

A third agreement signed Monday (June 14) in Shanghai will create an exchange program between UNMC and Shanghai Second Medical University. The program will allow the two institutions to collaborate on biomedical research, education and patient care. The program also will facilitate other cultural and business partnerships between the greater communities of Shanghai and Nebraska.

“Shanghai Second Medical Center is a big, vibrant and growing center that is ranked among the finest in China,” said Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research at UNMC. “We are fortunate indeed that the leaders in Shanghai are very interested in this interaction with UNMC, and have pledged their support. Medical education, research and patient care will benefit on both sides. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for us to grow internationally.”

Agreements with U.S. and Chinese academic institutions are “very rare,” Leuenberger said.