President MA Yanming meets with A*STAR Chairman Tan Chorh Chuan

On April 21, MA Yanming, President of Zhejiang University, met with a delegation led by Tan Chorh Chuan, Chairman of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The two sides held discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the commercialization of research outcomes, and jointly witnessed the signing of an agreement to establish a joint laboratory between the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs. The initiative will advance the development of the China–Singapore Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Infection Research and Drug Development.

MA Yanming extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced Zhejiang University’s latest developments as well as its innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. He noted that Singapore is an important partner in Zhejiang University’s global collaboration network. The joint laboratory with A*STAR, he said, will bring together the strengths of both sides in infectious disease prevention and drug development, promote scientific research collaboration, accelerate the translation of research outcomes, and contribute to public health in both China and Singapore.

Tan Chorh Chuan congratulated Zhejiang University on its achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized that research on infectious disease prevention is vitally important to the health and well-being of all humanity. By deepening cooperation in this field and jointly establishing the laboratory, the two sides will significantly enhance research and response capabilities in infectious diseases, injecting new momentum into global public health and human health initiatives.

During the meeting, LI Lanjuan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Lisa Ooi, Assistant Chief Executive of the A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council, signed the joint laboratory agreement on behalf of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, respectively.

During their visit, the delegation also toured the ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center to gain a first-hand understanding of Zhejiang University’s research platforms and the commercialization of its scientific and technological outcomes.

Also present at the related events were Vice President LI Xiaoming and representatives from the Office of Global Engagement, the Office of Sci-tech Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the China–Singapore Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Infection Research and Drug Development, and the ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center.

Source: Office of Global Engagement, Office of Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan Affairs
Translator: FANG Fumin
Editor: HAN Xiao