British Columbia, India partner to improve public health

New Delhi, Dec 5: The Simon Fraser University will help India produce research pioneers and public health professionals; and combat infectious diseases, thanks to two agreements signed today as part of Premier Gordon Campbell's mission to Asia.

"I am proud that a B.C. institution like Simon Fraser University will be a major part of helping to improve public health research and training in India," said Campbell. "There are numerous such opportunities for B.C. to forge mutually beneficial relationships in advanced education, trade, and technology. I applaud SFU for building this connection, and look forward to seeing the positive results of their partnership."

The two agreements are:

* Between SFU and the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), a publicly and privately funded organization that is developing seven Institutes of Public Health in India (IIPHs). With 50 million dollars from the Bill Gates Foundation, the PHFI is partnering with leading universities worldwide to train future faculty for the IIPHs. SFU is the only Canadian partner.

* Between SFU, the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, to develop collaborations in the area of bioinformatics and infectious diseases, beginning with malaria and tuberculosis. The DBT will match SFU funding of 100,000 dollars per year on a project related to infectious diseases.

"It's an opportunity for SFU to participate in an international partnership that will see our Master's of Public Health students get practical training and our faculty develop collaborative research programs in India," said SFU president Michael Stevenson.

As the first Canadian university to partner with India in the Future Faculty Program, SFU joins the ranks of several prestigious international partners that have signed similar Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). They include John Hopkins University, Emory University, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

In addition, Malaspina University College signed three MOUs today in New Delhi for collaboration on international education opportunities with Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, the University of Delhi, and Apeejay Institute of Technology.

ANI
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