“Friendship, partnership and collaboration, are all important elements we cherished at the present and in the future”, remarked Prof. Rocky S. TUAN, Vice-Chancellor and the President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong at the opening of the Monash-CUHK PhD Exchange Virtual Symposium 2021 held on 28 Sep 2021.

Encountering the difficulties ensued from lockdowns and the pandemic, we never stand still but draw on the existing advantages and resources and to be proactive in making any possible changes and endeavors in keeping the humanities going. In this challenging era, there is a common vision for researchers, teachers and students, to work hard for research and young minds should be cultivated for a better place and better future.  

Prof. Andrew CHAN (left) and Prof. Nellie GEORGIOU-KARISTIANIS (right)

Therefore, the Virtual Symposium was organized again this year with the participation of establishing and budding scientists in the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular and diabetes, with a view to keeping the research community connected and as the platform showcasing the scientific achievements and stimulating the synergistic partnership amongst the existing and new academic scholars from both CUHK and Monash.   

Presentations were given by 10 PhD students co-supervised by CUHK and Monash PIs, namely Quoc Duy TRAN , Hai-Xing WANG, Jiacheng LIN, Ho Ying Zoe WAN, Xiaoyu ZHAO, Ilze DONDERWINKEL, Xue ZHANG, Peter LEE, Clara MARQUINA HERNANDEZ and Jairo Arturo PINZON CORTES.

Followed by the discussion session in 3 thematic areas and schemes in stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular and diabetes co-chaired by Professors Peter CURRIE, Gang LI, Danny LIEW, Anna BLOCKI, Kathy LUI, with talks given by Professors Jose POLO, Huating WANG, Louis CHEUNG, Danny LIEW, David C. ZEBROWSKI, Kathy LUI, etc., exploring further collaboration opportunities and inspiring the participants with novel and innovative ideas.  

Row 1: Prof. Jose POLO (1st from the left), Prof. Huating WANG, Prof. Louis CHEUNG
Row 2: Prof. Danny LIEW (1st from the left), Prof. David C. ZEBROWSKI, Prof. Kathy LUI

We may also wish to take this opportunity in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to all the Principal Investigators, supervisors, speakers, students involved in this exchange program for their brilliant work and effort they exerted.

See you all in 2022!

Program rundown can be viewed HERE.