Chinese Officials Learn of Strathclyde Bioengineering

25 June 08

High-profile visitors from the Chinese Embassy in London have been learning about the advances being made in Bioengineering at the University of Strathclyde.

Academics and researchers displayed their work in fields such as organ and tissue engineering, medical devices and rehabilitation research. The visit included a tour of the Strathclyde Institute for Medical Devices, based in the University's Bioengineering Unit, to discuss research in the field.

The party from the Embassy consisted of Dr Wang Baoqing, Minister Counsellor for Science and Technology, Cao Zhouhua, First Secretary for Science and Technology and Tong Wei, First Secretary of the Science and Technology Division.

Their visit was prompted by the launch earlier this year of UK/China Research Academy of Bioactive Molecules and Materials (RABMM), an initiative for international collaboration in research. This venture, involving Strathclyde's Bioengineering Unit and other partners, has proved to be highly successful and this week's visit offers the prospect of further collaboration between Strathclyde and universities in China.

Professor Terry Gourlay, of Strathclyde's Bioengineering Unit, said:

"We have been looking to develop collaborative links with the centres in Cambridge and the Universities in China which are also partners in RABMM and which are all highly active, as we are, in bioengineering."

"The initiative has taken off exponentially since it began and it has created tremendous interest. We aim to take it even further forward and we hope that this visit will help us towards this goal. The interest which has been shown by the Chinese Embassy is very significant and we feel privileged that they have come to see us."

After seeing the Bioengineering Unit, the Chinese Delegation met the University of Strathclyde's Principal, Professor Andrew Hamnett.

Source: www.nexxusscotland.com

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