The HCM City University of Medicine  Pharmacy renews an MoU with AstraZeneca Vietnam Co., Ltd. on August 26 to promote the development of medical education and enhance scientific research capacity in 2024-28. — Photo Courtesy of AstraZeneca Vietnam

HCM CITY — The HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on August 26 renewed their memorandum of understanding (MoU) for promoting medical education and research for the 2024-28 period.

It seeks to churn out a high-quality healthcare workforce that will support the development of Viet Nam’s healthcare system.

Under the MoU, first signed for 2020-24, the two sides will foster training and research in the fields of healthcare and evidence-based medicine, work for continuing medical education (online and/or face-to-face) extending to basic science spheres such as evidence-based practice, genetic counseling, molecular biology, pathology, and health economics.

They will enhance the capacity of lecturers, postgraduate researchers and medical personnel to do research.

They will support the publication of research results in prestigious international journals.

Through training and nurturing a skilled research team, they will have more research published in international scientific journals.

Ngo Quoc Dat, vice principal of the university, said the first phase of collaboration between the two sides in 2020-24 achieved remarkable outcomes, particularly in research and human resources training.

This is a successful model of academia-industry collaboration, which enables the transformation of scientific knowledge into practical applications, he said.

“With the strong existing foundation, the next phase of collaboration will continue to thrive, bringing even more value to Viet Nam's healthcare sector."

Atul Tandon, general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, said the company is committed to driving scientific advancements to deliver innovative healthcare solutions that positively impact individuals and society.

“By enhancing the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals and fostering R&D capabilities, we are laying a solid foundation for Viet Nam's healthcare system to develop sustainably.”

Since 2020 the two sides have organised short-term courses in genetic counselling, molecular biology and pathology, training 72 oncologists and 20 pathologists from nearly 20 leading cancer hospitals.

Some 30 research articles have been published in prestigious medical journals.

Intensive training courses in research proposal writing, publishing and presentation at health science conferences have been held regularly, benefiting more than 515 doctors and postgraduate students. — VNS