The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Cambridge (UCAM), University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (HKJCCT) to promote vaccine research and global health initiatives, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJCGHI) on Wednesday.
The HKJCCT will support the HKJCGHI through one of their largest donations in history, aiming to advance vaccine research and development, particularly for pathogens of pandemic potential, while offering a robust training and education program for post-graduate students and future public health leaders.
Leveraging their respective strengths, the founding partners seek to establish a center specialized in vaccine process and platform development, epidemiology, immunology, health economics, and capacity-building.
With a commitment to strengthening pandemic preparedness and regional prevention and control of infectious diseases, HKJCGHI plans to bring the latest translational vaccine technology to Hong Kong and bolster local and regional vaccine industries.
“We are incredibly excited to join forces with the UCAM, HKU, and the HKJCCT to create a vital new hub for vaccine science and education,” IVI’s Board of Trustees Chairperson George Bickerstaff said. “The founding of the HKJCCT exemplifies a positive partnership between research, academia, and philanthropy coming together for the public good.”
IVI is grateful to the HKJCCT for the support and opportunity to participate in this essential effort, Bickerstaff added.
HKJCCT Chairman Michael Lee also said, “Hosted by the HKU and HKJCCT, will bring world-leading scientists and research teams from the IVI and the UCAM to Hong Kong to work on translational vaccine research.”
With vaccines being the most powerful means of disease control, HKJCGHI wants to become a platform for fostering collaboration and cross-pollination of cutting-edge technologies, Lee added.
IVI Director General Jerome Kim also expressed his joy.
“IVI is proud to collaborate with the UCAM, HKU, and the HKJCCT to create a global center at the cutting edge of vaccine R&D and training,” Kim said. “With an emphasis on translational research, public-private partnership, and capacity-building, HKJCGHI aims to advance the access and affordability of critical vaccine technologies ahead of future pandemics. We look forward to integrating the institute into the broader global health ecosystem.”