Aug 19 2020

The Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University of Medicine 1, Yangon (UM1) in Myanmar. On Monday, July 27, the ceremony took place in a web-conference format connecting the capital city Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Niigata with a view to preventing the novel coronavirus infection.

There were several attendees at the ceremony: Dr. Tin Tin Lay, the Director General, Department of Human Resources for Health, Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar, Prof. Zaw Wai Soe, the Rector of UM1 along with its four professors, Prof. Toshiyuki SOMEYA, the Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University, Prof. Atsushi OHAZAMA, the Director of Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences as well as three professors from the project for infectious disease in Myanmar, including Prof. Reiko SAITO, Prof. Akihiko SAITOH, Prof. Yugo SHOBUGAWA. Prof. Zaw Wai Soe, the Rector of UM1, delivered an address before the singing, mentioning the medical cooperation with Myanmar through efforts of Niigata University, and expressing his hope that exchange of researchers and students based on this agreement will further strengthen the bond between not only the universities but also Myanmar and Japan. Prof. SOMEYA, the Dean of Faculty of Medicine, introduced the exchange of research on health of the elderly between the Faculty of Medicine and UM1 since 2017, and stated that they will strive to work on the investigation into the novel coronavirus in Myanmar as international collaborative research, AMED, starting this academic year.

An online signing ceremony with overseas institution as our first attempt ended in friendly atmosphere as scheduled by taking a group photo with the attendees from Myanmar through the monitor.