* International medical corporation・International research collaboration
(1) Center of International Collaborative Research, Nagasaki University (CICORN)
    CICORN was established April 1, 2005, as a new organization independent from the Faculties and administrative offices of the University. This is a distinctive organization which specializes in international strategy planning and project management of the University' s three major disciplines and the globally influential research subjects, "Tropical and infectious diseases" , "Radiation medical science" , and "Preservation of marine environmental resources" .
    It has already initiated the "Japan-supported Pacific immunization programme strengthening" and "The program for founding research centers for infectious diseases: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Center of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease, Vietnam" with grants from JICA and MEXT, respectively.
    Two strategy managers are the key players of the Center and are well versed in both research and administrative work. One, who worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Economic Cooperation Bureau until two years ago, is now a professor of Nagasaki University. He was engaged in medical support in developing countries and was also a specialist in international health sciences and a policy planner. Two other strategy coordinators play central roles in executing operations. The two are well experienced in dealing with all sorts of international cooperative projects arranged by the U.N. agency (WHO), JICA, and various NGOs.
    Assistants are also required deep knowledge on management and of the researcher' s viewpoint, and CICORN secures efficient personnel from temporary-employment agencies or consulting firms. CICORN also accepts staff from specialized agencies such as JICA, based on a framework agreement with them.
    The CICORN concept attracted the attention of universities throughout the country, and MEXT selected it as its "University International Strategy Headquarters Special Activities" for FY 2005.

(2) Medical support for the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident
    The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident occurred in the early hours of April 26, 1986. This was the worst nuclear accident in the history of mankind. It was a world-shaking disaster and affected not only contaminated areas but also the entire globe.
    The Nagasaki University School of Medicine launched direct aid to Chernobyl in May, 1991 and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, joined in medical examinations in the radio-contaminated areas spreading over the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine. Focusing on Chernobyl and its surrounding provinces, the School of Medicine examined 160,000 school children from 1991 to 1996 and gathered statistics on 120,000 of them. Results revealed that radiation-associated thyroid abnormalities, particularly childhood thyroid cancer, occurred in extremely high frequency in Gomel, Republic of Belarus. The School of Medicine has promoted joint study on "radiation-induced health effects" , an issue of international concern, with other overseas cooperative institutes, on the basis of continued medical assistance to Chernobyl, collaborative academic research, and technical cooperation for the improvement of health care services in the Semipalatinsk region, in order to make a contribution to society on a global scale.
(3) Research on monitoring the outbreak of infectious diseases after the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean
    Ten days after the Sumatra Tsunami disaster occurred on December 26, 2004, WHO addressed the problem that unless water and public hygiene were properly and adequately supplied to survivors, another 150,000 people could die from the spread of infectious diseases.
    In response to this appeal, the Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine immediately started the project, "Research on Monitoring the Outbreak of Infectious Diseases after the Tsunami in Indian Ocean" , to analyze infectious disease-related data and to evaluate the risk of prevalence in devastated areas. Starting a month after the catastrophe, the Institute conducted field survey in the damaged regions for two months with a subsidy for scientific research from MEXT.
    Upon completion of the investigation, the Institute submitted data and materials that were useful to the recostruction and recovery of afflicted areas. These materials are also useful in future disasters that could happen anywhere in the world. Having been able to provide technical support to developing countries through bilateral work with researchers of local universities is one good example of global-scale social action that the University is striving for.
(4) Overseas research base for tropical and infectious diseases The Nagasaki University concluded an agreement and a memorandum with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), which has been conducting joint study with the University for over 20 years, to establish in KEMRI the Nairobi Station for Research on Tropical Medicine. Laboratories and research equipment are presently under preparation for practicing exclusive field research. Sub stations are expected to be set up in neighboring states depending on the contents of the research education.
    Several Japanese staff members will be placed in the Nairobi Station over the long term to research major tropical infectious diseases, such as helminthic disease and AIDS, with the assistance of local researchers. The Station will also serve as a practical training ground both for young Japanese and African researchers, including postgraduate students. Nagasaki University will accept for training Kenyan researchers on JICA programs, and KEMRI will do the same for researchers of third countries.
    In Asia, emerging infectious diseases such as dengue fever, SARS, and avian flu appear almost every year. The University, therefore, established the Clinical and Epidemiological Research Center of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease in the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the most affected regions.
    The Center aims to scientifically search for the fundamental cause of these infectious diseases and new preventive measures at its P3 level laboratory with resident staff, together with research partners of NIHE and affiliated hospitals, facilities, and research institutes. Two Japanese professors, about 10 Japanese post-doctoral students or assistants, two Vietnamese teachers, three Vietnamese technical assistants, and one Japanese coordinator are stationed in this laboratory.


< ---HOME

Copyright© 1996-2006 NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY All Rights Reserved.