The Kirby Institute and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Singapore have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding that formalises the collaborative synergies and opportunities between the two organisations.
The agreement sets out the intention to collaborate on infectious disease research across a range of research disciplines, including immunovirology pathogenesis, surveillance activities, and biomedical interventions including therapeutic studies.
The two organisations are leaders in their respective countries, and share a common goal of understanding and minimising the impacts of bloodborne viruses, antimicrobial resistance and respiratory pathogens, including a major focus on COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness in each country and our region more broadly. Already, NCID and Kirby Institute have worked together via the global Strategies and Treatments for Respiratory Infections and Viral Emergencies (STRIVE) network, with Tan Tock Sen Hospital being one of the recruiting sites under the Sydney International Coordinating Centre, led by the Kirby Institute’s Professor Gail Matthews.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us, infectious disease control is best achieved through partnership and cooperation,” says Kirby Institute Director, Scientia Professor Anthony Kelleher. “We are thrilled to formally take forward this vision with our colleagues at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, I am hopeful that we can join forces to foster innovation, collaboration, and enhance infectious disease research within our countries and across our region.”
Executive Director of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Professor Vernon Lee says, “We are proud to partner a world-renowned institution like the Kirby Institute in strengthening our capabilities in infectious disease research and implementation science in topics such as respiratory infections, antimicrobial resistance and HIV. We are also looking forward to exchanging knowledge and information on disease control programmes through this partnership.”