December 31, 2012
The first oral health research centre between a North American university and a hospital in Southeast Asia has been opened by UBC Dentistry in Vietnam today.
The centre is a partnership between the National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology in Ho Chi Minh City and the Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, in Vancouver.
The oral health research centre presents a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge between visiting dentistry residents, UBC faculty, Vietnamese scholars, dental students and general dentists.
The opening ceremony, attended by over 200 people including Deborah Chatsis, Canada’s ambassador to Vietnam, other Canadian diplomats as well as Vietnamese officials, was followed by a two-day program of educational exchange by professors from UBC.
Drs. Markus Haapasalo, Catherine Poh, Charles Shuler, Michele Williams and Edward Yen, all professors from UBC Dentistry, presented continuing dental education topics in oral cancer, orthodontics, endodontics and oral biology to their Vietnamese colleagues as well as foreign visitors. Full education program available here >>
Proud of cooperating with UBC, Dr. Lam Hoai Phuong, director of the National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, sees tremendous value in the exchange of knowledge between people from the Canadian and Vietnamese institutions.
At the opening celebration of the UBC Dentistry & National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology Oral Health Research Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on December 13, 2012, from left to right: UBC Dentistry professors Drs. Markus Haapasalo, Leandra Best, Catherine Poh, Christopher Zed; Ms. Deborah Chatsis, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam; UBC Dentistry professors Drs. Michele Williams; Charles Shuler, Dean, and Edward Yen.
UBC Dentistry represents a significant link to improve oral health internationally. The establishment of a research centre for oral health, in partnership with the Vietnamese government, its universities and national hospital, strengthens service learning opportunities for UBC students and faculty and results in capacity building for Vietnam to teach, develop and apply high standards in oral health.
“An expanded presence of UBC Dentistry in Vietnam increases the quality and impact of its research and scholarship and underscores the Faculty as a world leader in knowledge exchange and mobilization,” says Dr. Charles Shuler, dean of UBC Dentistry.
As an international hub for knowledge transfer and learning, the UBC Dentistry & National Hospital of Odonto-Stomotology Oral Health Research Centre establishes a solid framework for sustainable collaboration in education and research between Canada and Vietnam.
“This partnership is a game changer for global health research and education,” says Dr. Christopher Zed, associate dean, Strategic and External Affairs and Head, Postgraduate and Hospital Programs.
Additional partners such as the World Health Organization and both North American and Southeast Asian universities are sought.
Centre aims to develop original evidence-based research and clinical trials in oral/facial oncology (cancer and HPV), cariology (cavities and tooth decay) and developmental biology (cleft lip/palate) and other growth and development diseases.
Notable attendees at the opening included:
- Government of Vietnam officials including representatives from the ministries of Health and Education;
- Deborah Chatsis, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam;
- Audri Mukhopadhyay, Consul General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City;
- Nadin Nanji, Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner for Canada in Ho Chi Minh City;
- Phung Anh Tuan, Honorary Consul General of Finland in Ho Chi Minh City;
- Charles Shuler, DMD, PhD, Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia;
- Robert D. Sindelar, PhD, Dean and Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia;
- Christopher Zed, DDS, MBA, Associate Dean, Strategic and External Affairs and Head, Postgraduate and Hospital Programs, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia.
Background information
UBC partners with Vietnamese hospital to create $8M oral health research centre
English media release (UBC News Room)
Đại học British Columbia hợp tác với bệnh viện Việt Nam để thành lập trung tâm
nghiên cứu sức khỏe răng miệng
Vietnamese media release (PDF)
UBC Dentistry & National Hospital of Odonto-Stomotology Oral Health Research Centre
Information booklet (PDF)
UBC Dentistry partners with Vietnamese hospital
News item in UBC Dentistry’s Impressions magazine
Location
National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology
Fourth Floor , 201A Nguyen Chi Thanh Street
Ward 12, District 5 , Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Google map
Media contact on site (until December 13, 2013)
Jane Merling
Director of Development
Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia
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+1-604-822-5886