February 21,2024

Hokkaido University (HU) delegates, including President Houkin and Professor Iwabuchi of International Affairs visited University College Dublin (UCD) from 20th to 21st February in 2024. This was the first visit to UCD with the aim of further developing strategic research partnerships. Professor Suzuki from the International Institute for Zoonosis Control (IIZC) also attended as a HU delegate, as he has been collaborating in the field of tuberculosis research with UCD’s Professor Gordon (School of Veterinary Medicine) for the last 10 years.

On the first day, the HU delegates attended a Veterinary Medicine Seminar. Professors Suzuki, Gordon and Dr. Barry, Director of UCD One Health Centre gave presentations to share an overview of the progress of research collaborations. Professor Suzuki focused on the history of our collaborations and the establishment of our Institute, as well as the future plan for our institute and the new HU research entity, the Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD). They also discussed potential expansion of collaboration, the expectations of doctoral students, and early career researcher cultivation and common research interest pursuit as One Health. Following the presentations,Professor Gordon took our delegates on a tour of the laboratories and facilities of the UCD Veterinary School.

The following day, a signing ceremony was held to renew the Memorandum of Understanding for Institutional and Academic Cooperation between UCD and HU. Site tours were also conducted of the National Virus Reference Laboratory and the Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research organized by Professor Hall from the UCD Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases. It is expected that this visit will lead to further research development and a deepened relationship between the two Universities.