(Shanghai) Governor Dave Heineman led several meetings today with Nebraska companies and medical officials to promote stronger economic and educational collaborations. The Governor is in China on the first leg of a trade mission that will also take him to Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan.

The Governor met with Chairman Cen Furong of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade of Shanghai (CCPIT) today to discuss trade opportunities with Nebraska, and later facilitated meetings between Shanghai government officials and Nebraska business representatives.

This afternoon, Governor Heineman witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM). The agreement helps further collaboration on biomedical research and education efforts through an exchange program for students and faculty at these two institutions.

The university leaders plan to develop a joint MD/PhD program, allowing students to take classes toward their medical degree in Shanghai and perform research for the post-doctoral degree in Omaha. A joint-degree program for nursing will also be developed.

Participating in the signing ceremony were Dr. Xiaoming Shen, Minister of Education in Shanghai, Dr. Jie Zhang, President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, SJTUSM President Dr. Zhenggang Zhu, and Dr. Thomas Rosenquist, UNMC Vice Chancellor for Research.

“In our global economy, collaboration is key to successful economic growth,” Governor Heineman said. “This agreement will help advance the academic partnership between two leading medical universities, and will help ensure a stronger partnership in the area of education and biomedical research between Nebraska and China.”  

The agreement reflects an ongoing commitment to collaboration between UNMC and SJTUSM. The first agreement was signed in 2004 by then-Governor Mike Johanns.

Objectives of the joint program include: increasing the scope and quality of education and research programs at both universities in all scientific and educational disciplines; providing increased opportunities for faculty and students to develop international collaborations; and facilitating additional opportunities for cultural, educational, scientific and business partnerships between Shanghai and Nebraska.

Following the signing ceremony, the Governor and trade mission member Dr. Vikas Padhye with Teledyne Isco, met with Wang Weiren, Vice Director of the Shanghai Water Authority.

Vice Director Wang is responsible for authorizing the use of technology and products for Shanghai’s water infrastructure. Teledyne Isco is a Lincoln-based manufacturer of instruments that measure the flow and quality of wastewater. The company employs approximately 300 Nebraskans and commands 65 percent of the worldwide water samplers’ market share.

The Governor was also joined by Gerald Annis of Chief Automotive Technologies, Inc., in meeting with Mr. Qui Jianhua, President of the Executive Management Institute of the Ministry of Transportation.

The company is a Grand Island-based information technology manufacturer of collision repair equipment. It employs approximately 150 Nebraskans and is in the midst of a global expansion program, having been selected to provide computerized laser measuring systems for collision repair to China that will be integrated into vocational education programs.

CONTACT:
Patty Wood 402-471-1559