UCL and NUS jointly host virtual neurobiology symposium

On 2, 9 and 15 July 2020, UCL and the National University of Singapore (NUS) hosted the NUS-UCL Virtual Neurobiology Symposium to identify scientific synergies and explore the potential for future collaborative projects.

The event was co-organised by Professors Giampietro Schiavo (Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UK Dementia Research Institute) and Claudio Stern (Pro-Vice-Provost for South East Asia and Australasia) on behalf of UCL, and Professors Tuck Wah Soong and Barry Halliwell on behalf of NUS.

UCL has a longstanding history of collaboration with Singapore and NUS is one of UCL’s key partners in South East Asia. Neuroscience is a well-established area of research collaboration between the two universities.

The symposium welcomed an impressive number of scientists at all levels of career progression from UCL and NUS working in neurodegeneration and aging. Around 100 individuals attended each of the three sessions.

The sessions featured presenters from both universities and opening remarks were given by Professor Deenan Pillay, UCL Pro-Vice-Provost (International) and Professor Chen Tsuhan, NUS Deputy President (Research & Technology).

In his welcome address, UCL’s Professor Deenan Pillay said: “The global nature of the current pandemic demonstrates that international collaboration is vital to addressing major societal challenges. This three-day programme, involving world-leading scientists from NUS and UCL, shows how partnerships can continue to deliver impact, even during a period of remote working. I look forward to seeing the projects that I am sure will come out of the three days of discussion.“

Professor Chen Tsuhan, Deputy President (Research & Technology) at NUS said: “I am delighted to see this symposium come to fruition after a number of years of discussion between colleagues at UCL and NUS. NUS truly values its partnership with UCL and initiatives like this are an excellent way to deepen the links between our two world-leading institutions. This symposium showcases the excellent quality of research at both universities and we hope it is the first of many more to follow.”

Building on the success of the symposium, the UCL Global Engagement Office is planning to launch a seed funding scheme in the autumn to support a series of follow-up visits to NUS to promote bilateral scientific collaborations and further consolidate the partnership, once travel restrictions due to COVID-19 are lifted.

Further information

• UCL Biosciences
• UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
• UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL
• Professor Claudio Stern
• Professor Giampietro Schiavo

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