The JC School of Public Health and Primary Care (JCSPHPC) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) successfully hosted the CUHK-NUS Joint Symposium on the Future of Infectious Diseases with the Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme (IDTRP) at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the National University of Singapore (NUS) on 5 February 2026.
The full-day symposium convened leading scientists and academics from both institutions and served as a dynamic platform to explore research and strategies poised to shape the future of infectious disease prevention, treatment, and surveillance.
Professor Samuel Wong Yeung-shan, Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Medicine, CUHK, and Director of JCSPHPC, underscored the critical need for regional collaboration. “This Symposium embodies the kind of cross-border scientific alignment needed not only to respond to threats, but to anticipate and prevent them,” said Professor Wong. “By combining our institutions’ expertise, we can build a strong scientific corridor in Asia, advancing infectious disease research from discovery to real-world impact.”
Professor Wong also announced the establishment of OPEN – the One, Planetary and Eco Health Nexus at JCSPHPC, to advance the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems by serving as a dynamic hub for transdisciplinary research, education, and global collaboration. “To truly predict and prevent, we must adopt a One Health approach that integrates laboratory science with surveillance, environmental insight, and community action,” he said.
Professor Roger Foo, Vice Dean of Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, highlighted the shared mission of enhancing pandemic preparedness and fighting antimicrobial resistance. “We absolutely recognise the high-impact work that you are all doing for our region, our societies, and our economies,” said Professor Foo. Professor Foo also hoped that the Symposium would “pave the way for even more collaborations between ourselves to tackle these problems jointly together.”
Professor Hein Min Tun, Associate Director (Global Engagement) of JCSPHPC, emphasised the significance of cross‑institutional and cross‑border cooperation. “The global health challenges we discussed today cannot be solved alone; they demand a global and holistic approach, interdisciplinary research and collaboration with different universities in the region,” said Professor Tun. “A clear message from today is that infectious diseases remain a dynamic and evolving threat that needs to be overcome via interdisciplinary collaboration. We look forward to more innovative and insightful collaborations that will create a greater impact for our communities and the world.”
The Symposium featured stimulating presentations and panel discussions led by distinguished guest experts, including Professor Chuanbin Mao and Dr Christopher Lai from CUHK; Associate Professor Yunn Hwen Gan, Associate Professor Sylvie Alonso, Associate Professor Niranjan Nagarajan, Associate Professor Justin Chu, Associate Professor Chris Sham, Dr Yassine Cherrak, Dr Youjia Zhong, and Dr Chee Wah Tan from NUS. The robust dialogue testified to a shared commitment to translating scientific innovation into tangible health solutions against infectious diseases.
