The Cardiff University - Peking University Cancer Institute
Summary
Following Cardiff University's national award,
recognising it as the UK's leading international
research collaborator, the prize brought the
Albert Hung Scholarship Programme and
Cardiff’s
ground-breaking
collaborative
medical research projects with China to the
fore. In light of this national recognition,
Cardiff University and Peking University have
agreed that the time is right to develop their
partnership further and establish a joint
research institute.
The new institute will consist of two
designated research centres, one located at
each university and will provide a true home
and state-of-the-art facilities for its leading
cancer specialists and elite students to
collaborate more effectively and provide an
environment in which to enhance the
significant advances already achieved in the
joint fight against cancer.
To expedite matters and signal a clear commitment to this next phase in this exciting
research partnership, Cardiff University has agreed to invest nearly £5 million over the next
five years. Support is also being sought to continue to develop the scholarship opportunities
for China’s elite students.
The Universities
Peking University is over a hundred years old and is China's leading university, frequently
cited in the top 50 of the world's leading institutions. It is one of the top 5 Higher Education
Institutions in Asia and its research, teaching and international activities are recognised
worldwide for their excellence.
Some of China’s leading cancer experts work at Peking’s University Hospital. With more
than 1,000 beds and dedicated to the treatment of cancer, research, teaching and policy
making, it is one of the largest facilities of its kind and is ranked No.1 in China for the
treatment of the top 6 cancers
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Cardiff University has two Nobel Prize winners, including its current President, Professor
Sir Martin Evans, Nobel Laureate for Medicine in 2007 for his work in embryonic stem cells.
Cardiff’s School of Medicine is the University’s largest school and is the only medical school
in Wales providing full curriculum medical education and is one of the leading hubs in
medical research in the UK recognised as a world leader in many medical specialties
including cancer research.
Cancer research at Cardiff University is carried out at the Schools of Medicine, Bioscience
and Pharmacy and encompasses all the core specialties including: clinical trials; cancer
metastasis; molecular diagnosis; imaging; cancer stem cells and anti-cancer compounds.
Recently, the School of Medicine established the Institute of Cancer and Genetics to
promote an integrated systemic approach to cancer research and clinical delivery. The
School of Medicine also has one of the best operated cancer banks in the UK.
The Cardiff University and Peking University Partnership
Medical links between Cardiff and Peking have been ongoing for almost two decades,
beginning with the visit of the first Peking Visiting Fellows in 1985, who have since become
academic leaders in their specialist areas of cancer research.
These important initial steps have, over time, led to a series of successful collaborative
cancer projects further strengthening the universities joint commitment to work closer
togeher.
In 2007, to capture the rapid and significant medical progress made and to formally
acknowledge the universities close partnership more formally, a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) was signed in Peking by the Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, Dr
David Grant and the Executive Vice-President of Peking University, Professor Yang Ke.
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The first official visit by Cardiff University to Peking University Health Scientific Centre.
The picture was taken shortly after the signing of the first MoU in April 2007.
Since the signing of the MoU, exchanges and collaborations between the two institutions
have accelerated on all fronts. To date, Cardiff has welcomed eight Peking Fellows to its
specialist research facilities, who have undertaken vital research in lung cancer, breast
oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. It should also be acknowledged
that all these Fellows were supported by the Albert Hung China Medical Scholarship Fund.
Once the scholarship programmes were successfully completed, all the Fellows returned to
Peking University to continue their careers, their research and share their knowledge with
their colleagues. To date, they have jointly published 15 research papers and received 2
national grants and 2 local government grants to continue the research work originally
developed at Cardiff. It should also be noted that three of the Fellows received their PhD
doctorates in recognition of their novel research projects they conducted whilst at Cardiff
University.
High level academic exchanges between the universities continued to grow and have been
complemented further by visiting lectures, research strategy meetings and seminars. It was
the result of these discussions that Cardiff University welcomed a delegation from Peking
University in January 2012. The delegation included the Director of Peking University cancer
Hospital, the dean of Peking’s School of Oncology and the Director of Peking University
Cancer Research Centre.
It was during the visit, that a new MoU was signed and colleagues from both universities
began to explore the idea of creating a joint research institution to advance the collaborative
successes and to more effectively develop the joint medical research programmes in the
areas of cancer treatment and diagnosis.
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The signing ceremony of the renewed MoU, Jan 2012
The significant benefits that such an institute would create were clear and so both parties
agreed that a new joint research facility should be established.
The Institute
It has been agreed that the new institute will be known as the:
‘Cardiff University - Peking University School of Oncology Joint Institute’
Dedicated space has been identified at both universities to accommodate the two centres
and both single and joint studentship programmes at PhD, MD and Masters level will be
created. In the future, it is also the intention to establish joint undergraduate opportunities
that will provide students with the opportunity to study at both universities.
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Proposed calendar of achievement
Operation of the Joint Centres
The Patron: It is suggested that a Patron is appointed to promote the work of the institute
and provide a steer in fundraising activities. The Patron is also expected to have a strong
interest in international, in particular Sino-UK relations.
Governing body: The Institute will be governed by a Board and chaired by a Governor
external to both universities.
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Operations: The joint Institute will be managed by a management team, comprising a
Director, Deputy Director(s), Chief Scientists, Chief Clinicians, and senior manager(s).
The proposed governance, management, interaction of the joint venture.
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Immediate research theme and projects
The initial research projects and strategies will focus on the following research themes:

Endocrine related cancers: namely breast cancer and prostate/urological cancer.
Both centres have significant expertise in these fields and have been identified as a
strength on which to build further.

G-I cancers: Peking is the national centre for gastric cancer research in China and
UK has recently launched its drive into colorectal cancer research. Cardiff and
Peking have started its collaboration in gastric and colon cancer since 2011. This will
also be a leading theme to develop.

Lung cancer: Lung cancer is the major killer in both countries and has been on top
agenda in cancer research and treatment in both countries. Cardiff and Peking have
been collaborating in this area since 1999 with some exciting discoveries.

Tumour banking:This is related to the first three lines but goes well beyond. Cardiff’s
tumour bank and Peking tumour bank will collaborate by providing support to each
other’s collection and to each other’s research.
It is expected that specific projects under these themes will be drawn up soon with existing
joint research projects, such as those listed below will be undertaken at the centres under
the auspices of the new Cardiff University - Peking University School of Oncology Joint
Institute.

Tumour suppressors MTSS1, GDF9a and VEGI in human prostate and kidney
cancers: the molecular, cellular and clinical implication. Partly funded by China
Natural Science Foundation, the two universities have been collaborating since 2008.
This study has entered the second phase: looking for small peptides and therapeutic
implications.

Cell death associated proteins, DAP and WISP in human gastric cancer. Started from
2010, the initial phase study is about to conclude with some fascinating results
(manuscripts to be submitted in 2012).

Prognostic value of iASPP and BMPs in human lung cancer. This is a lasting
collaboration for the past decade. Again supported by the China Natural Science
Foundation, Beijing Municipal Government and Peking University, this study
continues to flourish.
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
Tumour banking: via collaboration, Cardiff has already conducted series studies on
samples from Peking’s cancer bank, namely lung, oesophageal and gastric cancer.
The prognostic implications of these banking materials and data will be explored.
Joint applications for funding
The two centres will apply to the funding bodies in the UK, EU and China, led by the
respective theme leaders in the respective countries. It will also actively engage with industry,
individuals and charitable organisations.
Investment and scholarship support
It has been agreed that, in order for the centres to achieve their ambitions and establish the
Joint Institute at the earliest possible date, institutional investment is essential. This funding
will provide the infrastructure and, critically, the Fellowships to allow the exchange of
scholars and staff between the two centres. Investment in estate and key facilities are also
vital.
Scholarship support
It is planned that the newly created Cardiff University - Peking University School of Oncology Joint
Institute, will provide the impetus to expand the Albert Hung China Medical Scholarship Programme
further and attract philanthropic support to provide China’s leading cancer research specialists with a
unique international learning and research experience. During the first year of operation, both
institutions are seeking scholarship investment of approximately £100,000 each per annum with an
initial commitment of 5 years.
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