Semmelweis University has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), opening the door to opportunities for exchange and collaboration in education, training and research.
UMMS Chancellor Michael Collins and Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Services Gyöngyi Szabó visited Budapest on October 11-12 in order to formalise the agreement and discuss potential collaborative projects between the two institutions. The delegation was received by members of Semmelweis University’s senior leadership, namely Vice-Rector Ágoston Szél, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine László Hunyady, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Béla Noszál, President of the Doctoral Council Károly Rácz, and Director of International Relations Marcel Pop.
The introductory meeting preceding the signing ceremony featured a series of presentations, which provided an overview of each university’s educational, research and health care activities. Chancellor Collins emphasised that his hope is for this formal agreement to result in a meaningful exchange for both sides, allowing them to “assure that the science and art of medicine actually impacts our population and makes a difference in our world”. At the end of the meeting, Chancellor Collins and Professor Szabó had the opportunity to speak with some of the University’s medical and Ph.D. students as well.
The second day of the UMMS delegation’s visit consisted of a tour of some of the University’s institutes and clinical departments, including the 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research where Director András Matolcsy presented its 3D microscopy system and newly renovated lecture hall and autopsy room, the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine where the delegation was given an overview of some of its research and health care activities, and the Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology’s Nanobiotechnology and In Vivo Imaging Centre where Assistant Professor Szabolcs Osváth presented its cutting-edge imaging equipment.
The present agreement was preceded by over ten years of informal collaboration between UMMS’s Dr. Gyöngyi Szabó and Drs. Zsolt Tulassay and Béla Molnár, both from Semmelweis University’s 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, who worked together in the field of gastroenterology and Ph.D. training. Dr. Szabó has additional ties to Semmelweis University, having received the University’s Doctor Honoris Causa title in 2005.
Gina Gönczi
