CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY DELEGATION VISITS AND EXCHANGES EXPERIENCES AT UNIVERSITIES IN TORONTO AND VANCOUVER, CANADA

University of Guelph

The University of Guelph is one of Canada's leading public universities, renowned for life sciences, agriculture, food, and public health. The university has strong applied research capabilities with a modern laboratory system and an extensive global cooperation network. The delegation visited and learned about several units, such as the Food Innovation Research Centre, the Health Sciences and Nutrition Research Centre, a Model Pharmacy, and the McLaughlin Library—a multidisciplinary resource center with a robust digital research system. This visit opened prospects for research collaboration in nutrition, biomedicine, and public health between the two parties.

 

The delegation visited the McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph

 

The delegation visited the Nutrition and Food Research Centre at the University of Guelph

 

 

The delegation visited the Food Innovation Research Centre and the Health Sciences and Nutrition Research Centre

The delegation visited the model drug distribution system at the University of Guelph

 

 

University of Toronto (UofT)

The University of Toronto is a prestigious institution ranked among the top 20 universities in the world. It is a leading center for training and research in medicine, health sciences, biotechnology, and innovation. The University of Toronto is the site of breakthrough research, including the discovery of insulin—a medical finding of global significance that opened a new era in diabetes treatment. Here, the delegation received an overview of the organizational model for training, research, international cooperation programs, and the potential for developing exchange links for students and postgraduate researchers.

At the University of Toronto, the Faculty of Medicine receives significant interest and resource support from private donors. Notably, the Temerty family generously donated 250 million CAD to the Faculty of Medicine, contributing significantly to the construction of modern facilities for teaching and scientific research. This is an excellent model for mobilizing external funding to develop facilities and conditions for teaching and research at the university.

The delegation took a photo in front of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

 

University of British Columbia (UBC)

Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the world's leading public universities. UBC has two main campuses, the Vancouver Campus and the Okanagan Campus, covering over 400 hectares and possessing a green, modern, and smart academic ecosystem. UBC offers multidisciplinary training ranging from Medicine, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Engineering, Natural and Social Sciences, Economics, and Education to Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The university has over 70,000 international and domestic students and an extensive research network with more than 300 laboratories and many interdisciplinary academic centers.

The delegation took a souvenir photo with UBC students

During the visit, the CTUMP delegation toured the library, lecture halls, laboratories, student dormitories, and sports areas. The delegation was particularly interested in the governance model of closed-loop facilities serving student learning and mental well-being, the residential security and health systems, digital learning resource platforms, and solutions for optimizing open learning spaces.

The delegation listened to students introduce UBC and student life

 

Ms. Miku Yamada, Assistant at the International Exchange Student Admissions Department, discussed training programs and facilities

 

 

 

 

The delegation visited the campus and library

 

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Simon Fraser University is the #1 multidisciplinary university in Canada and ranked 12th in the world for innovation. Here, the delegation visited and worked with the High-Throughput Screening (HTCB) Research Centre, the Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Health Sciences

At the HTCB Centre and the Department of Chemistry, the delegation was received by Prof. Roger Linington—a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and Director of the HTCB Centre—who provided an overview of the laboratory’s main research directions. Focus areas include the discovery and development of "hit-to-lead" structural frameworks for drug development ; screening new compound groups for antibacterial and anti-cancer activity ; developing chemical probes to clarify the functions and mechanisms of biological targets ; and determining the mechanism of action of compounds. Prof. Roger also guided a tour of the modern high-throughput screening technologies at the Centre.

The delegation expressed interest in cooperating through activities such as exchanging research experience, sharing scientific data on active ingredients, and discussing research on natural active ingredients specific to the Mekong Delta. They also discussed visiting lectureships and inviting professors to international scientific conferences.

The meeting took place in an open and productive atmosphere, helping both sides to better understand each other's potential, strengths, and development directions. Sincere and goodwill exchanges from both sides contributed to building a positive relationship, creating a solid foundation for future cooperation in training, scientific research, and academic development.