Medical research pairing strengthened

Existing collaborations between the two partners are already bringing together scientists in the fields of regenerative medicine, public health and genetics research.

Recognising their complementary strengths, and the strong opportunities these bring for new research to lead to health improvements, both Universities have agreed to strengthen these ties through the creation of a formal partnership.

Our institutions have enjoyed successful collaborations for many years and I am delighted that we have formalised our joint objectives and shared goals. Expanding our linkages will bring significant benefits for medical and healthcare research, teaching and learning.
Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Edinburgh

Major new joint initiatives in the commonest diseases affecting people in northern Europe, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, infection, inflammation and degenerative brain disorders including multiple sclerosis are planned.

Training the next generation of research leaders will also be a focus for the partnership. This will be achieved by student and staff exchanges as well as joint provision of learning opportunities such as conferences, courses and workshops.
The alliance builds on a successful postgraduate student exchange that has been in place since 1999.

The University of Edinburgh and Karolinska Institutet have common interests and our respective strengths and complementarities can provide synergies of great value to both institutions. Formalising our joint efforts is one step in our current and planned collaborations in medical and healthcare research and education.
Professor Anders Hamsten, Vice-Chancellor of Karolinska Institutet

The Karolinska Institute is one of the world's leading medical universities. It accounts for over 40 per cent of the medical academic research conducted in Sweden and offers the country's broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences.

The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked in the world’s top 25 universities. Its world-renowned College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is the leading institution in the UK for research into human and animal medicine.

Both Scotland and Sweden have highly developed health systems and a tradition of outstanding public health and experimental medicine research. Bringing the two top medical universities from each nation together to address the most pressing health needs of our populations is rational. It promises to deliver improvements in health for both countries.
Prof Jonathan Seckl, Vice Principal for Research & Planning, University of Edinburgh

Source: University of Edinburgh