Marcus Butler
3 March 2016: Behind the hustle and bustle and the bright lights of Shanghai, researchers at the Fudan University's Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre study infectious disease and for a second year º£½ÇÉäÇø students will be invited into the labs to see how they operate.
In 2015, ten medical science students accompanied professor of microbiology Reena Ghildyal to Shanghai for a two week study tour, funded through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's New Colombo Plan scholarships.
Professor Ghildyal said the students stayed at Fudan University and gained a very close view of student life and culture in China.
"During the visit the students spent time at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre, which is the premier infectious disease hospital and research centre in Shanghai and one of the best in China," Professor Ghildyal said.
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UC students look on as Dr Xiaonan Zhang (seated in lab coat) demonstrates molecular techniques at the Sino-Australian Joint Laboratory for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease Research. Photo: Supplied
"We were introduced to level-three biosecurity labs in China, where scientists work with potentially lethal bacteria, parasites and viruses which may be treatable, but still a serious risk."
Professor Ghildyal jokingly pointed out that the opportunity exposed students to the work culture in research labs, but that was definitely all they were exposed to.
"Having gained experience in clinical labs, hospital environments and research labs, the students took part in a cultural workshop and spent a weekend in downtown Shanghai," she said.
"For the University's medical science students, being placed in high-pressure laboratory environments and participating in research presentations about the latest infectious disease research in China is invaluable experience."
Professor Ghildyal said the students remain in contact with the friends and contacts they have made at Fudan.
"That is one of the important steps for young medical scientists, to build relationships with other scientists, to share experience, challenge each other and to create a really enjoyable career.
The º£½ÇÉäÇø has received New Colombo Plan scholarship funding from the Federal Government for a second tour, which will be departing in the coming months.
The closing date to apply for all Winter Term scholarships is 11 March 2016. To find out more about overseas study opportunities, visit the Study Abroad website.