Melbourne Genomics and the University of Melbourne jointly welcomed a recent visit by Professor Akane Kondo from Shikoku Medical Centre, and Professor Numabe from Tokyo Medical College.
Central to the three-day visit was establishing links with genomics professionals in Melbourne, with a view to facilitating placements for Japanese genetic counselling students, commencing in 2018.
The professors met with genomics leaders from across the Alliance: Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne Health and the University of Melbourne. They witnessed one of the Alliance’s variant review meetings in action, and attended a number of presentations – including from Associate Professor Tiong Tan and Dr Zornitza Stark on work from Melbourne Genomics’ paediatric clinical projects, and from University of Melbourne Master of Genetic Counselling students.
‘The visit provided a wonderful opportunity to increase links between Melbourne and Japan. We really valued the opportunity to exchange knowledge with our Japanese counterparts, and see similarities and differences in how genomics is integrating into healthcare,’ said Dr Jan Hodgson, Program Director of the University of Melbourne Master of Genetic Counselling and Master of Genomics and Health.
Professor Kondo thanked everyone in Melbourne for ‘your very kind support’. She noted: ‘Japan often looks to the US for international linkages, but our visit to Melbourne has highlighted the importance of relationships closer to home. We look forward to sending our first students to Melbourne next year, and to increasing our exchange of people and information over time.’
[Image: Clara Gaff (centre) welcomes Professor Kondo and Professor Numabe to Melbourne.]