EU Support to Students of the 9th HKU-Pasteur Virology Course

EU support to the students of the 9th HKU-Pasteur Virology Course and unfailing effort to train and nurture virologists of tomorrow must be praised, especially during this enduring financial crisis.

Four representatives of EU-funded networks ANTIGONE and PREDEMICS attended the course on Viral Zoonoses and their testimonial is available here:

• Ms Essia BELARBI (Institut Pasteur, France)

• Ms Gundrun FREIDL (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the Netherlands)

• Ms Livia PATRONO (Universita Padua, Italy)

• Ms Nidia TROVAO (KU Leuven, Belgium)

Livia, an Italian Doctor of Veterinay Medicine and PhD student is studying the mechanisms of transmission of avian influenza virus (H9N2) in pigs using swine respiratory explants. In Hong Kong, she had the opportunity to interact with experts in the field during the practical course organised by Dr Renee CHAN and Dr Michael CHAN. She was the recipient of a travel award generously offered by the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong and Macau and was welcomed by Mr Luca FRATICELLI, Consul.

Last but not least, the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau also offered a one-week trip to Institut Pasteur in Paris, France to the best student of the course, Ms Jana McCASKILL.

On behalf of the directors of the course and the students, we would like to thank again the EU and the Consulate General of France and Italy in Hong Kong and Macau for their generous support.

From left to right, Mr Luca FRATICELLI, Ms Livia PATRONO and Dr Roberto BRUZZONE