The MOU commits to the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition delivering a one-day continuing education symposium to Shanghai DeChi Industrial staff twice in 2019, as well as further events in 2020.
Earlier this week, 70 nutritionists from Shanghai DeChi Industrial visited Massey’s Auckland campus and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition.
Members of the large Chinese nutrition and supplement company were welcomed on to the campus with a powhiri, before hearing speeches from Agribusiness New Zealand chairman Conor English, Shanghai DeChi Industrial chief executive Gang Li and College of Health Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane Mills.
The MOU commits to the school delivering a one-day continuing education symposium to Shanghai DeChi Industrial staff twice in 2019, as well as further events in 2020. The next symposium will be hosted on the Auckland campus on September 10.
Professor Mills says the University and Shanghai DeChi Industrial have many interests in common, and there will be mutual benefits from continued collaboration and cooperation.
“Knowledge exchange in many diverse contexts is more important than ever. We need to look beyond our immediate surroundings to develop and promulgate solutions to solve the big health challenges facing our nations and the world,” she said.
“This MOU commits us to work together more closely towards our common goal – the pursuit of education and professional development in the important field of nutrition and dietetics. It will allow more and better exchange between organisations, educational institutions and individuals improving and shaping the health and wellbeing of our communities.
“I am confident that through our efforts and commitment, we will be able to achieve more and be able to continue to develop even stronger relationships and friendships between the people of China and New Zealand,” Professor Mills said.
Associate Professor Pamela von Hurst and Dr Cath Conlon presented lectures on a variety of topics, including nutrients for bone health, fussy eating in young children, nutrients for brain development and vitamin D in pregnancy and infancy.