The efforts of one of world’s most respected animal biosecurity experts were recognised recently with a prestigious award in China.

Emeritus Professor John Edwards was presented with the prestigious West Lake Friendship Award by the Governor of Zhejiang Province.

This award is bestowed biannually to outstanding foreign experts who promote the development of Zhejiang Province, and is the highest honorary award issued in the Province.

Professor Edwards has worked in China for more than 20 years with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other international and Chinese agencies to help prevent and control emerging infectious diseases.

His work on building capacity for veterinary epidemiology has been key to slowing the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever.

Professor Edwards said he was honoured to receive the award from Zhejiang Province, calling it one of China’s leading and most innovative provinces.

“The award is another success for the longstanding Sister State relationship between Western Australia and Zhejiang Province,” he said.

“The award also recognises Murdoch University leadership in the fields of epidemiology, biosecurity and One Health.

“I hope the award will help strengthen the relationship between Murdoch University and Zhejiang A&F University (ZAFU), and create further opportunities for joint programs on education, research and postgraduate studies.”

Building international partnerships

Professor Edwards has been active in the development of research relationships between the two Universities.

Along with the successful development of a joint articulation program in Animal Science now offered between Murdoch University and ZAFU, the two institutions have launched the Australia-China Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics.

This laboratory is building a database of animal health in China and will provide practical solutions to the Chinese animal husbandry industry through scientific analysis.

Professor Edwards is currently working with staff of the ZAFU laboratory on a project to enable Zhejiang Province to protect its livestock and human populations by using One Health approaches to identify, prioritise and manage key risk pathways from emerging infectious diseases.

Caption: Zhejiang Province Vice Premier Ms Wenxu Wang awards the Westlake certificate and medal to Emeritus Professor John Edwards.