The day-long event brought together distinguished researchers, public health experts, policy leaders, and government dignitaries to reflect on two decades of groundbreaking vaccine studies and public health contributions. The scientific sessions highlighted impactful research outputs in pneumonia, typhoid, immunisation schedules, invasive bacterial diseases, and COVID-19.
Key presentations included the impact of PCV schedules, TyVAC and TyVOID studies, the DIAMONDS project, and the role of respiratory disease surveillance. Attendees also heard from longstanding collaborators such as Professor Shrijana Shrestha, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, and Professor David Murdoch, who shared insights on how the OVG-PAHS partnership has helped shape national and global immunisation policies.
“Over the past twenty years, our collaboration has evolved into a model of true academic partnership built on a shared vision, combining international scientific expertise with local relevance and commitment,” said Professor Shrijana Shrestha, Principle Lead, Paediatric Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences. “Together, we have generated data on the epidemiology of childhood infections, the burden of vaccine preventable diseases, and the immunogenicity and impact of vaccines, like pneumococcal and typhoid conjugate vaccines.”
Reflecting on the beginnings of the collaboration, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, stated, “On initiating the programme of work in 2005, we had no idea that we would be here 20 years later, celebrating those years. Many of our staff from Oxford have been welcomed to Patan over the past 20 years as colleagues, friends and collaborators, and have been enriched by the kindness and generosity with which they have been met, for them too in career affirming experiences.”
The inaugural session featured remarks from notable dignitaries including Nepal’s first President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, WHO representatives, the Mayor of Lalitpur, and the Minister of Health and Population. Their presence underscored the significance of the collaboration in improving child health and informing evidence-based vaccine policy in Nepal and beyond.
The celebration concluded with a cultural program and dinner, reaffirming the strong ties and shared vision between OVG and PAHS. As both institutions look ahead, the partnership remains committed to advancing vaccine research that benefits children and communities worldwide.
The day-long event brought together distinguished researchers, public health experts, policy leaders, and government dignitaries to reflect on two decades of groundbreaking vaccine studies and public health contributions. The scientific sessions highlighted impactful research outputs in pneumonia, typhoid, immunisation schedules, invasive bacterial diseases, and COVID-19.
Key presentations included the impact of PCV schedules, TyVAC and TyVOID studies, the DIAMONDS project, and the role of respiratory disease surveillance. Attendees also heard from longstanding collaborators such as Professor Shrijana Shrestha, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, and Professor David Murdoch, who shared insights on how the OVG-PAHS partnership has helped shape national and global immunisation policies.
“Over the past twenty years, our collaboration has evolved into a model of true academic partnership built on a shared vision, combining international scientific expertise with local relevance and commitment,” said Professor Shrijana Shrestha, Principle Lead, Paediatric Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences. “Together, we have generated data on the epidemiology of childhood infections, the burden of vaccine preventable diseases, and the immunogenicity and impact of vaccines, like pneumococcal and typhoid conjugate vaccines.”
Reflecting on the beginnings of the collaboration, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, stated, “On initiating the programme of work in 2005, we had no idea that we would be here 20 years later, celebrating those years. Many of our staff from Oxford have been welcomed to Patan over the past 20 years as colleagues, friends and collaborators, and have been enriched by the kindness and generosity with which they have been met, for them too in career affirming experiences.”
The inaugural session featured remarks from notable dignitaries including Nepal’s first President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, WHO representatives, the Mayor of Lalitpur, and the Minister of Health and Population. Their presence underscored the significance of the collaboration in improving child health and informing evidence-based vaccine policy in Nepal and beyond.
The celebration concluded with a cultural program and dinner, reaffirming the strong ties and shared vision between OVG and PAHS. As both institutions look ahead, the partnership remains committed to advancing vaccine research that benefits children and communities worldwide.