Vanessa Lam
13 July 2015: University of Canberra Bachelor of Medical Science student Blair Ney has been selected by the ACT Government as one of only two local students to take part in the Canberra-Shenzhen Innovation Intern Exchange Program.
Already in Shenzhen for the two-month exchange, Mr Ney has had the opportunity to participate in the ACT Government's activities to strengthen the Canberra-Shenzhen relationship by taking part in Chief Minister Andrew Barr's recent trade delegation.
"It was a great experience," Mr Ney said of this event. "I had never done anything quite like it before. It was interesting to get an insight into the differences between the Australian government and Chinese governments in regards to how they relate to their business, people and practices."
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UC medical science student Blair Ney is in Shenzhen for an internship exchange program with Shenzhen Hightide Biopharmaceutical Ltd. Photo supplied
The 22-year-old has also now begun his internship with Shenzhen Hightide Biopharmaceutical Ltd, a bio-pharmaceutical company that focuses on developing innovative therapeutics for conditions including diabetes, antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and cancer.
His work with the company has been focusing on defense against tuberculosis and together they have also been forming a plan that will highlight the most pragmatic way forward for the company.
The Canberra local is also the president and co-founder of the China-Australia Scientific Association, which aims to encourage Sino-Australian scientific exchange and collaboration. He said he hopes his time in Shenzhen will help the development of the company.
The exchange program he is on aims to bring together future leaders from both cities to create long-term collaborative relationships and is the first education outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Canberran and Shenzhen governments last year.
During his free time away from his internship, Mr Ney has also been getting to know Shenzhen.
"It is a very well-planned and beautiful city with a lot of greenery. I've have been exploring the city, I really enjoy going getting lost in side streets and going off the beaten track."
Mr Ney will graduate in September, saying he has enjoyed his time at the University, especially the atmosphere and sense of community.
"UC seems to attract a lot of down-to-earth, humble and friendly individuals. I have found the University to be a very easy place to study, I always looked forward to doing work at UC because I was surrounded by excellent people," he said.
