UWS researcher receives accolade for Chinese Medicine research

Alan Bensoussan receives award

Professor Alan Bensoussan with Wang Guoqiang, Vice-Minister of Health and Commissioner (Director General) of State Administration of TCM and Li Yong, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs

University of Western Sydney researcher, Professor Alan Bensoussan, has been recognised for his global impact on the clinical study of Chinese Medicine with a prestigious award from the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) in Beijing.

Professor Bensoussan received the International Award for Contribution to Chinese Medicine at a special ceremony in the Great Hall of the People on 29 June 2013.

The International Award for the Contribution to Chinese Medicine is the only world-wide prize in Chinese medicine awarded by the Chinese Government.

The prize is awarded every 1 to 2 years to groups or individuals who have made outstanding achievements in medical treatment, teaching, research, legislation, or have made a special contribution to the international dissemination of Chinese medicine.

Professor Bensoussan says he is deeply honoured to receive the Award.

“For over 25 years I have had the privilege of working with some of the world’s best Chinese Medicine practitioners and researchers,” says Professor Bensoussan, who is Professor of Chinese Medicine at UWS.

“As a scientist, it is very exciting to be able to apply scientific analysis and conduct rigorous clinical trials to uncover the secrets of Traditional Chinese Medicine which has been practised for thousands of the years.
“Chinese medicine holds tremendous promise to help the world tackle some of the most challenging and costly chronic health concerns of the 21st century.”

Three prizes were awarded this year and Professor Bensoussan is the only recipient based outside the People’s Republic of China.

Ends

11 July 2013

Contact: Paul Grocott, Senior Media Officer

About the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies
The World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) is an international academic organization with 195 Chinese medicine societies in 57 countries and regions. It is devoted to promoting the understanding of Chinese medicine worldwide and fosters academic cooperation and exchange.  WFCMS is approved by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.  Its current Chairman is Ms. She Jing, Former Vice-Minister of Health and Former Director of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

About Professor Alan Bensoussan
Professor Bensoussan has been in clinical practice for 25 years and is an active researcher, attracting funds from leading agencies including the US National Institutes of Health and the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council.

Currently, Professor Bensoussan is Director of the UWS Centre for Complementary Medicine Research (CompleMED) and of the National Institute of Complementary Medicine also based at UWS.

Under the leadership of Professor Bensoussan, CompleMED has grown to become Australia’s premier research centre for the safety, efficacy and use of complementary medicine, with a special focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Australian Research Council’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2012 assessed CompleMED and NICM research as ‘well above world-class’ – the highest rating.  The University of Western Sydney was the only organisation to receive this rating in complementary medicine.

Professor Bensoussan has forged a broad network of links with national and international organisations within government and industry, including major collaborative research projects with key institutions in China.

His work has also contributed to the development of clinical trial protocols for Chinese medicine, and improved Chinese medicine practitioner and product regulation in Australia.

By submitting a comment you acknowledge you agree with the Terms and Conditions.