Oxford University Builds A IDR 10.1 Trillion Center For Pandemic Studies

Research illustration. (National Cancer Institute/Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Oxford University, England plans to launch a science study center to anticipate future pandemics. The construction of this study center reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Center for Pandemic Studies is planned to consist of the main institute, which will bring together interdisciplinary knowledge from academia, industry, and public health agencies.

The coronavirus pandemic provides lessons, the need for approaches and handling, as well as more collaborative anticipation and preparedness to anticipate a pandemic.

The University of Oxford said the study center's mission was to ensure the world is better equipped to create global and equitable science-based solutions to prepare for, identify and counter future pandemic threats.

Later, the study center will be able to collect real-time data on pathogens and patients and make this information globally accessible.

In addition, this study center will later translate research into real-world solutions through digital tools, diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.

Research illustration. (ThisisEngineering RAEng/Unsplash)

To realize this study center, the university plans to raise 500 million pounds, or around IDR 10.147.965.740.000 from philanthropists, governments and global companies.

Oxford University Professor of Medicine Sir John Bell said the Center for Pandemic Studies would 'uniquely' address the threat from emerging infectious diseases.

"Another highly pathogenic virus carries 35 to 50 percent mortality. Imagine if we had a pandemic where one in three infected people died. By investing in sound science today, we can help maintain resilience, global economic stability, and health security for generations to come", said Prof Bell, cited from The National News, Friday, May 28.

"We are ready to take on our vision to build on this foundation, to ensure communities are more prepared and agile to respond to future threats".

Meanwhile, Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Louise Richardson said the coronavirus pandemic had demonstrated the unique contribution of research universities such as Oxford to pandemic preparedness.

"We are developing decades of medical research on infectious disease and data science. We have longstanding international partnerships and we have the ability to act and adapt quickly", she said.

"When aligned with industry and with public health agencies, we can ensure that the world is never unprepared again", she concluded.