OUCRU Oxford University Clinical Research Unit

Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam (OUCRU) was established in 1991 and is one of the Wellcome Asia Programmes. We are based within the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD), at tertiary referral hospital for infectious diseases for southern Vietnam, under the direction of the Health Service of Ho Chi Minh City and the Ministry of Health. OUCRU also has a base in the capital Hanoi at the National Institute of Infectious & Tropical Diseases (NHTD) and has satellite research units in Kathmandu (Nepal) and Jakarta (Indonesia).

OUCRU has a large clinical and scientific research programme which focuses on the most significant infectious diseases in Vietnam. Many of these are also among the greatest threats to global health in the 21st century. The work covers clinical research and aspects of immunology, host and pathogen genetics, molecular biology, virology, mathematical modelling, bioinformatics, biostatistics, health economics and epidemiology. The research is supported by its extensive Clinical Trials Unit and Data Management Centre. It concentrates on the following core areas:

• Central nervous system infections
• Opportunistic infections in HIV
• Dengue
• Tuberculosis
• Influenza / emerging viral infections
• Malaria
• Typhoid / enteric infections
• Antimicrobial resistance

OUCRU has established a formal training programme for Vietnamese and expatriate clinicians and scientists in partnership with HTD in Ho Chi Minh City and NHTD in Hanoi, the Health Services and national universities. The programme includes training courses for postdoctoral scientists, research clinicians and medical elective placements. In addition, OUCRU offers internationally registered PhD fellowships.

OUCRU promotes better understanding and communication of science and health issues in the social, cultural and historical context of communities. The OUCRU public engagement team aims to bring the local communities together with the scientists by involving them in the research, and by improving understanding of the public’s motivations and perceptions. Initiatives such as science theatre productions and media writing generate dialogue and help to develop an appreciation of value and need for scientific research.

From Vietnam to the workd - 30 years of OUCRU

OUCRU tour - Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam, and Jakarta in Indonesia