On July 24, 2014, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) of "Peking University - Merck QEHS Joint Program" was signed at the Lake House, witnessed by senior officials of Peking University, German Embassy, and industry associations.

As important issues for development of the nation and global public health, quality, environment, health and safety (QEHS) of pharmaceutical industry are of long term education and research interest to Peking University. Dr. Stefan Oschmann, an Executive Board Member and CEO of Pharma of Merck Group stated that Merck is willing to share its global experience and resources to collaborate with China’s oldest and most prestigious university, known for leading innovations, on QEHS to face the rapid advances in science and technology, the growing complexity of medical products and pharmaceutical industry. 

As a global leading innovation company with 350 years of history, Merck has already had several collaboration projects with Peking University (PKU) on public health. Professor Yang Ke, Executive Vice President of Peking University remarked that it is respectable for Merck to include QEHS standards into its corporate social responsibilities, and the collaboration between PKU and Merck is making a big step forward, from education to research, on important industry development and public health issues like QEHS of the pharmaceutical industry.

Professor Dongxiao Zhang, dean of College of Engineering of Peking University, Mr. Allan Gabor, President and CEO of Merck Serono China, Dr. Alasdair Jelfs, Managing Director of Merck Chemicals China co-signed the MOU for a three-year collaboration on education, research and dialog. “The QEHS Joint Program opens a new chapter of collaboration between Peking University and Merck, and it is also a long way. We are ready and pleased to work together”, said Mr. Allan Gabor.

Ms. Beate Grzeski, Minister and Head of Economic Department of German Embassy; Dr. WANG Gang, Assistant Country Director of US FDA China Office; Mr. Mark Duval, President of AmCham; Mr. Joseph Cho, Managing Director of RDPAC, and other guests from pharmaceutical industry also attended the ceremony.