JINAN, Nov. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- New York University (NYU) School of Medicine and Qilu Children's Hospital of east China's Shandong University have signed an agreement to promote exchanges and cooperation in heart disease.

　　Under the agreement, the two sides plan to launch an educa tional program for congenital heart disease, said sources with the Qilu Children's Hospital.

　　The cooperation, based in the hospital's Heart Disease Treatment Center, is aimed at carrying out the "Pilot Program" which mainly focuses on the education, training and research concerning major health problems in the world.

　　This hospital is advanced in medical treatment and management. It is well-equipped to carry out the cooperation, said Dr. Arnold Stern, chief assistant to the head of the NYU School of Medicine after an inspection trip in the hospital.

　　The NYU School of Medicine is a well-known clinical research institution in the United States. Besides China, the New York University has set up clinical research sites in many other countries like India, Mexico and Kenya.

　　According to the agreement, Chinese and American medical workers will exchange education and research in the other side's medical institution. Enditem