A cooperation protocol was signed between the Department of Chest Diseases of Near East University and the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine of Otago University, the long-established university of New Zeland.

According to a press statement released by the Press and Public Relations Directorate of Near East University, the joint project carried out between Prof. Dr. Finn Rasmussen, the head of the Department of Chest Diseases of Near East University, and Prof. Dr. Bob Hancox, head of Department of Preventive and Social Medicine of Otago University was turned into a cooperation agreement between the parties and includes joint academic publications and information exchange, student and staff exchange between the parties.

Prof. Dr. Rasmussen and Prof. Dr. Hancox have been carrying out research on causes of asthma and allergy as well as poor liver development and causes.