To promote the opening up ofeducation and deepen international academic and cultural exchange, the 2024 International Summer School Program “A Journey to Science and Health” was held at Hubei University of Medicine during August 18-24. Altogether 32 Teachers, doctors and students from the University of Wollega, Ethiopia, and Kazakhstan Medical University “KSPH” attended the Program. They participated a variety of activities, including guided tours to HUM campus and affiliated hospitals, attending academic lectures and seminars, joining research platforms, and experiencing traditional Chinese culture.
Guided Tours and academic lectures
The participants visited the HUM History Museum, Life Science Museum, and Clinical Skills Center, whereby theywere acquainted with the University’s historical evolution and educational facilities.
The participants visited the affiliate Taihe Hospital and affiliate Renmin Hospital, to have a glimpse of China’s medical system, hospital operation, and clinical practice. Dr. Asefa Negeri from Wollega University said, “During my stay at Hubei University of Medicine,I experienced huge medicine, science setups and wonderful life sciences such asbiomedical clinical, public health and research institutions which I have appreciated for ever”.
As one of the first batch of “Double First-Class” construction universities in Hubei Province, HUM has uniqueadvantages in the field of medical research. Two lectures, respectively by Prof. Tang Junming and Prof. Wu Jianping, surveyed the progress in research onstem cell and neurological diseases. Dr. Yu Xianjun introduced China’s technological innovations and research projects, as well as HUM’s research platforms and achievements. Prof. Wang Xuanbin introducedHubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research and its international cooperation.
The participants also visited theresearch platforms and laboratories of the Biomedical Institute, and exchangedideas, with HUM researchers, on the utility of sophisticated equipment,coverage of funded projects, and methodology of research.
On the last day of the Summer School, HUM held a seminar on teaching and research. Prof. Yan Shirong, HUMVice President, shared experiences on the construction of “Double First-Class”university, such as explicit goals and planning, steady financial investment,talented professionals, and motivation mechanisms. Exchanges and discussions focused on such topics as paper writing, grant seeking, teaching management,high-quality development of universities, and future collaboration. Dr. EbbissaDhaba from Wollega University said, “I appreciate the government of China forthe attention and commitment to elevate the standards of its people andcommitment to always innovate and create technology and also support people elsewherein Africa. Wollega University will use HUM as a benchmark and standard totransit to university and applied science”.
Cultural Exchanges and Experiences
This Summer School not only featured a display of scientific research and academia, but also facilitated the exchange and appreciation of different cultures. Dr. Zhang Xinjun,Professor from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, gave a lecture titled“An Introduction to China and Chinese Culture”, systematically introducing the profound traditions of Chinese customs, traditional attire, and culinary culture. Representatives from two visiting universities also shared insights into their own country’ conditions and cultural customs, enhancing mutual understanding and building a cultural bridge between China, Ethiopia, and Kazakhstan.
HUM offered a unique Wudang martialarts session. Mr. Shi Baoping from the Physical Education Department taughtWudang Tai Chi. In addition, participants also visited the Shiyan City Museum,Wudang Mountain Taoism Kungfu Academy, and the Wudang Mountain International Martial Arts Academy. They explored the source of Shiyan’s “Fairy Mountain,Beautiful Waters, and Motor City” culture, gaining a deep understanding of the Wudang martial arts cultural concepts and the historical stories behind. Kavbekova Assem from Kazakhstan Medical University “KSPH” said, “China is popular forrich culture and traditional medicine. I’m glad that I was able to seeeverything with my own eyes”.
During their tour to the affiliate hospitals, participants deeply experienced the profound and extensive cultureof traditional Chinese medicine through tasting Chinese herbal teas andexperiencing the Chinese traditional therapies such as acupuncture, cupping,and massage. Dr. Temesgen Tilahun from Wollega University said, “Our visit to different affiliate hospital made us get exposure to various technologies ouestablished for academics, research and clinical care.The way you modify andintroduce traditional Chinese medicine in patient care is so interesting. It will help us to look at various traditional medicine in Ethiopia. With all these experiences we shared from HUM and affiliate hospitals, I hope we will improve the academic, clinical services, research and innovation at Wollega University”.
The Participants also experienced the art of painting circular fans and making dumplings. Under the guidance of the teachers, they composed, traced, and colored to create unique and exquisitefans. The dumpling-making was also very lively. Under the demonstration of thechef, the students imitated the process of filling and pleating the dumplings.The unique charm of Chinese traditional culture became more tangible indelicious food.
Seminars and CooperationDiscussion
The Summer School has left a deep impression on the participants. They expressed their desire to further deepen cooperation with Hubei University of Medicine, hoping that HUM can provide guidance in scientific research and medical technology. They look forward tosending teachers to study at HUM, deploying physicians to provide health care campaigns for their community, providing training for their health professional on acupuncture treatment to launch the service in their hospitals, and jointly organizing international academic conferences, etc.
Dr. Hasen Yusuf Mohammed, Presidentof Wollega University thanked for the hospitality of the HUM management. Theyhave learnt a lot from the lectures, visit to the University facilities and affiliate hospitals. Everything is well organized. They hope to continue the cooperation and partnership with HUM.
Dana Sarsembayeva, Acting Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Kazakhstan Medical University “KSPH”,thanked for the great opportunity to the Summer School. She was very proud to bein China, and the Chinese people are very friendly and warmly, showing bigrespect for other cultures. She will share this excellent summer school journey with her family and friends, and introduce them to visit and study in China and Shiyan.
Narymbayeva Nazerke from Kazakhstan Medical University “KSPH” said, “This Summer School was rich,engaging and immensely beneficial. I was particularly excited to deepen my understanding of healthcare management in China, teaching methodologies,scientific advancements and new innovations. It was a fantastic experience that exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their knowledge in science and medical innovation while also immersingthemselves in the culture and traditions of the country of the rising sun”.
In the future, HUM will fully exertits leading role as a “Double First-Class” university, utilize the platform for international cooperation, rely on professional advantages and the foundation of cooperation, aim at the development of medical disciplines and the forefrontof scientific and technological trends, gather high-quality educational and research resources, take famous teachers as the lead, and courses as the carrier, to further build the brand project of the International Summer School.
