To promote the collaboration of tropical medicine in ‘Belt and Road’ countries, President of Hainan Medical University Jun Yang led the delegation of tropical medicine experts to visit Mahidol University, Duke-NUS Medical School and National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University during April 22 to 27, 2019.

Each visit experience was unique and offered valuable insight in regard to research, student exchange and faculty training. In Mahidol University, experts visited Faculty of Tropical Medicine, had cordial talks with Professor Pratap Singhasivanon (Dean, Faculty of Tropical Medicine) and university executives, and President Yang signed a memorandum of agreement, reaching consensus on students and scholars visiting. The delegation visited the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, affiliated to the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, and had an in-depth understanding of the basic operation of the Hospital and its unique management system integrating clinical, scientific research and teaching of Tropical Diseases. Later, the delegation visited the Salaya campus and Professor Banchong Mahaisavariya, Acting President of Mahilon University, and Professor Suwat Benjaponpitak, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Faculty of Tropical Medicine has made remarkable achievements in the field of tropical medicine. As Hainan Medical University has been committed to building a high-level medical university with distinctive characteristics of tropical medicine, both sides agreed to strengthen close cooperation and make more contributions to the clinical prevention and treatment of tropical diseases in Asia. During their visit to Thailand, the delegation also met with Professor David Dance from Oxford University, UK, who has been rooted in southeast Asian countries for years to conduct research on tropical diseases.

In Singapore, the delegation visited Professor Linfa Wang, Director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Institute at Duke National University of Singapore School of Medicine. Professor Wang is currently a member of the Australian Academy of Technology, Science and Engineering, and an expert on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Academician Wang warmly introduced their current research status in the field of animal-derived viruses to the delegation, especially Bats and the viruses they carry, and expressed their intention to cooperate with School of Tropical and Laboratory Medicine of Hainan Medical University in relevant scientific research fields.

'We will encourage excellent scholars to apply for researcher positions in Academician Wang's team, and strive to make breakthroughs achievements under the guidance of Academician Wang.’ said Professor Qianfeng Xia, the Executive Vice Dean of School of Tropical and Laboratory Medicine of Hainan Medical University.

At Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, the delegation were warmly welcomed by Dr. Goh Chor Boon, the Deputy Director of International Department of National Institute of Education of Nanyang Technological University. The two sides exchanged views on how to improve the teaching capabilities of medical school faculties, and to implement the student study abroad programs, innovation and entrepreneurship projects, and discussed the possibility of further cooperation.

In Singapore, the delegation met with Mr. Shihai Cao, the Counselor of Education Chinese Embassy. ‘Chairman Xi set the direction for Hainan pilot free trade zone and free trade port with Chinese characteristics,’ said Mr. Cao, ‘Hainan Medical University should keep up with the pace of development of Hainan Province, and accelerate the process of its internationalization.’ Mr. Cao added that the Education Department of Chinese Embassy in Singapore would fully support all various measures to improve internationalization of education from Hainan Medical University.

Contributors: BRTMA Secretariat

President Yang signed a memorandum of understanding with Mahilon University Faculty of Tropical Medicine in Thailand

The delegation visited the Tropical Diseases Hospital of Mahilon University Faculty of Tropical Medicine in Thailand