On July 6, 2024, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University successfully hosted the "Seminar on International Collaboration for High-Level Hospitals in Guangdong Province" (hereinafter referred to as the "Seminar"). Over 220 experts and colleagues from more than 50 medical institutions across the province gathered to discuss high-level international cooperation and exchange.
Since the implementation of the “Reform and Opening-up” policy in the late 1970s, China has actively engaged in exchanges and cooperation with advanced international medical institutions, benefiting from these interactions and gradually transforming from a beneficiary to a contributor through its own development. The organizer of this seminar—Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University—has, through the efforts of several generations, become China's only World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Eye Care and Vision, and the only headquarters of international medical academic organization in China (Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology - APAO, and the Asian office of Afro-Asian Council of Ophthalmology - AACO). In the latest SIR Global University Academic Rankings, Sun Yat-sen University's ophthalmology department ranks #1 in Asia and #6 globally. Additionally, in the 2024 "Nature Index" rankings, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center is ranked #1 among ophthalmic specialty hospitals worldwide. These achievements are inseparable from high-quality international exchanges and cooperation.
Li Qiang, the Party Secretary of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University, hosted the opening ceremony of the seminar
Deng Linfeng, the Deputy Secretary of the Joint Party Committee of Private Hospitals and Health Associations of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, delivered the opening speech
Professor Wang Dong, the Vice President of Southern Medical University, delivered the opening speech
Professor Lin Haotian, the President of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, delivered the opening speech
The keynote speeches at this seminar were informative and captivating. Invited representatives from government departments, such as the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, elaborated on some fundamental issues in international exchanges and cooperation with typical case studies. Invited representatives from universities and medical institutions shared numerous successful cases and unique insights on topics such as international cooperation in health economics, international blindness prevention collaboration, international multi-center clinical research, international cooperation in the frontier application of supercomputing technology, and international cooperation in medical education, providing profound inspiration to the participants.
Panel Discussions
Professor Liang Lingyi from the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University hosted the keynote speech session I
Level I Division Rank Official Zhang Haibo from the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province delivered a keynote speech on foreign etiquette considerations
Professor Ma Xiaochen from the Peking University China Center for Health Development Studies shared insights on international cooperation in health economics
Professor Li Yiqing from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University hosted the keynote speech session II
Professor Lin Haotian from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University shared his experiences on international cooperation in blindness prevention
Professor Sun Ying from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center shared her experiences in conducting international multi-center clinical research
Professor Lu Yutong from the National Supercomputer Center in Guangzhou, Sun Yat-sen University, shared insights on international cooperation in the frontier applications of supercomputing technology
Professor Hu Wenjie from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University shared his experiences in international cooperation in medical education
The seminar included two panel discussion sessions, focusing on the themes: “Experience and Considerations in Organizing International Conferences” and “Experience in International Multi-Center Research Collaboration.” Experts from affiliated hospitals of universities such as Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Medical University, and Guangzhou Medical University shared their insights, engaged in lively discussions, and presented their practical achievements.
Finally, Professor Yu Minbin from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude to the experts for their valuable suggestions on improving international exchanges and cooperation. He advocated for adhering to the principle of “taking the initiative and achieving win-win cooperation,” actively supporting national strategies, fulfilling the mission of public hospitals, and promoting high-quality development through high-quality international exchanges. The purpose is to further enhance innovation capabilities, increase international influence, and contribute wisdom and strength to the advancement of China’s healthcare sector.
Professor Yu Minbin from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University provided the meeting summary
Exciting Preview
The experts' experience sharing at this seminar provided important references for the future international exchanges and cooperation of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. Moving forward, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center will remain committed to its original mission, develop long-term plans, and further introduce subsequent projects to enhance international exchange and cooperation capabilities. These initiatives will include increasing and improving English ward rounds, offering a series of English academic writing lectures, English salons, multi-center cooperation exchanges, interdisciplinary seminars, and hosting sessions on study abroad planning and experiences. Stay tuned for more updates.
