The delegation of Semmelweis University visited Japan between March 30-April 6, 2017, during which the members of the delegation met with several Japanese partner institutions. Semmelweis University was represented by Dr. Ágoston Szél, Rector, Dr. József Sándor, Professor of the Department of Surgical Research and Techniques, as well as Dr. Marcel Pop, Head of the Directorate of International Relations, who had discussions with the Japanese partners related to the development of the current relations and collaborations, and about the establishment of new academic programmes. During the last five years the relations of Semmelweis University were especially reinforced in the areas of medical training programmes, dental training programmes and training programmes in health sciences.
The delegation of Semmelweis University visited International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) in the framework of an official invitation by the Japanese partner institution. International University of Health and Welfare has recently opened its new campus, as a result of which medical training has also started at the institution besides training programmes in the field of pharmacy and health sciences. For almost 40 years there has been no new medical training programmes initiated in Japan. The recently launched medical training programme was started with 120 Japanese and 20 international students. Besides Japanese and Asian medical universities, the delegation of Semmelweis University also received an official invitation for the opening ceremony of the event. The collaboration between Semmelweis University and International University of Health and Welfare started in 2016, which could provide an opportunity for the Japanese medical students to accomplish their 4-week-long professional programme abroad at Semmelweis University.
In 2016 Semmelweis University started negotiations with Tokyo Medical University about student and staff exchange, and scientific cooperation opportunities. In the framework of the student exchange programme that was officially launched in 2017, Semmelweis University is ready to receive Japanese students starting from this year. Hungarian medical students will be able to participate in the programme from the academic year 2017/2018. During the visit Dr. Ágoston Szél introduced the life and achievements of Ignaz Semmelweis in his lecture, Dr. József Sándor talked about the history of Hungarian and Japanese medical scientific relations, and Dr. Marcel Pop held a presentation about Semmelweis University.
Saitama University is the first Japanese partner university of Semmelweis University, with whom there has been a student and staff exchange since 2002 in the framework of a successful mobility programme. During this visit the representatives of both universities had a discussion related to the possible expansion of Erasmus+ credit mobility programme to Saitama University as well. By taking the fact into consideration that every year more and more Hungarian and Japanese students aim at taking part in an exchange programme, in case of a successful grant application the number of participants could be increased.
Josai University has been sending nursing students for summer training programmes to our university for three years now. During the discussions the Japanese partner expressed their satisfaction with the training programme and provided the representatives of Semmelweis University with information regarding the composition of the next group of exchange students. They also indicated their claim related to a greater emphasis on the practical part of the training programme organized at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Dr. Norbert Palanovics, Ambassador and Dr. Györgyi Juhász, Science & Technology Counsellor also participated in some of the meetings. Ambassador Palanovics ensured the representatives of the universities about his support by highlighting the fact that biomedical training and research is an outstandingly important area in the collaboration between Japan and Hungary.
Source: Directorate of International Relations
Translated by: Katalin Romhányi
