A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Semmelweis University and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the framework of the ceremony held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Chinese institution. The event was attended by participants from 18 countries and 23 higher-education institutions. Semmelweis University was represented by Dr. Ágoston Szél, Rector, and Dr. Marcel Pop, Director of International Relations.
After signing the Memorandum of Understanding, Dr. Ágoston Szél introduced the international relations of Semmelweis University, with a special focus on the experience regarding the cooperation with Chinese partners and he talked about future endeavours as well. Rector Szél referred to the importance of strengthening Hungarian-Chinese relations in the field of patient care and health care education, which are in accordance with the intentions of the government of both countries.
“The signed Memorandum of Understanding provides the two institutions with favourable circumstances to launch large scale projects, especially for the sake of the integration of traditional and Western medicine.”, said Dr. Xu Jianguang, President of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Earlier, Semmelweis University signed a cooperation with Putuo District, which is one of the hospitals of the Chinese partner. The frame of the agreement provided a group of Chinese professionals with the opportunity to take part in a short, intensive training course at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the end of 2015.
Richter Gedeon, one of the first and most important industrial partners of Semmelweis University, also contributed to the organisation and pre-arrangements of the delegation’s visit. The official agenda of the programmes contained a trilateral negotiation as well, in which the Consulate General of Hungary Shanghai, the leaders of Richter Gedeon’s Chinese affiliation and Semmelweis University’s delegation participated. The Consulate General of Hungary Shanghai was represented by Levente Horváth, Consul General, and Lívia Szentmártoni, Consul for Culture and Education, as well as Richter Gedeon by András Gizur, General Manager, and Frank Sun, Vice President. The participants of this trilateral negotiation were all in agreement regarding the importance of strengthening Hungarian-Chinese relations and representing Hungarian interests in the region.
It was also mentioned during the discussion that a Central-Eastern European – Chinese Ministerial Health Forum will be held in Shanghai on June 18-21, 2016. At this forum Semmelweis University will be represented by Dr. Béla Merkely, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs, and Dr. Zoltán Zsolt Nagy, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Pálma Dobozi
Source: Directorate of International Relations
Translation: Katalin Romhányi
