A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Shanghai Putuo District Central Hospital and Semmelweis University. The six-member Chinese delegation was headed by Mr. Deng Haiju, vice director general of the Shanghai Putuo Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning and the Putuo District Central Hospital was represented by high ranking members. Apart from signing the MoU, the delegation visited several departments of Semmelweis University.
Prior to this visit, Dr. Ágoston Szél, rector of Semmelweis University and Dr. Judit Mészáros, former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences visited the Chinese institution in Shanghai where the Central Hospital’s relevant courses, training programmes and the various cooperation possibilities were presented. Consequently, the parties formulated their interest in launching cooperation in the fields of nursing, physiotherapy, health management, ophthalmology, radiology and pathology. The cooperation would include student and staff exchanges, joint conferences and courses as well as training programmes.
Specialised in traditional Chinese medicine, rehabilitation, acupuncture and physiotherapy, the Putuo District Central Hospital is open to organise courses, training programmes and professional forums in these fields for Semmelweis University. The Faculty of Health Sciences’ Chinese language programmes may become part of the cooperation as well.
The related MoU was signed at a meeting with Rector Szél. Semmelweis University was represented by – apart from Rector Szél and Dr. Judit Mészáros – the various leaders of the University including Dr. Mária Judit Molnár, vice rector for scientific affairs; Dr. László Hunyady, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dr. Zoltán Zsolt Nagy, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The Putuo District also initiated a sister city relationship with Budapest’s 8th District. The vice-mayor – Attila Egry – welcomed the delegation on behalf of the 8th District who emphasised that the sister city collaboration can be substantially strengthened by the academic and scientific collaboration between the two institutions.
The Chinese delegation visited several University departments during their visit. The Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology was presented by Dr. Miklós Kellermayer, director of the Department and vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine upon which Director András Matolcsy showed around the guests in the 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research. The Department of Ophthalmology was also visited by the delegation where Dr. Zoltán Zsolt Nagy welcomed the guests. The official programme was concluded by a visit to the Faculty of Health Sciences which was represented by – apart from Dr. Zoltán Zsolt Nagy and Dr. Judit Mészáros – Dr. Zoltán Balogh department head, Dr. Tamás Jakkel, head of the Department of International Relations and Gábor Ulakcsai, one of the Department’s international programme coordinators. After outlining the Faculty of Health Sciences’ various activities and its comprehensive international relations, Dr. Zoltán Balogh held a classroom demonstration at the Faculty’s simulation laboratory where a number of life threatening situations were demonstrated on the computer controlled METI dolls.
The Chinese delegation was especially interested in the Faculty of Health Sciences’ traditional Chinese medicine programme and in its 2-3 weeks long training programmes which have been very successful in the past. Additionally, the delegation showed deep interest in longer, 3-6 months long programmes as well.
The Chinese delegation was very satisfied with Semmelweis University’s research and academic activities and with the various cooperation possibilities. Both parties now look forward to creating and moving forward the collaboration between the two institutions.
Marica Wild, Directorate of International Relations
Translated by Bonifac Makkai