Semmelweis University and Southern Medical University in China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 27 July 2026. The partnership aims to strengthen educational, research and clinical ties, and to lay the groundwork for joint initiatives in professional fields of strategic importance to both institutions.
The high-level delegation of Southern Medical University, representing the institution’s educational, research, clinical and international activities, was led by Vice President Kewei Xu, Chief Physician of Urology Department.
Founded in 1951, Southern Medical University is one of China’s leading medical universities, with outstanding achievements in medical education, clinical care and health sciences research. The institution has approximately 25.000 students, an extensive network of affiliated university hospitals and numerous state-level research platforms. Its priority research areas include organ injury and regeneration, chronic kidney disease, brain research and mental health, cancer and infectious diseases as well as innovative drug development.
The delegation was first received by the leadership of the Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs at the central building of Semmelweis University. During the meeting, the parties introduced their respective institutions’ educational, research and clinical activities and reviewed potential areas of future cooperation.
It was noted during the discussions that the number of Chinese students at Semmelweis University continues to grow, and they now constitute one of the University’s largest international student communities. At the same time, professional relations with Chinese higher education and healthcare institutions are also expanding dynamically, the partnership with Southern Medical University represents the third new institutional cooperation established by Semmelweis University with a Chinese university within a three-month period.
Based on their positions in international rankings, research performance, extensive clinical background and strong focus on medical sciences, the two universities are comparable in several respects in terms of their institutional profiles and professional standing. This provides a favourable foundation for developing long-term cooperation that may further strengthen the educational, research and patient care activities of both institutions.
The cooperation agreement was formally signed in the recently renovated Senate Hall of Semmelweis University. The agreement was signed by Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, and Kewei Xu, Vice President of Southern Medical University, officially affirming the shared professional objectives.
During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely highlighted the importance of high-quality international educational and research initiatives. As an example, he presented the Harvard-Semmelweis Program, which has been organised annually since 2023 and supports the professional development, international networking and innovation skills of early-career researchers. Representatives of Southern Medical University indicated that their institution would be pleased to encourage suitably qualified researchers to apply for the programme.
Following the signing of the agreement, experts from the two universities began a more detailed review of potential areas of cooperation. As a first step, they are examining the links between the priority research areas, which may later provide a basis for joint research projects, expert collaboration, mobility programmes and clinical exchanges.
The visit concluded at the Anatomy & Innovation Center for Education and Research, where Deputy Director Dr. András Kiss and Operations Manager Dr. Endre Kontsek introduced the institution to the delegation. The guests gained insight into the Center’s modern educational infrastructure and the practical, simulation-based and innovation-focused opportunities it provides in support of medical and health sciences education.
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