A delegation from Zhejiang University School of Stomatology travelled to Budapest to attend Semmelweis University’s opening ceremony for the 2026/2027 academic year and, as part of the programme, held a separate professional meeting with representatives of the Faculty of Dentistry. The meeting on 6 September focused on the partnership that has been developing between the two institutions since 2017, the first experiences of the clinical student exchange programme launched in 2026, and further opportunities for cooperation in education and research.
Zhejiang University is one of China’s leading research universities, a member of the C9 League of elite Chinese universities and ranks among the world’s leading institutions in international university rankings. Its School of Stomatology has extensive clinical, educational and research infrastructure, with more than 600 dental chairs across its four campuses and more than 1.1 million outpatient visits recorded in 2025.
Zhejiang University School of Stomatology was represented at the meeting by Prof. Shengzhong Duan, Chairman of the Hospital Council, and Dr. Lingkai Su, Deputy Director of the Talent Office. Semmelweis University was represented by Prof. Dr. Péter Hermann, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs; Prof. Dr. Gábor Gerber, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry; Prof. Dr. Csaba Dobó-Nagy, Vice-Dean for Scientific Affairs; Dr. Bence Tamás Szabó, Vice-Dean for Educational Affairs; and representatives of the Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs.
The relationship between the two institutions has been continuously developing since 2017. In October 2025, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Budapest, establishing a framework for educational and scientific cooperation as well as student and faculty mobility. This was followed in June 2026 by a separate agreement on a clinical exchange programme for dental students, under which five third- or fourth-year students from each institution may participate annually in a four-week summer clinical placement at the partner institution. The agreement also provides opportunities for faculty and researcher mobility, as well as joint educational and research activities.
The first student mobility under the programme took place in the summer of 2026. In July, five Semmelweis students spent four weeks at Zhejiang University. During the meeting, the participants reviewed the experiences of this first mobility and discussed the next phase of the programme, as the first professional programme in Budapest for students from Zhejiang University had been prepared for the end of September.
One of the central topics of the meeting was the identification of specific areas for joint research cooperation. The Chinese delegation presented the institution’s research infrastructure and main scientific fields. Zhejiang University’s stomatology institution operates several provincial-level research platforms and also has a clinical trial centre and an oral disease biobank. Its research model spans the full spectrum from basic research through clinical application to translational development.
The Chinese partner’s research profile offers several promising areas of connection with Semmelweis University, including research into the relationship between oral and systemic diseases, studies of neoplastic lesions, regenerative dentistry, and the application of artificial intelligence.
The Faculty of Dentistry at Semmelweis University also has several research groups whose scientific profiles may align with Zhejiang University’s research directions. During the meeting, digital dentistry and the application of artificial intelligence, as well as implantology-related research, were highlighted as potential starting points for cooperation. The parties agreed that, as a next step, they would compare relevant research areas and research groups to identify concrete professional links and develop joint projects, with the possibility of submitting joint grant applications at a later stage. The aim is to expand the partnership beyond clinical student mobility to include broader researcher and scientific cooperation.
Professional discussions will continue following the Budapest meeting. In September, Levente Béla Vágó, Deputy Director for International Relations, and Dr. Bence Tamás Szabó, Vice-Dean for Educational Affairs of the Faculty of Dentistry, will hold meetings in China, including discussions with representatives of Zhejiang University.
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