From April 6 to 15, a delegation from HUST, headed by Director Hu Yu of the Affiliated Union Hospital, visited Australia, Singapore, and Japan. The delegation deepened cooperation among universities, promoted discipline development and joint talent training, met with outstanding scholars and alumni, and visited representatives of overseas staff.

At Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the University of New South Wales, the delegation met with Professor Yanchuan Shi, Professor Trevor Biden and other senior researchers. Director Hu Yu introduced the history and scale of the Union Hospital, highlighting its medical and scientific research advantages, and proposed an initiative to deepen cooperation with Garvan Institute. Professor Shi expressed his anticipation for in-depth collaboration in the field of metabolic diseases and conducting high-level scientific research. The two sides discussed the co-founding of a metabolism research center, joint applications for scientific research projects, and joint training of postgraduate students, etc. Both sides have agreed on the establishment of a cardiovascular metabolic disease alliance.

At the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the delegation met with Xiaoyuan (Shawn) Chen, Director of the NUS Nanomedicine Translational Research Program. Prof. Chen acknowledged the cooperation in nuclear medicine and regenerative medicine with the Union Hospital and expressed hope to carry out extensive cooperation in the research and development of radionuclide drugs and equipment. Director Hu Yu emphasized that based on the pragmatic cooperation between the two universities, both sides should integrate basic research and clinical trials, expand areas of collaboration, and deepen multidisciplinary cooperation. The two sides explored opportunities for Department of Nuclear Medicine to jointly apply for international projects and conduct research on radionuclide drugs. The two sides also discussed cooperation with the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery to carry out clinical research and joint training programs. A consensus on establishing a joint research center was reached.

At Fujita Health University, Chairman of the Board of Directors Hoshinaga Kiyotaka, President Yuzawa Yukio, and Dean of the School of Medicine Iwata Nakao met with the delegation. Consul General Yang Xian attended the meeting. Chairman Hoshinaga Kiyotaka welcomed the delegation and expressed anticipation for signing an Inter-University Cooperation Agreement and fostering cooperation between the two hospitals for the benefit of patients in both countries. Director Hu Yu affirmed the medical cooperation and friendship between the two institutions, expressing eagerness to deepen cooperation and embark on a new chapter of partnership. The two sides discussed cooperation in discipline development and talent training, reaching consensus on jointly establishing a cardiovascular clinical research center, collaborating on project applications, and facilitating overseas clinical exchanges for medical students. The Departments of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery of both sides conducted in-depth academic exchanges.

At the special lecture held in Fujita Health University, Professor Dong Nianguo, Director of the Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery of the Affiliated Union Hospital, delivered a presentation titled “Surgical Treatment of End-stage Heart Failure in China”. Nearly 60 experts and scholars attended the meeting, engaging in on-site discussions and exchanges. The advanced medical techniques showcased in the presentation attracted significant attention and sparked enthusiastic responses.

At Juntendo Hospital, the delegation met with Director Kuwatsuru Ryohei, Assistant to the Director Nagahara Akihito, and Professor Wang Xian’en from the Department of Gastroenterology. Director Hu Yu introduced the history, development and medical advantages of the Union Hospital, emphasizing the shared concept of “benevolence and love” between the two institutions. On the basis of the relationship between the sister schools, he expressed hope that this visit would advance substantive international exchanges between the two universities and pave the way for new collaborations in discipline development, talent training, and scientific research. Director Kuwatsuru Ryohei acknowledged Union Hospital as an advanced institution and expressed eagerness to deepen cooperation for mutual medical advancement. Both sides reached a consensus on enhancing collaboration in the field of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases. Academic exchanges between the Gastroenterology departments of both hospitals were conducted during the meeting.

During the visit, the delegation met with Doctor Jacob Qi, President of the Australian Association of Chinese Biomedical Scientists (AACBS).

The delegation of the Union Hospital paid a visit to the Chinese Consulate General in Nagoya. Consul General Yang Xian attended the meeting.

Director Hu Yu visited local alumni and representatives of overseas students and staff. He highlighted the hospital’s steady progress in constructing specialized centers for treating complex and critical conditions, enhancing medical education and training, and advancing research and development in science and technology. Jin Jianmin, Counsellor in charge of science and technology affairs of the Chinese Consulate in Sydney, attended the discussion.

Written by: Han Mingyang

Edited by: Cheng Yifang, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng