From April 17 to 26, Chen Xiang, Managing Vice President of Central South University (CSU) and Dean of the Xiangya School of Medicine, led a delegation to the United States, Barbados and the Bahamas. They visited international partner universities and institutions, signed cooperative agreements, and reached out to overseas alumni and alumnae, thus facilitating people-to-people exchanges. The delegation members also included leaders of the Xiangya School of Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, the Second Xiangya Hospital, and the School of Basic Medical Science.
During their visit to the United States, the delegation met and exchanged with Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, Nancy J. Brown, Dean of the Yale School of Medicine, and John Frisbie, President of the Yale-China Association. Mao Weiming, Governor of the People's Government of Hunan Province, reviewed the deep friendship enduring for a hundred years between Hunan, Yale University, and the Yale-China Association at the meeting. He regarded this long-lasting partnership as a model for people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States. The Governor expected for joint efforts in solidifying and expanding the friendship and cooperative achievements. He expressed the willingness to enhance practical collaboration in medicine, healthcare, education and scientific research, thereby contributing greatly to facilitating the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
Chen Xiang forwarded Peter Salovey an invitation letter signed by CSU’s President Li Jiancheng, cordially inviting President of Yale University to visit CSU and attend the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Xiangya School of Medicine. Chen Xiang indicated the intention to solidify and deepen the cooperation projects with Yale University, and enrich and extend the friendship through deeper, more extensive and more frequent exchanges.
On April 19, the delegation led by Chen Xiang visited the headquarters of BD and exchanged with Ami (Doshi) Simunovich, Vice President of BD. Witnessed by Governor Mao Weiming, Zhang Xin, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Xiangya Hospital CSU, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Li Ping, Vice President (Government Affairs) of BD Greater China, for jointly building an advanced medical innovation center. Based on the MOU, the both sides are committed to a collaborative effort aimed at accelerating the development and industrialization of core medical device technologies. This partnership will not only enhance the quality of medical laboratory examinations in Hunan but also boost the competitiveness of medical teams in the region.
On the same day, the delegation exchanged with Cheng Yan Davis, Founder and President of the Forum for World Education, and representatives from Xiangya Overseas Alumni Association (XYOAA) and Yan Fuqing’s family. Chen Xiang extended his gratitude to XYOAA and Yan Fuqing’s family for their contributions to the prosperity of CSU.
During his visit to Barbados, Chen Xiang exchanged with Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and Santia J. O. Bradshaw, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados. He also signed an MOU with Clive Landis, Principal of the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados, to facilitate faculty and student interactions, academic collaborations and scientific research cooperation, thereby promoting international educational initiatives and cultural exchanges. Chen Xiang stated that CSU will join hands with the University of the West Indies, Barbados to implement specific cooperation projects, and add fresh impetus to building a promising China-Barbados community with a shared future.
During their visit to the Bahamas, the CSU delegation met with Philip Edward Davis, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Bahamas. On the same day, the delegation attended the opening ceremony of the “Brightness Action” campaign to provide free cataract operation in Nassau. The Second Xiangya Hospital of CSU was scheduled to provide free medical services for a month at Princess Margaret Hospital in the Bahamas, and organize ophthalmologists and technical experts to perform 200 to 300 cataract surgeries, thereby bringing brightness and warmth to the people of the Bahamas who have cataracts.
On April 24, Chen Xiang and his delegation visited the University of The Bahamas, and were present at an educational cooperation exchange meeting between Hunan and the Bahamas. Witnessed by Governor Mao Weiming, Chen Xiang signed an MOU with Janyne Hodder, President of the University of The Bahamas. Based on the MOU, the both sides will enhance their exchanges and mutual learning in academics, culture and scientific research while solidifying current achievements, and will establish a sound mechanism for academic exchanges, scientific research cooperation and expert training. Chen Xiang said that CSU and the University of The Bahamas will further innovate their cooperation mechanism to write a new chapter for the collaboration and exchanges on higher education between Hunan and the Bahamas.
The delegation led by Chen Xiang also visited branches of XYOAA in New York, Washington, and Dallas, and met with Liao Wei, new President of XYOAA. They had intense conversations with overseas alumni and alumnae and invited them to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Xiangya School of Medicine.
Source: Xiangya School of Medicine
Author: Zhou Xingcan from the Medical International Cooperation Office
Original article link: https://xysm.csu.edu.cn/info/1045/8160.htm?jump_from=1_05_37_01
