China delegation hosted by University of Leicester strengthens education links

The University of Leicester has hosted representatives of Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) in China to strengthen links between the two institutions as they partner on providing medical education.

A delegation from CQMU visited the University last week to experience the collaboration first-hand and to share best practice. 

Led by President of Chongqing Medical University Huang Ailong, they met with representatives of the University of Leicester Partnership and Programme team to discuss the operational and academic delivery of the current collaborative provision, partnership development plans, as well as to share best practice and learn more about various divisions across the University. 

Leicester and CQMU teamed up in 2019 to offer a joint educational programme in Clinical Sciences (awarded by the University of Leicester) and Clinical Medicine (awarded by CQMU). The programme provides an option for students to undertake a year of study at the University of Leicester.

The first intake of students took place in September 2020 and they have full access to library, learning and other academic resources at both institutions. Students are required to meet the degree awarding standards of both universities and will be awarded a Bachelor of Clinical Medicine from CQMU and a Bachelor of Clinical Sciences from Leicester upon graduation.

During their visit, the delegation met with members of the University’s Executive Board and senior staff from the College of Life Sciences, including President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Nishan Canagarajah. They also observed several lectures and workshops in progress, and spoke with professional services staff providing many of the services that support students during their time at Leicester. The visit also gave the delegation a taste of the University’s wider activity with an opportunity to visit and tour the facilities at Space Park Leicester and to learn about work around artificial intelligence.  

Huang Ailong, President of Chongqing Medical University, said: “The mutual exchanges between our two universities have laid a solid foundation for the further development and deepening of our cooperation. We are committed to enhancing the scope and quality of our cooperation, from medical education to scientific research cooperation, academic exchanges, faculty and student exchanges, and promoting the coordinated, high-quality development of our two universities.

“We greatly appreciate University of Leicester's thoughtful arrangements for this visit. As a Chinese proverb says, ‘A bosom friend from afar brings a distant country closer’. Through our concerted efforts, our cooperation will yield even more fruitful results and create new momentum for the development of global medical education.”

Chongqing has been twinned with the city of Leicester since 1993 and close ties between the cities have been established, including a prestigious partnership between the University of Leicester and one of China’s leading universities, Chongqing Medical University (CQMU). In January this year, the University welcomed a delegation from the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, led by Vice Mayor Mr Dan Yanzheng, to celebrate Chongqing’s relationship with the city and the University.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester Professor Nishan Canagarajah said: “Bilateral visits such as this are of huge importance as they lay foundations for the future which will benefit students and society through the provision of high quality medical education. We are strengthening the co-operation between our institutions and, as an esteemed partner, we are committed to working with CQMU to support, grow and deepen our partnership. 

“Following my productive visit to China, we are delighted to reciprocate the gracious welcome extended to us and, given the twinning arrangement between Leicester and Chongqing, this visit further underlines the deep and enduring links that we have.”

The University recently refreshed its Chinese-language website which provides information for potential applicants.