In mid-January, the delegation from Zhejiang University led by Prof. Jianhong Luo who is the vice president visited universities in Canada including University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, McGill University, University of Alberta and University of British Columbia. The delegation included Prof. Zhi Chen who is the executive dean of School of Medicine and dean of School of Public Health, Prof. XIaoming Li who is the associate dean for International Affairs and Graduate Study and Prof. Dajing Xia who is the associate dean of School of Public Health. During the visits, topics regarding student exchange program, teaching staff training program and joint medical school program were deeply discussed and cooperative intentions were reached in the end.
January 9th, the delegation held a recruitment presentation in University of Toronto to publicly invite positions including Qiushi Distinguished Professor, “; researchers, lecturers, postdoctoral fellowship and so forth. Prof. Luo Jianhong and Prof. Xiaoming Li respectively gave brief introductions about Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, salaries, benefits and the job application process, and they met with the researchers who showed their intention to join in Zhejiang University.
January 10th, the delegation paid a visit to University of Toronto. During the visit, topics regarding undergraduate students’ summer and clinical exchanging program, teaching staff training program and joint medical school program were deeply discussed with the staff from Faculty of Medicine including Dr. Peter Lewis who is the assistant vice president, Dr. Lynn Wilson who is the vice dean in charge of partnership and Dr. Jay Rosenfield who is the vice dean in charge of MD program, and initial cooperative intentions were reached. Moreover, led by Dr. Michael Apkon who is the president, the delegation visited the Affiliated Children’s Hospital and the Research Building.
January 11th, the delegation visited University of Ottawa, and it was hosted by Prof. Jacques Bradwejn who is the dean of Faculty of Medicine. Prof. Jacques Bradwejn gave an overview of the successful experiences of the University of Ottawa - Shanghai Jiao Tong University Cooperation in Joint Medical Schools and University of Ottawa’s graduate studies and education in epidemiology. The two sides held discussions on potential collaborations in the area of student exchange and joint education in public health. During the visit, the delegation also had a talk with the Embassy of China in Canada.
January 12th, the delegation paid a visit to McGill University, and Dr. David Eidelman who is the vice president and the associate dean of Faculty of Medicine played host to the delegation. The delegation had a talk with the Chair of Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health regarding topics about students from Zhejiang University attending McGill University’ summer program of environmental health and safety and the Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program Cooperation. In addition, the delegation had a discussion with Dr. Paul J. Allison who is the dean from Dental School on topics of student exchanging program and junior doctors clinical and teaching training program. Later on, the delegation was invited to visit Royal Victoria Hospital.
From January 14th to 15th, the delegation visited University of Alberta and met with Dr. Steven Dew who is the provost and vice-president in charge of academic, Dr. Britta Baron who is the vice provost and assistant vice president in charge of international affairs, Dr. Lorne Babiuk who is the vice-president in charge of research and Dr. Richard Fedorak who is the dean of Faculty of Medicine. The staff from Faculty of Medicine gave a detailed overview of the 2016 Global Summer Medical Program, study of Neurology and the training program of general practitioner in North America. The two sides also discussed details of student clinical exchanging program and potential possibility of jointed medical school in the field of clinical medicine and public health. Besides, the delegation also had a tour to Misericordia Hospital, HSERC and Simulation Labs and so forth. At last, the delegation was also arranged to meet with Carl Amrhein who is the vice minister from Ministery of Health of Alberta.
From January 17th to 18th, the delegation visited University of British Columbia, and Prof. John Hepburn who is the vice president in charge of research and international affairs, Prof. Dermot Kelleher who is the dean from Faculty of Medicine and Prof.Weihong Song who is the assistant to the president played host to the delegation. Focusing on the jointed doctoral program, the two sides reached agreement on the implementation plan. The delegation had a tour to the Dental School and made a preliminary plan of student and junior doctors exchanging program.
This visit to the universities in Canada had brought Zhejiang University a great deal of benefits. Firstly, the visit has created more international exchanging opportunities for students and teaching staff. By means of short-time exchanging program and jointed education, the medical education system of School of Medicine will be greatly improved. Secondly, by visiting the top hospitals in Canada, the delegation collected precious experiences of their management methods which will offer reference to the new opened affiliated hospitals of Zhejiang University. Thirdly, the delegation also showed the outside world the present status of development of Zhejiang University, and plenty of outstanding research teams and individuals were attracted to join in School of Medicine. Last but not least, through the face to face communication, the collaborative relations between the above mentioned medical institutes and Zhejiang University School of Medicine were improved, and it will definitely bring significant benefits to the promotion of the research and teaching level of School of Medicine.
