Zhejiang University: Asia Pacific Forum on Global Health held in Hangzhou
On May 10, Asia Pacific Forum on Global Health-Through and Beyond the Pandemic was held online and offline in Hangzhou, bringing together more than 400 physicians, researchers, global health experts, educators, students from 29 universities in 13 countries and regions to explore how higher medical education should be better prepared for future medical challenges in the post-pandemic era. As an event under the framework of Zhejiang University’s Z4G Action Plan, the Forum aimed to make contributions to the call for UN SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being.
At the opening, the leaders from Zhejiang University and the School of Medicine delivered the welcome remarks, stressing the importance of building a better community of health through partnership. Dr. Christopher Tremewan, Secretary General of Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), and Christina Schönleber, APRU’s Senior Director (Policy & Programs), extended their thanks to Zhejiang University in the online welcome remarks and called on joint efforts in shaping higher education, creating global student leaders and solving Asia-Pacific challenges.
As a special keynote speaker, Professor LI Lanjuan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, shared her insights and experiences in cultivating medical students with knowledge, ability, quality and value.
In the keynote speeches, Professor LIANG Wannian, Executive Vice Dean, Tsinghua University Vanke School of Public Health, Professor Jane Gunn, Dean, The University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Professor WANG Weimin, Vice President, Peking University Health Science Center, Professor Kevin Tan Shyong-Wei, Vice-Dean, National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, explored opportunities and challenges for higher medical education in the post-COVID era.
Jointly hosted by Zhejiang University (ZJU) and Association of Pacific Rim Universities, exclusively organized by ZJU School of Medicine and the Second Affiliated Hospital of ZJU School of Medicine, and supported by ZJU Office of Global Engagement, the Forum was composed of the roundtable discussion, the young scholar forum and two sessions focusing on medical education and scientific research. Participants exchanged perspectives and experiences on diverse topics ranging from infectious disease prevention and control, digital health, future healthcare to international collaboration as well as lessons learned from the pandemic.