For over a century, the University of Melbourne has connected with Chinese universities to increase the quality, output and impact of teaching programs and research to solve shared problems in the Asia Pacific region, and beyond.
One of these enduring partnerships has been with Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University in Beijing, where academics and researchers from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) have enjoyed longstanding relationships with their counterparts at Tsinghua Medicine to advance research in medicine, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology and medical education.
Supporting Tsinghua Medicine's goal to transform medicine and healthcare in China
Since 2013, a signature program of the MDHS-Tsinghua collaboration has been an intensive two-year Master of Research program (MRes) offered by the Melbourne Medical School and supported by funding from the China Scholarship Council.
Each year this tailored masters program offers up to eight Doctor of Medicine, and five Pharmaceutical Sciences students from Tsinghua University the opportunity to undertake research for a year at the University of Melbourne. At the conclusion of their research-intensive study at Melbourne, students return to Tsinghua to complete their clinical training.
The experience supports Tsinghua students to gain high-level research skills and experience in addition to their clinical training. Graduates have contributed to numerous research initiatives, including insights that impact prevention and treatment of serious illnesses and contributions to publications in internationally-renowned journals.
Delivering positive impacts in medical research and practice for stroke patients
Ziyuan Chen, a graduate of the MDHS-Tsinghua program, is now working at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, exemplifies the positive impact his experience has delivered, not just for his home country but globally. During his year-long stay in Melbourne in 2014 to 2016 under the supervision of Melbourne Medical School- researcher, Professor Bernard Yan. Chen Ziyuan was first author of an impactful study published in the widely read and highly cited journal Neurology (Impact factor 8.8).
Approximately 10 per cent of stroke patients develop epilepsy after hospitalisation. Chen Ziyuan’s research proved the effectiveness of rapid stroke treatment in significantly decreasing the incidence of epilepsy, leading to improved outcomes for patients and providing insights into the additional benefits of rapid stroke treatment.
Confirming ongoing commitment to support international education and research
During a high-level delegation to China in 2023 led by former Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell, the University of Melbourne formally renewed its partnership with the China Scholarship Council for a combined investment of up to A$75 million.
The partnership renewal guarantees ongoing co-funding of scholarships for top-ranking Chinese graduates to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne. With the funding now guaranteed until 2027, the scholarship covers tuition fees, airfares, health cover, visa application fees and living costs.