Medicine and Surgery: in China to explore the future

Weeks of training, clinical placements, and invaluable exposure to the academic, biomedical, and healthcare ecosystems of a region at the forefront of global innovation: this was the experience of numerous students enrolled on the degree programme in Medicine and Surgery at Università Cattolica during the month of July. This was made possible by collaboration agreements signed with Sichuan University and West China Hospital in Chengdu, as well as with Wenzhou Medical University and its affiliated hospitals.

In July, nine fourth- and fifth-year students from the degree programme took part in a two-week Summer School on the Chengdu Campus of Sichuan University, supported by a generous scholarship from West China Hospital. Augusto Pasquini, Silvio Di Franco, Lorenzo Panza, Ahmed Esayed, Yasemin Tanyu, Iris-Maria Mangalagiu, Reza Khorsand, Vishwak Moorthy and Mohammed Baiju completed a one-week intensive programme in Traditional Chinese Medicine followed by a week of training at the Simulation Centre.

Notably, Ahmed Esayed was chosen to represent all participating international students (hailing from 13 different global institutions) and was selected to deliver a speech at the Summer School’s opening ceremony. Yasemin Tanyu won first prize in the academic poster presentation for medical students with her research on cardiovascular disease in women. Lorenzo Panza and Augusto Pasquini were invited to share their perspectives on global medical education with the local media. Over the following two weeks, students completed practical clinical rotations across various departments, ranging from Surgery to Internal Medicine and Ophthalmology.

On 21 July, Professor Giovanni Gambassi, coordinator of the degree programme, visited the students in Chengdu and chaired a meeting with their academic tutors and supervisors, during which the students expressed their gratitude to the University for such a rewarding and valuable experience.