On the afternoon of January 8, 2024, Nanjing Medical University (NMU) and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) entered into a strategic cooperation agreement. The signing ceremony took place at NUAA, attended by prominent figures including Shan Zhongde, Secretary of the CPC NUAA Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; President Jiang Bin; Vice President Wu Qihui of NUAA; and NMU counterparts Lan Qing, Hu Zhibin, Feng Feng, Gu Min, and Shen Ruilin, alongside relevant department and college leaders from both institutions. President Jiang Bin of NUAA presided over the ceremony.
Secretary Shan Zhongde extended a warm welcome to the NMU delegation and highlighted how NUAA has committed to President Xi Jinping’s entrust by upholding its educational characteristics in aviation, aerospace and civil aviation, deepening its tie with partners, and integrating scientific advancements with talent-cultivation. He praised this medical-and-engineering cooperation as a significant step towards mutual growth in cutting-edge scientific areas. Mr. Shan viewed this signing as a crucial initiative to better advance science and technology, nurture talents, and drive innovation, aligning perfectly with national strategies in health and education. He also encourages two parties to explore new mechanisms and new models of interdisciplinary fusion between medicine and engineering, where high-level faculty sharing, talent cultivation, joint project participation, platform construction, and resource sharing are possible.
Party Secretary Lan Qing of NMU highlighted in his speech the university's commitment to implementing the spirit of CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping’s address on the construction of the “Four News” (new engineering, new medicine, new agriculture, and new liberal arts) , particularly emphasizing the advancement of “new medical science”. NUAA, with its long history and profound cultural heritage, plays a crucial role in the development of the national aviation industry. The frequent interactions and exchanges between NMU and NUAA have laid a solid foundation for collaboration. In today’s era of promoting the application and development of modern science and technology in health services, both universities share a common vision and ample opportunities for strategic development and the fusion of medicine and engineering. The signing of this strategic cooperation agreement signifies a significant step towards serving national strategies and regional high-quality development. It is expected that by leveraging our respective strengths and resources, NMU and NUAA will focus on key areas of collaboration,, deepen their partnership, and achieve tangible results that contribute to regional economic and social progress, as well as the advancement of higher education at a national level.
President Hu Zhibin of NMU emphasized the significance of NUAA as a key institution for nurturing top-tier aviation professionals in China. The enduring bond between the two universities has been solidified through extensive exchange and dialogues. The recent signing of the strategic cooperation agreement is a testament to both parties' commitment to the "four orientations," deepened exchanges, mutual learning, and the exploration of the synergistic integration of disciplines to drive advancements in life health and high-quality new industrialization. This agreement serves as a proactive step towards accelerating the integrated and coordinated development of the Yangtze River Delta region. It is anticipated that NUAA and NMU will view this collaboration as a promising beginning, leveraging their respective strengths in discipline development, scientific innovation, and talent cultivation to establish a pioneering model of inter-school cooperation in the region. Together, we aim to contribute to the establishment of a healthier China, a technologically advanced nation, and a hub for talented individuals.
President Jiang Bin of NUAA emphasized that NUAA and NMU are esteemed "Double First-Class" universities in the fields of engineering and medicine respectively, both under the guidance of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. Both universities are entrusted with the vital mission of advancing the fusion of medicine and engineering. The recent signing of the strategic cooperation framework agreement signifies a significant milestone in their collaboration. It is anticipated that both universities will adhere to the outlined "four orientations" and uphold the principles of "resource sharing, complementary advantages, and win-win cooperation." Through this agreement, they aim to deepen exchanges and collaboration in interdisciplinary fusion and resource sharing, thereby fostering the high-quality development of both universities.
The ceremony concluded with Vice President Wu Qihui of NUAA and Vice President Feng Feng of NMU signing the strategic cooperation agreement.
After the signing ceremony, participants from both universities delved into detailed discussions and exchanges on topics including innovative development at the intersection of medical and engineering disciplines, collaborative research projects, and the training of talents and faculty teams.
[Drafted by Zheng Tingyu; Photographs by NUA; Reviewed by Hawei Chao and Yu Baolong；Translated by Jia Liuquan]
