UNMC is working collaboratively with several Chinese universities to support the global advancement of the profession of physical therapy.

Locations of signed collaboration agreements include:

• Tongji University, Shanghai (2014)
• Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing (2016)
• West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu (2016)
• Capital Medical University, Beijing (2017)
• Chang Gung University, Taiwan (2018)

In October of 2018, on behalf of UNMC, PT program director, Joseph Norman, PhD, and PT faculty, Joseph Siu, PhD, signed an agreement with Dr. Ya-Ju Chang, PT department head, Chang Gung University, to establish collaboration in PT education and research.

Signing ceremony at Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan

In early 2017, Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, signed an agreement with Dr. Zhaofeng Lu, president of Capital Medical University, to establish collaboration in fields such as Allied Health, Dentistry, and Public Health. In June 2017, our summer physical therapy education program, SPECS, was included in this agreement.

Signing ceremony at Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

In October of 2016, PT program director, Joe Norman, PhD, and PT faculty, Kathy Volkman, Joseph Siu, PhD, Nikki Sleddens, and Betsy Becker, accompanied Kyle Meyer, PhD, dean of the College of Allied Health Professions, to China:

• Oct 22 - hosted the first Sino-US Physical Therapy Education Symposium at Tongji University, Shanghai
• Oct 24 - signed agreement with Dr. Jianan Li, dean of the School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing Medical University
• Oct 26 - signed agreement with Dr. Xuehong Wan, Vice-President of West China Hospital, Sichuan University

These agreements recognize the importance of mutual collaboration in physical therapy education and research. Faculty and/or students from both parties will be encouraged to develop collaborative projects and exchange materials, information, and publications if jointly agreed.