UNMC hosted the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) delegation led by Secretary-General Jianxue Sheng on May 29. During their short visit, Kai Fu, M.D., Ph.D., and Hannah Tong, Ph.D., from the Asia Pacific Rim Development Office (APRDP), provided a brief introduction of UNMC, its educational facilities and its international collaborations, including the various CSC programs.
The delegation visited the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the Sorrell Center and the iEXCEL Visualization Hub. They also had the chance to meet with current CSC-sponsored students on campus to hear about their programs and experiences here in Omaha.
In the afternoon, the CSC delegation met with Jennifer Larson, M.D., vice chancellor for research; Jane Meza, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for global engagement at UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha; Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions; and Keith Olsen, Pharm.D., dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy. Secretary-General Sheng expressed his appreciation with UNMC’s hospitality and was impressed by the facilities and the care for the students who are sponsored by the CSC.
He noted in his speech to UNMC leaders, “The CSC appreciates the UNMC leadership and their continued support for the CSC programs over the last decade. We have had more than 330 students and scholars receive their training at UNMC, and that is very significant. We would like to continue our friendship and collaborative relationship with UNMC by further expanding our existing professional and graduate degree programs and by exploring new opportunities. We think our collaborations are mutually beneficial and have long-term sustainability.”
Dr. Meza also noted, “CSC has been one of our best partners and supporters for international collaborations in the past decade. We would like to further strengthen our relationship with the organization. The Office of Global Engagement will do our best to recruit, enroll and provide academic support for our CSC-sponsored students.”
Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., also sent a letter to Secretary-General Sheng, stating, “We are delighted to host CSC-sponsored students, scholars and faculty in these programs. They are the ambassadors between UNMC, the U.S. and China and help to spread our mission of creating a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier education programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care. This would not happen without the support of the China Scholarship Council.”
Great example of health diplomacy based on a shared interest of health for our family and neighbors. And allows individuals to experience other nations and form their own relationships.
The UNMC and CSC relationship is one of the oldest and most productive international collaborations we have. Having the General Secretary lead a delegation to UNMC is a significant affirmation of this relationship.