On March 12, 2025, Dr. Kat Leung, Vice President of Saint Francis University, led a delegation to visit Southern Medical University. Dr. Leung and Professor Ma Li, Vice President of Southern Medical University, jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the formal establishment of a partnership between the two universities. The collaboration will focus on academic research, faculty exchange, student mobility, and other areas of mutual interest.
As one of Hong Kong's Universities of Applied Science, Saint Francis University is dedicated to nurturing talent who possess both profound knowledge and practical skills, and who are committed to contributing to the welfare of society. Currently, the university offers the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) degree programme and is the largest training institution for registered nurses in Hong Kong. In alignment with China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) development strategy, the university established the Office of Global and Mainland Engagement Division in 2024 to strengthen collaboration with higher education institutions in Mainland China, promote resource sharing, and foster regional cooperation, while cultivating high-quality professionals for society.
During the visit, representatives from Southern Medical University's Party Committee Office, University President's Office, Development Planning Division, Academic Affairs Division, Scientific Research Department, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office, Hospital Management Department, Graduate School, School of Nursing, and School of Rehabilitation Medicine participated in a symposium. Both universities engaged in in-depth discussions on student cultivation in disciplines such as Nursing, Artificial Intelligence, and Physiotherapy.
Meeting Scene
Southern Medical University, formerly known as the First Military Medical University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, was founded in 1951 and is one of China's key universities. In 2004, the university transitioned from military to provincial administration and was renamed Southern Medical University. It has campuses in Guangzhou and Shunde. As the only medical university among the first batch of high-level universities in Guangdong Province, the university excels in disciplines, education, faculty development, and scientific research. Its Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology disciplines rank in the top 0.5‰ globally according to ESI, and the university boasts a complete academic system, including 11 doctoral degree programmes and 16 master's degree programmes. Additionally, Southern Medical University operates 8 affiliated hospitals and collaborates with 9 partner hospitals, with its medical services and scientific research capabilities ranking among the top in China's medical universities.
This achievement marks a key milestone for both universities.. Saint Francis University will continue to deepen its partnership with Southern Medical University, working together to promote higher education in the Greater Bay Area and contribute to enhancing the quality of talent cultivation.
Group Photo of Representatives from Both Universities at the Signing Ceremony