SSMU has a tradition of having international academic exchange activities with foreign institutions. After many years’ efforts, especially after Reforming and Opening To The Outside, international exchange of SSMU has greatly expanded. These exchanges are high-level, effective, extensive, influential, people-to –people contacts.

SSMU presently cooperates with 29 universities from 10 countries. There are 227 foreign scholars who have worked as honorary professors, foreign consultants and visiting professors for SSMU. SSMU has held 238 international academic conferences of great significance and it also formed extensive relationships with WHO, the UN Population Foundation, and Project HOPE. Every year, about 1,500 experts, professors, directors of international academic organizations, government officials, and other medical professionals visit SSMU. Since 1980, SSMU has received 39,364 foreign guests including the former French Premier Mr. Eduard Baladur, and the wife of former American President Clinton.

From 1954-2001, SSMU has sent 5,542 people to 5 continents to attend International Academy Conferences, visiting, investigating, doing advanced studying, giving lectures and science research. Many professors of the university have been awarded honorary titles in foreign countries. For example: Professor Kuang An-Kun, Professor Wang Zhen-Yi, Professor Wang Yi-Fei , Professor Li Hong-Wei and Professor Chen Zhu received the “French Legion of Honor”; Professor Shi Ji-Xiang received Irvins prize from American Burns Association; Professor Wang Zhen-Yi received the “Outstanding Doctor Prize” from France, the “Kettering Prize”-the most prestigious international prize for cancer research and the CRB Prize from Switzerland; Professor Chen Zhu received the
L’oise Prize from the French Cancer Foundation; professor Cao Yi-Lin received “James. Barrit Brown Prize” from America.

Since 1976, there have been 206 foreign students from 46 countries came to SSMU for more study.

International exchanges have help SSMU expand the international influence, raise SSMU’s quality of training, and the level of medical care, education, research and management.