On the morning of June 19, the 2023 "Belt and Road" Nursing Deans Forum, organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) School of Nursing, was successfully held. The Forum aimed to facilitate academic exchanges and international cooperation among top nursing institutions in "Belt and Road" countries and regions by bringing together distinguished nursing deans to share the current state, past experiences and future challenges of nursing education. Five nursing deans from Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Hong Kong, and Beijing respectively were invited to give keynote speeches. The Forum was moderated by ZHU Bingqian, Associate Dean of SJTU School of Nursing. Dr. ZHENG Junke,Vice Chancellor of SJTU School of Medicine, gave the opening speech. Dr. FANG Qiong, Associate Dean ofSJTU School of Nursing,delivered the closing remarks. The forum was live-streamed, with nearly 2,000 people attended online.
Vice ChancellorZHENG Junke delivered an opening speech at the forum and warmly welcomed the experts and scholars attending the event. He pointed out that 2023 marked the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Over the past decade, the BRI has become a well-recognized program for international collaboration. As highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the world has reached a consensus on the importance of Nursing, with nurses making tremendous contributions to human health. Meanwhile, the global nursing community faces common challenges ahead. It is hoped that the forum would serve as an opportunity to share insights on the current state, past experiences, and future challenges in the development of nursing, collectively shaping the future of the profession.
During the main session, five nursing deans delivered keynote speeches on "Innovative Strategies for High-quality Development of the Nursing Discipline". Dr. Engle Angela Chan, Interim Head of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Nursing, underscored the importance of fostering faculty growth and student learning through diverse methods and approaches to advance the discipline. From a leadership perspective, she shared insightful views on talent acquisition and cultivation, which includes both faculty and student recruitment. Dr.Eui Geum OH, Dean of Yonsei University College of Nursing in Korea, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the institution's mission and vision, faculty size, key research areas, and strategic development planning. In addition, she discussed methods for fostering collaborative development between the College and its affiliated hospitals. Dr. SHANG Shaomei, Dean of Peking University School of Nursing, delivered a comprehensive analysis on nurturing innovative nursing talents in the context of medical sciences in the new era. She explored the new requirements and training strategies for nursing talents under the Healthy China initiative. The presentation also spotlighted the School's efforts and achievements in interdisciplinary integration. Dr. Thanee Kaewthummanukul, Dean of Chiang Mai University Faculty of Nursing, Thailand, gave a presentation on improving the discipline's reputation and rankings. He shared the institution's strategic plan for 2023-2027 and reviewed what has been achieved in improving the quality of Nursing education. Concluding the keynote session, Dr. Sok Ying Liaw, Director of National University of Singapore Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, outlined the key milestones of the institution. She introduced the doctoral, master's, and undergraduate programs offered, as well as the resources available to students and faculty. She also highlighted several research centers and their respective heads and teams.
The Deans Forum provided a unique opportunity for the local Nursing community to exchange with renowned nursing deans from BRI countries and regions. The questions from the audience reflected their passion for the Nursing field and their sincere hopes for the advancement of Nursing education. The Forum also shed light on discipline development and future planning for the SJTU School of Nursing. Moving forward, the School will actively embrace the "One Health" concept, promote reform through innovation, and drive development through reform. Through interdisciplinary integration, the School aims to cultivate high-level, professional and versatile nursing talents capable of meeting the health management needs of the entire population throughout the life cycle.
In closing, Associate Dean FANG Qiong summarized the Forum and thanked the participating deans for their valuablecontributions. The three-hour event offered a wealth of insights, and left participants inspired for further engagement.The Forum served as both an academic and cultural exchange, addressing both common challenges and region-specific issues. The exchanges and discussions provided important perspectives for the future development of the SJTU School of Nursing. Lastly, on behalf of the school, she warmly invited experts and scholars to visit Shanghai and join hands with the School, promoting deeper collaboration in talent cultivation, teaching, and research.
Source: School of Nursing
Correspondent: XIE Xin
