A journey across mountains and seas brought participants together in pursuit of clearer vision. From July 13 to 26, the “Side by Sight: Med+X Innovation in Pediatric Ophthalmology” international summer school successfully concluded in Shanghai. The program was jointly organized by the International Affairs Division of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC) affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM), and the Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital affiliated with SJTUSM. Young clinicians, medical students, and engineering innovators from eight countries across three continents gathered in Shanghai for a two-week immersive program combining frontier academic lectures, clinical visits, med-tech innovation workshops, community service activities, and cultural immersion. The program has laid a long-term foundation for international collaboration in pediatric ophthalmology and “Med+X” interdisciplinary innovation.
The “Side by Sight” program, a flagship of SJTU’s International Summer School, is led by Professor Zhou Huifang, Secretary of the CPC Committee of SCMC and Professor of Ophthalmology at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital. Dr. Li Jipeng of Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital and student Kris serve as teaching assistants. Built around the core concept of Med+X, where Med represents clinical medicine and X encompasses engineering, artificial intelligence, surgical robotics, gene therapy, imaging, brain–computer interfaces, and other emerging disciplines, the program focuses on children’s vision health as a global public health priority. It brings together clinical medicine and cutting-edge technology, advancing the belief that physicians and engineers can work side by side to shape the future of pediatric eye care.
I. Four in One Case Based Teaching That Integrates Theory, Clinical Practice, Scientific Innovation, and Public Service
The two-week curriculum consisted of four major modules, frontier lectures, hospital and med-tech enterprise visits, friendly competitions, and Chinese cultural immersion, providing comprehensive empowerment for global youths in interdisciplinary innovation. The program brought together leading experts from China and abroad to deliver eight high-level sessions covering cutting-edge areas such as global epidemiology of pediatric eye diseases, AI-powered ophthalmic diagnostics, digital planning for surgical robotics, gene therapy for ocular disorders, brain–computer visual interfaces, and MRI-based ophthalmic imaging. These sessions provided a systematic overview of emerging technological directions across the full continuum of pediatric eye-care innovation, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, helping participants build a comprehensive Med+X knowledge framework that bridges clinical medicine with engineering and advanced technologies.
II. Mobile Classrooms Enabling Immersive Exposure to Advanced Diagnostic and Treatment Systems
Students visited two major clinical bases, SCMC and the Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, to observe standardized diagnostic and treatment pathways for pediatric eye diseases and orbital disorders. They also toured leading med-tech enterprises, gaining close exposure to translational innovations such as surgical robots, AI-powered imaging systems, and minimally invasive ophthalmic instruments. These experiences helped students build a complete understanding of the lab-to-clinic-to-industry pathway, strengthening their grasp of how medical technologies evolve from research to clinical application and ultimately to industrial deployment.
III. Interdisciplinary Innovation Challenge,Sparking Med+X Creativity
The program concluded with an interdisciplinary innovation challenge featuring two tracks: science communication works and innovative medical solutions. Teams competed around three core themes—AI-powered diagnostics and precision medicine, surgical robotics and digital planning, and novel sensing technologies and brain–computer visual restoration. Drawing on the knowledge gained over the two-week program, each team designed creative solutions addressing key clinical challenges in pediatric ophthalmology. They delivered a 10-minute project presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A session. The judging panel evaluated submissions across multiple dimensions, including innovation value, clinical feasibility, and entrepreneurial potential. Outstanding teams received special recognition, and several proposals demonstrated strong potential for future translational development in pediatric eye-care innovation.
IV. Deep Cultural Immersion in Shanghai: Building Bridges for Cross Civilizational Exchange
Alongside the academic program, students participated in a series of Chinese cultural immersion activities, including campus tours at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, visits to iconic city landmarks, traditional folk culture experiences, and a Chinese cultural banquet. They explored Shanghai’s signature attractions such as the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and Lujiazui, experiencing firsthand the unique blend of traditional Chinese architecture and a modern innovation driven metropolis. Through these cross cultural interactions, students bridged cognitive gaps and forged lasting international academic friendships.
Wang Chunming, Director of the International Affairs Office at SJTUSM, expressed his gratitude to all partners and participants, and shared his message with the students: “I hope this summer school becomes a new starting point for advancing international cooperation in medical education and youth talent development. We warmly welcome you to return to China and to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine for further study. May we grow together and shape the future through mutual learning and exchange.”
V. Looking Ahead: Building Bridges through Vision and Deepening International Medical Collaboration
The successful conclusion of this International Summer School marks an important milestone in SJTUSM’s efforts to advance the internationalization of medical education and promote Sino-foreign medical cooperation under the “Health Silk Road” initiative. Moving forward, the organizers will continue refining and upgrading the program, expanding partnerships with global universities, clinical institutions, and med-tech enterprises, and further cultivating the Med+X innovation ecosystem in pediatric ophthalmology to build a summer program with broader international impact.
Leveraging the global network of young ophthalmology talents established through this initiative, the organizers will also promote transnational joint research, academic forums, and two-way talent exchanges. With children’s vision health as a shared mission, the program aims to unite global medical and engineering communities to safeguard a brighter future for the next generation. Together we protect children’s sight; together we shape the future. We look forward to welcoming young scholars from around the world back to Shanghai next summer for the next chapter of Med+X innovation.
VI. Student Feedback
“The 2-week “Side by Sight” International Summer School at Shanghai Jiao Tong University was an unforgettable journey. I discovered my passion for ophthalmology even more, learned so much, and felt truly welcomed by everyone’s kindness and support.”
Nadia Daneshi, from Iran
“The summer school, through a rich array of academic lectures, clinical practice sessions, and interdisciplinary exchanges, sparked our curiosity in cutting-edge pediatric ophthalmology research, strengthened our critical thinking and innovation capacity, and broadened our international horizons. It has brought new inspiration for our future medical studies and scientific exploration.”
Adon Aidan, from India
“This program has broadened my perspective on how innovative medical technology has become and given me unforgettable friendships and lasting memories.”
Ciela Zhang, from USA
“Joining this program has been a valuable experience for me. I learned more about China’s advanced technology and gained new perspectives. It encouraged me to keep working toward my dream of becoming a pediatrician.”
Zin Nwe Saint, from Myanmar
“The Side by Sight summer school was an inspiring and unforgettable experience. As a medical student with a growing interest in ophthalmology, I was excited to learn more about pediatric ophthalmology and the role of innovation in medicine. I am very grateful to the committee for organizing this wonderful experience and for the opportunity to meet inspiring people and make lasting memories in Shanghai!”
Angela Li, from the Netherlands
