2011-07-07

In June 2011, a SUMC delegation led by Vice Dean Dongyang Huang visited Groningen University in The Netherlands. The purpose of the visit, the first official SUMC visit to Groningen University, was to enhance mutual understanding and friendship among the two partners and to boost the implementation of the joint PhD program which was incorporated last year when a high-level delegation from Groningen visited SUMC.

On Thursday 9 June, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Prof. Han Moshage, Director of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, who also oversees the implementation of the joint PhD program at Groningen University. After a basic introduction by Prof. Moshage about the Medical College and the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the delegation met with several senior leaders and researchers during a tour around the medical center. Afterwards, the two sides had dinner together at the invitation of the President of Groningen University, Prof. Sybrand Poppema, and the Dean of the Medical College, Prof. Folkert Kuipers.

The high-level exchange continued the following day with tours around Groningen University's clinical facilities and research labs, and in-depth introductions and exchanges on individual research streams covered by the joint program. The delegation also met with one of the PhD candidate from SUMC, the first one to have arrived in Groningen for the Dutch leg of the joint PhD program. All in all, the visit was a great success and another important step towards long-term and fruitful cooperation between the two partners.

Groningen University (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) is a leading research university in Europe. Founded in 1614, it is one of the oldest universities and medical faculties in the Netherlands. It has a large international network and an excellent reputation for academic teaching using an advanced, student-oriented approach. For more information about the University of Groningen and the University Medical Center Groningen, please click here.