2019-09-05

Ten postgraduate students from Shantou University Medical College (SUMC) undertook a four-week Winter School Program in Biomedical Research at the University of Western Australia (UWA) during July 29 to August 24, 2019. They were part of a delegation from China, which included postgraduate students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, Wenzhou Medical University and Zunyi Medical University. This is the tenth year SUMC sent its postgraduate students abroad for this training program. Winthrop Professor Ming Hao Zheng, Associate Dean (International), UWA Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, lectured to the students and instructed them in experimental skills personally.

In the first week, the students underwent theoretical studies at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in preparation for the follow-up training in research skills. In the next three weeks, the students were placed, based on their research interests and backgrounds, in several different laboratories for intensive research skills training, including Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Podiatric Medicine Center, Oral Health Centre, and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

On the last two days, the students were required to report on their studies over the past four weeks at UWA. At the end of the report meeting, certificates were awarded to the students by Professor Jeff Keelan, Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, and Professor Ming Hao Zheng, Associate Dean (International), UWA Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

During this visit, the students were lodging in some local families, allowing them to experience the local life and culture in Australia.

This one-month study experience has enabled the students to experience research at UWA, improve conceptual thinking on project design, scientific writing for research publication; and understand and be capable of performing techniques which are useful for their research work.