Lauded medical expert shares dream of future to students at Hainan Medical University

For Chen, at age 60, he still lives his dream. He was vice president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and dean of its School of Medicine. Moving from Shanghai to Hainan province, Chen said, he was ready to start a new chapter in his life. In the next ten years, he plans to devote his life to the development of the 76-year-old Hainan Medical University, and medical services in Hainan.

"I not only aim to build up the strength and open up a new situation for the university, but also want to cultivate a batch of high-quality medical talents and help the soft environment construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port," said Chen.

He believed that the construction of a high-level international medical university in Hainan is important for the free trade port, the nation and the world.

"Constructing the Hainan Free Trade Port is a major national strategy, and medical services and education are key factors in attracting and retaining high-quality talents to the free trade port," he explained.

Hainan Medical University has the largest international student population in the province. It initiated the Belt and Road Tropical Medical Alliance, which was established in 2018.

"As a primary hub along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Hainan is pioneering the country's high-level opening up. If our university improves overall educational quality and facilities, we will draw more international students from the Belt and Road countries, especially from Southeast Asia," Chen said.

Daring to change, as Chen put it, is the greatest challenge of change. He called for faculty and students to take the initiative to make changes. "Only with changes can we break new ground, and only with changes can we improve ourselves, our future, our university, our country and even the world," he said.