Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) commemorated the 20th anniversary of its School of Medicine on Tuesday, reflecting on two decades of transformative growth and innovation. The event celebrated the 2005 merger between SJTU and the former Shanghai Second Medical University, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for a world-class medical institution with distinct Chinese characteristics.
Yang Zhenbin, Party Secretary of SJTU, emphasized the university’s commitment to becoming a global leader in education and medical research. ‘We will continue to pursue excellence, embrace reform, and foster mutual empowerment between disciplines,’ he stated. The anniversary event highlighted the university’s achievements in interdisciplinary research, clinical innovation, and talent development.
One of the standout success stories shared was that of Xia Qiang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Renji Hospital. Xia recounted his journey of establishing the liver surgery department from scratch in 2004. Over the years, the department has grown into a major unit with seven wards, over 160 medical professionals, and a robust interdisciplinary platform. ‘The collaborative synergy between the university and its medical school has been instrumental in our growth,’ Xia remarked.
Zhou Yongfeng, Director of Research Management at SJTU, underscored the impact of the university’s medical-engineering interdisciplinary research fund. Since its inception, the fund has invested approximately 674 million yuan ($95 million) in over 2,000 projects, providing critical support to nearly 1,900 researchers. This initiative has significantly enhanced SJTU’s capabilities in translational medicine and original innovation.
Looking ahead, Yang outlined a strategic vision that balances structured support with institutional autonomy. He stressed the importance of leveraging SJTU’s multidisciplinary strengths to deepen integration between medicine and other academic fields. ‘Under our ‘big health’ framework, the School of Medicine will play a pivotal role in advancing basic medicine, pharmaceutical research, medical device development, and clinical applications,’ he said.
The anniversary celebration not only honored past achievements but also set the stage for future breakthroughs, positioning SJTU as a beacon of innovation in global medical education and research.