Why Study Medicine at Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, China
Brief Introduction
Overview of Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine
Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine (SYSU-SOM) was established in 1866. As the oldest school of western medicine of China, SYSU-SOM is proud to stand among the top nationwide. SYSU-SOM owns the largest comprehensive healthcare system in China, including 5 general and 3 specialized hospitals and 13 branch community hospitals with over 11,000 beds, 13 million outpatient visits and 200,000 hospitalized surgeries every year. The institution stands as a leader in medical and scientific education/training, biomedical research and patient care in the country and enjoys high reputation at home and abroad, especially in Southeast Asia.
Zhongshan's reputation for quality education, science innovation and social services have attracted an outstanding and diverse teacher and student bodies with over 18,000 full-time faculties and clinicians, and 8,915 medical and health sciences undergraduates and post-graduate students including over 400 international students from 28 countries. SYSU-SOM also has high-quality medical education resources and the best medical degree candidates. Meanwhile, the medical students have won the first prize in the National Competition of Clinical Skills for Medical college students for all three consecutive years.
1. Long History and Development Phases
Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine originated in 1957. It can be dated back to Boji Medical School founded in 1866 -- the oldest school of western medicine established in China. The history of the school can be generally divided into 3 phases.
The first phase: from establishing Boji Medical School to pre- school-department adjustments during the early post-liberation period (1866~1953).
During this period, the medical education had gradually developed from independent education to medical education run by comprehensive university, ---- It began with the Medical School found by Boji Hospital in 1866, then integrated into Lingnan University along with the Hospital and re-established as Lingnan University Medical School. Soon afterwards, private-run Hackett Medical College was merged into it.
Another significant headstream of Zhongshan School of Medicine is Guangdong Public Medical School which was established in 1909. It evolved into Guangdong Public Medical University, which was subsequently incorporated into State-run Guangdong University and developed into Medical College of Guangdong University. Later on, the official name was change into Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University.
The second phase: from school-department adjustments during the early post-liberation period to pre-amalgamation of two colleges. (1953-2001)
Along with the school-department adjustments of the National Higher Education System, the College entered into the phase of independently-run medical education:
In 1953, Lingnan University Medical College and Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University were merged into South China Medical College. Then Guangdong Guanghua Medical School merged into it.
Thereafter, The South China Medical College changed its name consecutively as Guangzhou Medical School (in 1956), Zhongshan Medicine School (in 1957), and Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences (in 1985). Meanwhile, the preclinical medical school was founded.
In this stage, a rather perfect educational system of Western medicine was established, and the school held a good number of the masters and the famous experts who had tremendous influence both at home and abroad. The teaching, scientific research and medical service developed outstandingly.
It became the highest medical institution in Central South China and one of the six key medical colleges and universities in China.
The third phase: from the amalgamation of two colleges until now (2001 ~ now)
In pace with the reform of management system of the National Higher Medical Education, the medical education run by comprehensive university was revived.
The former Sun Yat-sen University and the former Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Science were amalgamated to form the new Sun Yat-sen University. And the Zhongshan School of Medicine of SYSU was found. Since then, our college had entered a brand-new phase of development.
At present, Zhongshan School of Medicine keeps a leading edge in disciplinary development, scientific research, talents cultivating, laboratory scale and apparatus among its counterparts in China.
It has become a renowned academic institute both at home and abroad for basic medical instruction, scientific research and technological development, with diverse branches of learning, superior infrastructure as well as abundant personnel in teaching and research.
2. Discipline Construction and Achievements
Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine maintains a leading position in the fields of endocrinology, nephrology, neurology, general surgery, otolaryngology, toxicology, pharmacology and pathogenic biology, especially the best Oncology and Ophthalmology programs in China. A number of medical disciplines such as Clinical Medicine, Biology & Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Neuroscience & Behavior and Microbiology have been ranked top 1% in the world by the ESI system. Two State Key Laboratories (Cancer, Ophthalmology) and 1 National Center for Drug Clinical Research Trials are three national level research centers accredited to SYSU. With over 151 million dollars government research funding annually and over a thousand internationally published papers, including those published in Cell, Science, NEJM, Nature Medicine, Lancet and other top journals, SYSU-SOM represents one of the best research-oriented medical education institution in the country and continuously contributes to improving human health by scientific innovation and producing high-quality graduates.
3. Medical Programs - MBBS & International Students
In 2006, for the first time, the Sun Yat-sen University enrolled a total of 101 foreign students majoring in clinical medicine with five-year full English teaching. They were mainly from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc. Their curriculum, training requirements and quality control were in line with those for Chinese students, but in full English teaching. Specifically, the university opened courses of Chinese, Medical Chinese etc. for MBBS students, which were taught by selected excellent teachers; besides, outstanding Chinese students from eight-year educational system were chosen as teaching assistants to help MBBS students to solve difficulties in study. After three and a half years of theoretical study, six months of clinical clerkship and one year of internship in one of the affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University, the majority was capable of completing all courses and passed the graduation exam. 81 students met the requirements set by “Detailed Regulations of Sun Yat-sen University on Bachelor's Degrees" and got a degree.
In 2007, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine enrolled 95 MBBS students. After five years of study, 91 students met the requirements and got a degree.
The enrollment was suspended in 2008, 2009 and 2010. During this period, drawing lessons from the past, the university improved the teaching quality for MBBS students by exploring ways from different perspectives, including optimizing curriculum, building excellent courses, editing English-language teaching materials, training teachers, innovating teaching quality monitoring mechanism, establishing English training courses and so on. After three years’ efforts, Zhongshan School of Medicine gradually established a quality assurance system for MBBS students and achieved some improvements.
In 2011, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine re-enrolled MBBS students, but the five-year educational system had been changed into one of six years. Up to 2013, there were 119 clinical undergraduates in full English classes (including 2011 Batch and 2012 Batch), representing a proportion of 6.6 % among all international students in the university. Those students are mainly from India (43, 36%), Thailand (21, 18%), Mauritius (18, 15%), Malaysia (9, 8%), Nepal (9, 8%), and other countries (18, 15%).
"Chinese Society and Culture"
In line with the teaching arrangements of "Chinese Society and Culture", Sun Yat-sen University organizes MBBS students to participate in "the Guangzhou Cultural Study Tour" every year. The social practice activity aims to promote students to get a deep understanding of Chinese culture by means of visiting cultural sites which will make MBBS students capable of achieving a high integration into the Chinese social and cultural environment. Additionally, such an event provides opportunities for international students to communicate with Chinese students during the journey which can greatly enhance the atmosphere for communication between them. Last year in May, all MBBS students visited the Chen Clan Temple, Yuexiu Park, Zhongshan Memorial Hall, Whampoa Military Academy as well as other historical and cultural sites. This activity is beneficial for promoting a harmonious atmosphere on campus by helping MBBS students to exercise their body, relaxing their mind and strengthening their friendship.
The International Sports Event
In order to enrich extracurricular activities for MBBS students and improve their enthusiasm for exercises, Zhongshan School of Medicine will hold a month-long sports event in March every year. According to different preferences and habits, the event comprises of various sports, such as football, badminton, cricket, athletics and so on. All MBBS students are enthusiastic and show strong expectation to participate in this annual sports event. The International Sports Event can greatly enrich students' extracurricular life, train their physical ability, reinforce their willing and strengthen friendship between each other. Thus, the activity is given full support from the School.
After graduate
In general, the university keeps track of alumni by e-mail, greeting cards, etc. to inform them of recent events about the university; meanwhile, it shows concerns about their developments and achievements after graduation. The university tries to update contact information of alumni through various channels.
Few years after the graduation of MBBS student, the university has collected some facts. For example, there were 10 MBBS students from Sri Lanka who had passed the graduation exam and received the bachelor degree in 2011. 8 of them had attended the 2012 Sri Lanka National Medical Licensing Examination and 6 had passed, with 75% passing rate. It was reported that up to 900 graduates had participated in that examination but only 146 passed with 16.2% passing rate. Among all Chinese universities, Sun Yat-sen University ranked first with the highest passing rate.
4. Affiliated Hospitals
Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) Zhongshan School of Medicine owns the largest comprehensive healthcare system in China, including 5 general and 3 specialized hospitals and 13 branch community hospitals with over 11,000 beds, 13 million outpatient visits and 200,000 hospitalized surgeries every year. The 8 affiliated hospitals are the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital (the Second Affiliated Hospital), the Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Hospital of Stomatology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital and Guangdong Gastrointestinal Hospital(the Sixth Affiliated Hospital). The School of Medicine stands as a leader in medical and scientific education/training, biomedical research and patient care in the country and enjoys high reputation at home and abroad, especially in Southeast Asia.
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, originally known as the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Public Institution of Medicine, was founded in 1910 by Dr. Paul Jerome Todd (an American medical missionary) with 40 western doctors.
The Hospital is composed of the Headquarter, East Division and Huiya Hospital. The Huangpu Division mainly focuses on Orthopedics and traumatic first aid while the Dongshan Division mainly focuses on Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics.
The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University is an important base for research, medical service, medical education, preventive care and rehabilitation in South China. It is well known for its high quality and excellent service in China and Southeast Asia. For years, it has been recognized as the most reliable hospital in mainland China by Hong Kong residents.
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center
Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine Ophthalmic Center is the first and leading advanced ophthalmic center and the last resort for advanced eye care in China, integrating eye care, teaching, eye research and blindness prevention. It is also one of the 20 largest general ophthalmic centers in the world. In 2006, Sun Yat-sen University Ophthalmic Center was approved to be the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, the only one of its kind in China.
Sun Yat-sen University Ophthalmologic Center is ranked first in "Best Ophthalmologic Hospitals in China" rankings.
Global Partnership
Zhongshan School of Medicine has established stable co-operations in medical education and research with many internationally renowned institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, the Karolinska Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Birmingham University.
University of Hong Kong
Michigan State University
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp
Tzu Chi University School of Medicine
Khon Kaen University
Seoul University
Max Delbrüuck Center for Molecular Medicine
University of Salford
The final information is subject to the University If there is any discrepancy!
