On May 16, a delegation from the University of Queensland (UQ), led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Global Engagement) Rongyu Li and Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Rowan, visited HUST. The “Medicine-Engineering Interdisciplinary Academic and Research Innovation Roundtable” was held at the Tongji Medical College of HUST. Zhang Yonghui, member of the University Standing Committee, Vice President of HUST, and Chair of of Tongji Medical College, attended the meeting online. The meeting was chaired by Qin Xuanbin, Vice Chair of of Tongji Medical College.

Professor Zhang Yonghui warmly welcomed the UQ delegation. He emphasized that UQ is a key Australian partner for HUST and noted the two universities’ common strengths in biomedical materials, neuroscience, medical devices, and AI diagnostics. He expressed hope that the two sides would deepen interdisciplinary collaboration, especially in areas related to healthy ageing. Leveraging the opportunities presented by the construction of Junshan International Campus, the universities aim to jointly establish a research institute, promote scientific research and industry-academia-research collaboration, and jointly tackle global challenges through cutting-edge scientific and technological cooperation.

Professor Rongyu Li expressed gratitude for HUST’s warm welcome. He pointed out that both China and Australia are facing increasingly severe ageing populations and associated challenges. HUST boasts outstanding strengths in medicine, engineering, and infrastructure resources, while UQ has clear advantages in ageing research, translational medicine, and technology transfer. He hoped that the two universities would work closely together, leverage respective strengths, establish joint research platforms, and achieve breakthrough results to benefit both societies.

Professor Chen Gang, Director of Research at Tongji Medical College, and Professor Alan Rowan respectively introduced the latest disciplinary development and research strengths of both universities, as well as their plans and visions for the joint institute.

Leaders from HUST’s School of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Health Management, Institute of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing, School of Basic Medicine, School of Public Health, Tongji Hospital, Union Hospital, and Liyuan Hospital held in-depth discussions on strengthening academic and scientific research cooperation, establishing faculty and student exchange mechanisms, launching joint degree programs, and jointly training high-level talent.

During the visit, the delegation toured HUST’s International Education and Scientific Innovation Campus (Junshan International Campus), Translational Medicine Building, International Medical Innovation Center, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, and more. Professor Alan Rowan also held seminars with the School of Life Science and Technology, Union Hospital, and the School of Pharmacy, delivered a special academic lecture, and reached consensus on further strengthening collaboration in education and research.

Founded in 1909, UQ is a member of the Group of Eight and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, UQ is ranked 40th globally. For the second consecutive year, it has been named Australia’s Best University by the Australian Financial Review (2024). Its top disciplines include clinical and health sciences, life sciences, and engineering and technology. HUST and UQ established an institutional partnership in 2004 and renewed International Cooperation Agreement in 2023.

Written and Edited by: Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng