From July 17^th 2023, Shenzhen University (SZU) hosted a 5-day International Summer School of Molecular Medicine. The aim of this summer school was to bring together international students from world-renowned institutions to promote close cooperation and exchanges between universities in China and Central Asia. A total of 29 students from Kazakhstan, Japan and the United States participated in the school that was based at the Lihu campus. Most students were affiliated with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KAZNU), which is ranked 150 in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The summer school was considered the first substantial progress between SZU and KAZNU after a Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities was signed on May 19^th 2023 during the the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an.

Professor Xingzhi Xu, Executive Dean of Shenzhen University Medical School, chaired the opening ceremony.

Prof. Xingzhi Xu, Executive Dean of Shenzhen University Medical School, chaired the opening ceremony on July 17^th. He briefly introduced the development of Shenzhen, the young city that is regarded as China’s first Special Economic Zone and a key city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. SZU is distinctively known as an Experimental University in higher education, with its reforms in the sector acknowledged in Mainland China.

As part of the summer school program, students enjoyed lectures delivered by distinguished professors in impactful fields, including Genetic Instability and Disease (Prof. Xingzhi Xu, Prof. Shunichi Takeda), Aging and Metabolic Diseases (Prof. Baohua Liu, Prof. Jie Liu), Infection and Immunity (Prof. Xinchun Chen, Associate Prof. Xue Liu) and Nanomedicine (Prof. Peng Huang, Prof. Huayan Yang). The participating students also visited laboratories in the SZU Medical School, and gained hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies, learning how to monitor the live recruitment dynamics of DNA damage response protein to DNA lesions, or perform real time energy metabolism assays in live cells using an Agilent Seahorse XF.

Snapshots of some of the engaging lectures that were delivered in English

Participating students enjoyed laboratory tours and hands-on exposure to key technologies

The participating students also explored the SZU Yuehai Campus, the China National GeneBank and the Shenzhen Talent Park. They were greatly impressed by the beautiful environment of SZU, the advanced nature of the facilities, and the "harmonious coexistence of man and nature" design concept of the China National GeneBank.

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Images from the Shenzhen city tour

The students seemed greatly impressed by Shenzhen and SZU. TAIYR ALTYNAY from Kazakhstan shared "I like the modernity of Shenzhen, especially the public transportation system and facilities such as large shopping malls." Meanwhile, ALIDA SATUBALDINA from Kazakhstan commented that "Shenzhen University is a young, beautiful university, with a high level of teaching facilities and a disciplinary construction." TOMOKI SHIRAKAWA, a student from Japan, has some feelings about Chinese culture, "China and Japan have similar cultural backgrounds, and I feel the charm of Chinese culture here." Several students expressed their desire to apply to a PhD program at SZU after graduation.

Closing speeches and awards ceremony

At the closing ceremony, student representatives shared their experiences before Prof. Xingzhi Xu and Prof. Shunichi Takeda presented certificates to the students. Prof. Xingzhi Xu expressed his delight at the success of the summer school, which marked a great achievement for the internationalization of the SZU Medical School, and expressed his desire for more outstanding students from all over the world to participate in the summer school at SZU in 2024.

Group photos of the 2023 International Summer School of Molecular Medicine