In a vibrant display of international academic exchange and medical innovation, Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) successfully hosted the 3rd National Academic Forum for International Medical Students, under the theme “Study in Chongqing, Discover China.” This landmark event was organized in collaboration with M9, a premier network of nine top-tier Chinese medical universities collectively supported by the Ministry of Education, the National Health Commission, and provincial governments.

M9 members include Capital Medical University, Tianjin Medical University, China Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Southern Medical University, and Chongqing Medical University. Together, they aim to advance internationalization in medical education and promote high-level academic integration for students from across the globe.

The M9 Collaboration operates under the principles of “voluntary participation, equality, cooperation, and shared development” and follows a path of “planning jointly with sharing resources, to develop and benefit collaboratively”. It focuses on integrating high-quality educational resources from member universities and aligning with national diplomatic strategies to achieve synergy in key areas:

1. International development planning;

2. Faculty capacity building for global engagement;

3. Cultivating internationally competent medical professionals;

4. International student education in China;

5. Collaborative scientific research and innovation;

6. Cross-cultural exchanges

The forum attracted over 120 international medical students from 31 universities across China, including renowned institutions such as Tsinghua University, Xiamen University, Wuhan University, Sichuan University, and many others. The event featured 28 oral academic presentations and 89 high-quality poster displays, showcasing a broad spectrum of innovative research conducted by students.

Among oral presentation Chongqing Medical University and Tsinghua university secured first and second place, respectively. Among the standout achievements was the recognition of Md Saidur Rahaman, a student at Chongqing Medical University and executive member of Bangladesh-China Youth Student Association. Who received the Outstanding Poster Presentation Award for their exceptional research titled Suppression of Liver Fibrosis by Engrailed-1 Through PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Downregulation. The project was praised for its scientific depth, clarity of presentation, and relevance to current medical challenges. Of note, in total 25 posters were selected as outstanding poster.

“Participating in this national forum was a remarkable experience,” said Rahaman. “It provided a unique platform to engage with fellow researchers and gain valuable feedback. Receiving this award has strengthened my commitment to pursuing impactful research in the medical field.”

In addition to academic sessions, the event also encouraged cultural dialogue and mutual learning among participants, reflecting the broader goal of fostering international cooperation in medical education.

The forum not only exemplified Chongqing Medical University’s leadership in international medical training but also reinforced the strategic role of the M9 consortium in nurturing global healthcare professionals. As medical challenges grow increasingly complex and interconnected, platforms like this forum are vital in cultivating the next generation of globally minded medical scientists.

Arif/Raoha