Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) and the University of Leicester have formally launched the CQMU-University of Leicester Joint Institute. This partnership signifies the establishment of the inaugural joint educational institute in central and western China, specializing in clinical medicine. The institute will offer dual degrees from both Chinese and British institutions.
Located on Chongqing's campus, the CQMU-University of Leicester Joint Institute will introduce three new programs: a BSc in psychology/psychiatry, a BSc in physiotherapy/rehabilitation, and an MSc in oncology/cancer cell and molecular biology. The institute will also oversee an existing joint partnership program at Chongqing – the BSc in clinical medicine and clinical science. Since 1993, Chongqing and Leicester have shared a sister-city relationship, and this collaboration aims to enhance the internationalization of medical education in China, focusing particularly on inland regions.
President Huang Ailong of Chongqing Medical University highlighted the long-standing cooperation between CQMU and the University of Leicester, which began in 2015. In 2016, a memorandum of understanding was signed, leading to the approval of a joint undergraduate clinical medicine program by the Ministry of Education(China) in 2018. The program welcomed its first cohort of students in 2020, who have since completed a year of training in the UK.
In late 2021, both universities decided to formalize their partnership at an institutional level. Following three years of concerted efforts, the Ministry of Education has recently granted approval for the establishment of the Joint Institute. This makes it the sole institution in Western China to offer dual clinical degrees from both Chinese and British universities. Recruitment for the new programs is scheduled to commence in September 2025.
Qin Zhengjie, the Party Secretary of CQMU, underscored the university's dedication to international education and collaboration. The partnership seeks to merge top-tier medical education resources and advanced practices from both institutions, aiming to establish a prestigious brand in Sino-foreign cooperative medical education.
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said, "This is a powerful alliance between two leading universities that will benefit society and shape lives. We are training the doctors of tomorrow, as well as other health professionals, who will be of service to humanity and empowered through education to be citizens of change".
Professor Tom Robinson, Leicester’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Life Sciences, and Dean of Medicine, said, “This is a landmark occasion. We have a chance to shape destinies. Education has the power to transform lives and through this JEI, we are doing just that by creating doctors of tomorrow, as well as other health professionals who will be of service to humanity".
HM Consul-General to Chongqing and South West China, Anthony Preston, said, "I would like to send my warmest congratulations to the launch of The CQMU-University of Leicester Joint Institute which is one of the most important health education partnerships between the UK and South West China. I look forward to seeing more doctors developing high-impact skills and for this Joint Institute to inspire more bilateral exchanges between our countries in education and research and development".
