Traditional Chinese Medicine students graduate after Beijing exchange

The blossoming partnership between Western Sydney University and the world-leading Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) was on display at April graduations as the first cohort of students who studied in Beijing received their testamurs.

As part of their coursework, Traditional Chinese Medicine masters students undertake a month long clinical placement at Dongzhimen Hospital, which is affiliated with BUCM.

The Dean of the School of Science and Health, Professor Gregory Kolt, says the graduation ceremony highlights how Western Sydney University and NICM work with international partners to produce job-ready employees.

"The partnership allows our students to strengthen their knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine at one of China's most prestigious institutions," says Professor Kolt.

"On behalf of Western Sydney University I congratulate the students on their graduation, and look forward to following their careers in Australia and beyond."

Also at the graduation ceremony were two staff from BUCM, who are currently at Western Sydney University to help develop a high quality Chinese medicine integrative clinical service in Sydney, which will have a close connection to both clinical and laboratory-based research.

In addition to the student exchange, the partnership between the two universities also sees regular academic exchanges to develop innovative teaching methods, and help bring new research conducted in the laboratory closer to the patient's bedside.

It is hoped the research will lead to the development of new treatments for unmet medical needs and new medicines for export around the world.

In 2015, the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BUCM which was witnessed by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Chinese President Xi Jingpin. This was followed by a formal agreement signed in 2016. Western Sydney University and NICM have a longstanding relationship with BUCM in both research and education.