Chongqing - Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) and the University of Leicester officially inaugurated the CQMU-University of Leicester Joint Institute on June 25. This collaboration marks establishing the first joint education institute in central and western China focused on clinical medicine, offering dual degrees from both Chinese and British institutions.

Unveiling Ceremony of the CQMU-University of Leicester Joint Institute. (Photo/Chongqing Medical University)

Based at Chongqing's campus, the CQMU-University of Leicester Joint Institute will host three new programs: BSc in psychology/psychiatry, BSc in physiotherapy/rehabilitation, and an MSc in oncology/cancer cell and molecular biology. An existing joint partnership program running at Chongqing – BSc in clinical medicine and clinical science – will also come under the new institute’s jurisdiction.

Chongqing and Leicester have shared a sister-city relationship since 1993, and this partnership is set to further contribute to the internationalization of medical education in China, particularly in 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.

By the end of 2021, both universities agreed to elevate the partnership to an institutional level. After three years of dedicated effort, the Ministry of Education recently approved the establishment of the Joint Institute, making it the only institution in western China offering dual clinical degrees from both Chinese and British universities.

Recruitment for the new programs is expected to begin in September 2025.

Chongqing Medical University Campus. (Photo/Chongqing Medical University)

CQMU Party Secretary Qin Zhengjie emphasized the university's commitment to international education and collaboration. The partnership aims to combine high-quality medical education resources and advanced experiences from both institutions to create a distinguished 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."