From November 25th to December 1st, 2024, the third batch of nursing experts from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Nursing visited the UK. During the visit the delegationsuccessfullysigned a collaboration agreement with King's College London (KCL) and held seminars with University of Cambridge and University of Oxford on research collaboration and student exchange programs. This visit is an important initiative in the School’s efforts to internationalize the nursing discipline, which is of significance in strengthening connections with world-renowned universities, promoting student exchanges, enhancing talentcultivation, andbroadening educational and researchcollaboration.
The delegation was led by Zhang Xin, Party Secretary of School of Nursing, andAssociate Dean Zhu Bingqian, and consisted of 12 nursing experts fromtheSchool of Nursing and affiliated hospitals, including Ruijin Hospital, Renji Hospital, and Shanghai Children’s Medical Center.
1. King’s College London
The nursing discipline at KCL is globally renowned for its long history and strong academic foundation. Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care (NMPC), the oldest nursing school in the world, was founded by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, KCL ranks first in Europe and second globally by its nursing discipline, fully demonstrating its outstanding academic influence and international recognition.
During the visit, the delegation was warmly received by Professor Julia Philippou, Vice Dean of NMPC, Vice Dean Professor Glenn Robert, nursing education expert Professor Emma Briggs, Professor Ehsan Khan, Global Managers Ms. Natalie Hollows and Ms. Louna Aissi, Global Manager for China and East Asia Mr. Edward Danks, and Business Development Manager Mr. Jamie Pryce. The two institutions engaged in comprehensive and in-depth discussions on undergraduate exchange programs, graduate program recruitment and training, continuing education, research collaboration, and talent development pathways. Both institutions expressed a strong willingness to collaborate and look forward to deepening their partnership in multipledomains such as scientific research and talent development, aiming to create a win-win situation.
A Collaboration Agreement between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and King’s College of London ontheNursing 4+1 Program was signed during the visit, marking a milestone breakthrough in nursing education collaboration between the two universities. The programadheres to the model of "4 years of undergraduate study at SJTU + 1 year of master's study at KCL" . Upon completing the curriculum and meeting the requirements at both institutions, students will be awarded a bachelor's degree and diploma from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as well as a postgraduate degree from King's College London. The program will officially start recruiting students in 2025, with an effective agreement term until 2030.
The delegation also visited the Simulation and Interactive Learning Center at King's College London, which, with its cutting-edge facilities and advanced technologies, has set a benchmark in medical education. During the visit, KCL faculty and studentsconducted two scenario-based simulation lessons, employing an inquiry-based teaching approach. This highly interactive teaching model provided profound insights for the delegation members. Additionally, the delegation visited teaching bases such as St Thomas' Hospital and Evelina London. Of particular interest was the "Four-Step Enhancement Program for Critical Care Nurse Competency " at St Thomas' Hospital, as well as the experience of the UK National Health Service in nursing talent development. These visits offered valuable references and insights for the delegation in areas such as medical education innovation, healthcare service quality improvement, and the integration of humanistic care.
2. University of Cambridge
During the visit to University of Cambridge, the delegation first met with Professor David Cope,afounding fellow of Clare Hall, and Professor Thomas Kreig,theleader of the medical expert group. The two professors not only introduced University of Cambridge and its outstanding achievements in the field of medicine but also provided an in-depth analysis of current technological frontiers. Both professors expressed strong interest and firm confidence in deepening Sino-British medical exchanges, highlighting that there is significant potential for collaboration between University of Cambridge and China in areas such as medical education, research collaboration, andthedevelopment of nursing professions.
In addition, the delegation also visited the prestigious Addenbrooke's Hospital. Mr. Colin Hamilton, a leader in nursing, midwifery, and allied health professional research, provided a detailed introduction to the hospital's initiatives and strategies in supporting nursing research. These include building platforms for nurses interested in research, offering valuable opportunities and comprehensive support, enhancing the research skills of nursing staff, building efficient research teams, and fostering a strong research culture. These practices offer valuable insights for the development of nursing disciplines at affiliated hospitals, particularly in the training of clinical research nurses and promoting nursing innovation, setting a significant example for advancing nursing research and practice.
3. University of Oxford
The delegation also visited the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, and engaged in exchanges with Professor Simon Kyle and his research team. The institute focuses on exploring the physiological foundations, health impacts, and disease associations of sleep and circadian rhythms, while also working on the development of related interventions. During the visit, Professor Simon Kyle, postdoctoral researcher Forrest Cheung, and Clinical Neuroscience PhD candidate Lucy Jobbins shared in-depth insights on the institute's latest research findings, studies on sleep health in shift-working populations, the relationship between sleep and dementia, as well as Oxford’s online sleep medicine courses. The delegation members stated that the exchange not only deepened their understanding of the latest developments in the field of sleep and circadian neuroscience, but also allowed them to experience the academic atmosphere and outstanding research capabilities of the institute. This visit has laid a solid foundation for future academic collaboration between the two institutions.
This visit to the UK marks a key step for Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Nursing in expanding its international vision and deepening Sino-British collaboration in nursing education and research. Looking ahead, the School will continue to uphold the strategy of remaining open, inclusive, and pursing mutual benefit, and will further strengthen its exchange and collaboration with nursing education and research institutions worldwide, eventually hoping to develop a better nursing discipline together.
