Shantou University

Shantou University (STU), founded in 1981 with the approval of the State Council, is a key comprehensive university under the "211 Project" in the Guangdong province. It is a university co-developed by the Ministry of Education, People’s Government of the Guangdong Province, and the Li Ka Shing Foundation. It is also the only public university in the world which is continually supported by a private foundation—the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Currently there are 9 schools and colleges, 5,113 faculty members and medical workers, and 9,448 full-time students in STU.

Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), an important part of Shantou University (STU), exists to lead by being student-centered in medical education; patient-centered in health service delivery; application-centered in biomedical and clinical research; public interest-centered in community services; faculty and staff-centered for sustainable development of SUMC. At present, SUMC has 203 full-time faculty members, among whom 88% hold a graduate degree and 45% have international experience either by studying or working abroad. SUMC offers the seven-year programs in Clinical Medicine, and Clinical Medicine with Medical Imaging, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology and Oncology specializations, a five-year program in Clinical Medicine, a four-year program in Nursing, and an English-instructed program in Clinical Medicine (MBBS) specially tailored to international students. Now there are 2,553 students enrolled in the medical programs at SUMC, including 1,460 undergraduate students, 1,088 master and doctorate students. SUMC has five affiliated hospitals and five associated partner hospitals.

Being committed to student-centered education and training of medical professionals that can meet international standards, SUMC has adopted a systems-integrated medical curriculum. Effectively integrating basic medical science with advanced clinical training, the new program focuses on skills development through Problem-Based.Learning and maximized clinical exposure. Students could participate in training for USMLE (U.S. Medical Licensing Examinations) Step 1 and Step 2 and similar examinations in preparation of international clinical careers.

Apart from medical teaching and scientific research, SUMC is also active in serving the community. The National Hospice Program, Medical Aid for the Poor Program, Rainbow Project are charity programs initiated and supported by the Li Ka Shing Foundation, all aiming at helping the sick and needy, and cultivating the spirit of "giving" among the community.