In August 2024, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Master of Science in Global Health Program (MSc-GH Program) launched its orientation week to warmly welcome the incoming Class of 2026. This cohort of 20 students, hailing from diverse academic backgrounds such as anthropology, information technology, biosciences, business management, and more, embarked on their academic journey at DKU.
The orientation was led by Professor Qian Long, Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for MSc-GH Program and featured a hybrid format of in-person and online sessions. Professor Yunguo Liu, Co-Director of the DKU Global Health Program, delivered a welcome address, highlighting the program’s structure and expressing hopes for the students’ academic success. Additionally, Professor Joe Egger from Duke University Global Health Institute extended warm congratulations to the new students.
Throughout the week, faculty members including Professors Shenglan Tang, Lijing Yan, Chenkai Wu, Marius Wamsiedel, Xinyu Zhang, and Truls Østbye introduced themselves and their research projects, fostering connections with the students. The newcomers also had the opportunity to introduce themselves, sharing their academic backgrounds, motivations, and goals.
Professor Yunguo Liu introduced opportunities for internships with international organizations, encouraging the students to tackle global health challenges. Assistant Director of the Global Health Program Kaikai Yang, provided detailed guidance on administrative matters, course registration, and academic policies.
Current second-year students, Dongfang Wu and Jie’er Yang, shared their insights on maximizing academic and career development opportunities, as well as selecting field research topics. The orientation also included one-on-one meetings, where students expressed their excitement for the next two years and their eagerness to explore academic and career possibilities.
DGS Professor Qian Long encouraged students to actively participate in cross-cultural dialogues, expand their research perspectives, and cultivate interdisciplinary exploration. The arrival of the Class of 2026 brings new energy and potential to DKU MSc-GH Program, setting the stage for an exciting academic journey ahead.
Article by Ruitong Li
Photos by Dantong Zhu and Yang Jiao
