Global Health students visiting Project HOPE
January 24, 2026, Shanghai – Nearly 30 undergraduates, graduate students, and distinguished alumni representatives from the Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Global Health Program gathered in Shanghai. The event, co-initiated and funded by the DKU Global Health Program and the DKU Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, was structured around the theme of “Field Visit + Cross-Sector Dialogue.” It aimed to build a bridge between academia and the professional world for students through a visit to the Shanghai office of Project HOPE and in-depth conversations with alumni who have pursued diverse career paths within the broader health ecosystem.
Witnessing Global Health in Action
Professor Fujie Xu presenting a certificate of appreciation to Project HOPE
The Shanghai office of Project HOPE is located within the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC), affiliated with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. In 1998, the Shanghai Municipal Government and Project HOPE collaborated to establish this Grade A tertiary specialty hospital integrating medical treatment, education, and research. Students toured the hospital’s Medical Simulation Center, the Ronald McDonald House public space, and the History Hall.
Students visiting the Project HOPE Medical Simulation Center and History Hall
During the visit, Ms. Jianrong Xu personally introduced the founding history of SCMC and the pivotal role played by Project HOPE. As a successful model of Sino-US medical collaboration, SCMC has developed into one of China’s leading centers for pediatric congenital heart disease, hematology/oncology, and developmental and behavioral pediatrics. She also vividly recounted Project HOPE’s work in public health and maternal/child health since entering China 43 years ago. This allowed students to gain a tangible sense of the long journey from concept to practice in global health projects aimed at improving medical standards in developing countries and promoting health equity.
Dialog on Five Career Tracks
The second segment of the event featured a deep-dialogue “World Café” session in Shanghai, where visiting students interacted with alumni. This small-group format helped current students gain insights into development paths across different major health career tracks. The invited alumni came from diverse fields including non-governmental organizations, the private sector, hospital systems, strategic consulting, and technology innovation, sharing their experiences and insights from various practical perspectives.
The session was moderated by Qian Long, Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Global Health Program. In a relaxed atmosphere, ice-breaking games quickly closed the distance, initiating this “warm” alumni conversation.
Following the rotational group talks, representatives from each table shared their key takeaways. As discussions unfolded, what had previously felt uncertain or abstract gradually became clearer. Hearing alumni speak about their own journeys,marked by exploration, adjustment, and commitment,helped students gain a more grounded sense of direction. Beyond broad inspiration, participants also took away practical insights on navigating career choices, identifying opportunities, and preparing for transitions beyond the classroom.
The exchange also offered students a closer look at the realities of the global health field. By engaging with professionals across different sectors, they were able to move beyond textbook knowledge and develop a more concrete understanding of possible career trajectories. For many, this experience helped turn vague plans into more defined ideas, while also easing anxieties about the future.
In her concluding remarks, Renee Richer, Associate Professor of Biology and Global Health at DKU, fully affirmed the value of this exchange. She encouraged students to translate today’s gains into action and to move forward with determination through exploration. While the event has concluded, the dialogue continues—from the classroom to the frontlines, from ideals to action. This tea gathering not only facilitated a collision of knowledge and practice but also connected a growing, mutually supportive alumni ecosystem.
Students in discussion during the event
Alumni Voices
During the alumni sharing session, speakers reflected on their academic and professional journeys, offering both personal insights and broader perspectives on growth within the field of global health. One recent graduate,Yuhan Wang described returning to the program as a meaningful experience, highlighting the enduring sense of connection within the community. Despite pursuing different career paths after graduation, she noted that the program continues to serve as an important foundation, shaping not only professional competencies but also the mindset needed to navigate uncertainty with resilience and curiosity. Engaging with current and incoming students also prompted her to reflect on her own earlier stages of exploration, reinforcing the value of continuous learning and self-discovery.
Alumna Yuhan Wang sharing her experience
Another alumnus, Anli Sun, emphasized the importance of balancing intellectual engagement with real-world experience. He encouraged students to remain attentive to global health challenges while actively stepping into practical settings where theories can be tested and refined. In his view, it is through this ongoing interaction between knowledge and practice that individuals gradually develop clearer direction and a stronger sense of purpose.
Alumna Yuhan Wang sharing her experience
From Classroom to Frontline, from Ideals to Action
This tea gathering successfully integrated theory with practice and initiated a sustainable process of co-building an alumni ecosystem. Moving forward, the DKU Global Health Program will continue to promote cross-sector dialogue and hands-on field experience. Within the vast landscape of the health field, we are committed to helping students find their own navigation channels and grow together.
Written by Xiaohang Lyu, Yijie Nan
