The 16th Annual Conference of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health （CUGH） was held from February 20 to 23,2025, in Atlanta, USA. Themed “Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable World,” the conference brought together 1,344 researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and young scholars from 61 countries around the world. Professor Fujie Xu, Co-Director of the Global Health Program at Duke Kunshan University, participated in the event, contributing to discussions on advancing sustainable solutions in global health.
The conference served as a dynamic platform for sharing cutting-edge research, practical insights, and policy recommendations. During the event, Professor Fujie Xu engaged in discussions with the China Medical Board on potential future training collaborations and promotion of Sino-US health exchanges, explored joint funding opportunities with New York University Shanghai, and met with representatives from the University of Georgia and Emory University to discuss strategies for attracting top talent.
As a founding member of the Chinese Consortium of Universities for Global Health （CCUGH）, Duke Kunshan University has been dedicated to advancing health equity and fostering collaboration both within China and globally. For over a decade, CUGH and CCUGH have maintained a strong partnership. From 2015 to 2017, Duke Kunshan University served as the chair unit of the CCUGH. During this period, Professor Shenglan Tang led delegations to participate in the 2016 CUGH Annual Conference in San Francisco and the 2017 CUGH Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Notably, at the 2016 conference, Duke Kunshan University organized a sub-forum titled “Promoting Global Health in China and Other Countries: Joining Hands for Opportunities and Challenges.”
During my visit to the Carter Center in Atlanta, I took a photo of the Suzhou embroidery piece “Kitten,” which was presented by Deng Xiaoping to President Carter in 1979. This remarkable gift symbolizes the enduring friendship between China and the United States. At this pivotal moment in history, it also inspires deeper reflection on how we can further strengthen mutual trust, foster collaboration, drive innovation, and advance transformative efforts in global health—ultimately improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations and those in underdeveloped regions.
—— Professor Fujie Xu
Four abstracts of the paper submitted by Duke Kunshan University were selected for poster presentations at this year’s conference. Assistant Professors Meifang Chen and Daniel Weissglass, as well as eight undergraduate students, participated in the aforementioned research projects.
About “The Consortium of Universities for Global Health”
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) is funded by the Gates Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation. Comprising over 190 academic institutions and organizations from around the world, CUGH is dedicated to addressing global health challenges with the mission to “support universities as transformative forces in global health.” The consortium aids academic institutions and their partners in promoting global well-being through education, research, service, and advocacy. CUGH annual conference serves as a vital platform for cutting-edge dialogue in the field of global health. For more information, visit the official website.
By Zhangyang Pan, Wuyue Qian
