In early December, 17 students and faculty members from Kokand University's Andijan campus in Uzbekistan arrived in Gansu province for a two-week medical training program designed to develop professional skills and cross-border academic exchange.

Guided by senior physicians at Lanzhou University First Hospital, the trainees are studying surgery, emergency medicine, and other disciplines, while also touring advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Nishonov Bakhtiyorjon, a professor at Kokand University and the group leader, described the experience as academically and personally enriching. He explained that the group is learning about surgical procedures and related instruments and hopes to strengthen ties with Chinese doctors and students. "After the internship, we will return to our country and share what we've learned."

Medical students from Kokand University's Andijan campus in Uzbekistan learn in the operating room at Lanzhou University First Hospital. [Photo by Wu Yuexuan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

"What impressed me most was how advanced this hospital is," said Karimov Muhammad Yusuf, a sophomore majoring in general medicine, noting the extensive use of minimally invasive procedures and the Da Vinci robot-assisted surgical system.

Liu Liping, director of the hospital's emergency department, said such exchanges provide meaningful opportunities for mutual development. "Being able to assist them through these programs is wonderful," she said, noting the hospital's interest in continued on-site and online collaboration.

Medical students from Kokand University's Andijan campus in Uzbekistan attend a lecture at the hospital's Gastroenterology Department. [Photo by Wu Yuexuan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The program includes Chinese language and culture classes, traditional food workshops, museum visits, and city tours.

As a core city of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Lanzhou plays a key role in regional public health cooperation. To date, the Belt and Road University Alliance, launched by Lanzhou University, has established five regional and disciplinary sub-alliances, bringing together 184 universities from 27 countries and regions across five continents.