The KGI-China Connection Takes Off
KGI recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China's Zhongmei Group, a large conglomerate which encompasses the medical services, education, pharmaceutical and research sectors. The MOU was established as a strategic cooperative partnership to promote student development and joint educational projects as well as to explore professional development opportunities. Also, next year, Yumei Hospital, a member of the Zhongmei Group, is set to become the first Chinese firm to sponsor a Team Masters Project, which serves as the capstone activity for MBS and PPM students.
The MOU comes on the heels of KGI being added to the Chinese Ministry of Education's list of approved schools in California. KGI's inclusion was quite significant because the agency regulates all aspects of the educational system in mainland China, including certification of teachers and standardization of curriculum and textbooks.
"KGI has increased its international outreach significantly in recent years, and China is a very important part of that outreach," said President Sheldon Schuster. "I think that the KGI model of combining business and scientific pursuits for the benefit of society is one that resonates strongly with many individuals and organizations in China. Likewise, I k now there will be many opportunities for the KGI community to learn from their counterparts in China."
Recent MBS grad Cijian Feng, who is from the eastern Chinese city of Huzhou, about two hours from Shanghai, agrees with President Schuster and said that KGI's MBS program was a perfect match for his career goals, which include leveraging his knowledge of science to help develop and commercialize medical device or pharmaceutical products.
"I believe that in the next 10 to 20 years the emphasis in China will be on sustainable innovation. In order to do that it's not enough just to have an idea, you really have to create a culture of collaboration," Feng said. "The KGI platform which integrates information from several different disciplines is a great training ground for those of us who hope to work in this model in the future."
Feng added that being part of this year's Eli Lilly TMP on pharmaceutical R&D transformation through innovation was definitely the highlight of his KGI career. "Having the opportunity to really sit down and talk with some of the most creative people in the world, including a Nobel Prize nominee, was something I'll never forget and something I never thought I'd be able to do at this stage of my career," he said.