To accelerate the implementation of Fudan University’s global openness and cooperation strategy and deepen substantive collaboration with international organizations, a delegation led by Professor Tian Mei, Director of Fudan University’s Center for Advancing Global Collaboration, visited Switzerland and Italy from April 24 to 30, 2026. The delegation visited the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, achieving a series of important cooperation outcomes. During the visit, the delegation also met with Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and the Chinese Embassy in Italy.
Members of the delegation included representatives from Fudan University’s Institute of Science and Technology Research, Institute of Nutrition, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Center for Advancing Global Collaboration.
Visiting the World Health Organization to Further Consolidate the Foundation for Cooperation
During its visit to Switzerland, the delegation visited the WHO headquarters in Geneva and held formal talks with Dr. Sylvie BRIAND, Chief Scientist of the Science Division, and officials from multiple WHO departments.
The two sides reviewed their existing foundation for cooperation. The Fudan delegation highlighted the university’s multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary strengths as a comprehensive research university, as well as its achievements in areas including human phenome research, nuclear medicine, public health, and clinical medicine.
The two sides held in-depth discussions on precision medicine, clinical research, AI governance in health, and other areas. They agreed to actively promote Fudan University’s participation in the WHO Global Clinical Trials Network, explore the joint development of clinical research training systems and global health talent development programs, and contribute to capacity building in health for low- and middle-income countries. Both sides will establish a regular communication mechanism to accelerate the implementation and advancement of cooperation projects.
Visiting the World Meteorological Organization to Advance Interdisciplinary Research on Climate and Health
At the WMO headquarters in Geneva, the delegation met with Professor Celeste SAULO, Secretary-General of the WMO, and officials from multiple departments. The meeting was chaired by Véronique BOUCHET, Head of the Science, Services and Capacity Development Department of the WMO.
The two sides systematically reviewed their cooperation since 2019 and discussed prospects for future collaboration in areas such as AI capacity development, the joint establishment of a calibration center, and climate technologies. Secretary-General Saulo spoke highly of the solid foundation of cooperation between the two sides and expressed her full support for advancing various forms of collaboration with Fudan University.
Visiting the Food and Agriculture Organization to Promote Global Food Security and Nutrition Policy Translation
In Rome, the delegation visited the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and held talks with Wu Zhimin, Director of the Forestry Division; Li Lifeng, Director of the Land and Water Division; Yang Hua, Deputy Director of the Cabinet; and other representatives.
Professor Gao Xiang, Dean of Fudan University’s Institute of Nutrition, gave a focused introduction to Fudan’s pioneering establishment of a “Center for Medicine-Agriculture Integration” among Chinese universities. He explained the center’s vision of integrating the full chain of “agri-food science, nutrition science, and clinical research.”
FAO representatives expressed strong recognition of the concept of medicine-agriculture integration, noting that it is highly aligned with FAO’s “Four Betters” framework and the work of departments including the Forestry Division and the Plant Production and Protection Division. The two sides identified potential areas for cooperation, including the nutritional security of forest plants and forest products, the development of functional foods, and scientific evaluation. Moving forward, both sides will further consolidate areas of cooperation and promote the dissemination of research outcomes to FAO Member Nations through the FAO system.
Other Exchange Activities
During the visit to Switzerland, Professor Tian Mei and the delegation also visited the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Inselspital, Bern University Hospital. The two sides reached preliminary cooperation intentions in areas including neuroimaging and multimodal, cross-scale research.
The delegation also visited the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and the Chinese Embassy in Italy. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on further promoting cooperation between Fudan University and higher education institutions, research institutions, and international organizations in Switzerland and Italy, as well as supporting Fudan students in pursuing internships and career opportunities at international organizations.
Background Information
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for global public health. Its core mission is to promote the highest possible level of health for all people. With six regional offices and 150 country offices worldwide, WHO leads the development of global health standards, disease prevention and control, responses to public health emergencies, and the promotion of universal health coverage. It plays a central role in global health governance, public health policy, medical standards, and international cooperation, and is one of the most authoritative international organizations in the field of health.
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is the authoritative organization within the United Nations system on the state and behavior of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces, and the resulting distribution of water resources.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was officially founded on October 16, 1945, and became a specialized agency of the United Nations in December 1946. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO is the most authoritative intergovernmental international organization in the field of food and agriculture. To date, FAO has 194 Member Nations, one member organization, namely the European Union, and two associate members, the Faroe Islands and Tokelau. China is one of its founding members.
Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, is a leading public teaching hospital in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, and one of Europe’s top medical centers. Its history dates back to 1354, and its name originates from its early location on an island in the Aare River. With nearly 700 years of medical heritage, the hospital is affiliated with the University of Bern. It is one of Switzerland’s five university hospitals and the country’s largest general hospital.
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