From April 28 to 29, 2026, Chairman AININ Waliou of ASSANA Group based in Benin, West Africa, led a delegation to visit Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University. The two sides held in-depth exchanges and field inspections focusing on China-Africa medical education, talent training, medical services and public health cooperation.
The forum was held at Xinglin Campus of Central South University on the morning of April 29 and presided over by Vice Dean Li Xuejun. Executive Vice Dean Wu Minghua first extended a warm welcome to the Beninese delegation on behalf of the school. She noted that Benin stands as a sincere, equal and trusted African partner of China. Taking this visit as an opportunity, Xiangya is ready to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism with ASSANA Group to jointly advance the building of a China-Africa Health Community.
Vice Dean Li Xuejun delivered a detailed introduction to Xiangya School of Medicine, covering its educational heritage, disciplinary development, talent training system, layout of affiliated hospitals and achievements in international exchanges. He fully demonstrated the profound foundation and comprehensive strengths of "Southern Xiangya" in medical education, clinical practice, scientific research and social services.
Chairman AININ Waliou presented an overview of ASSANA Group, as well as its layout and accomplishments in healthcare, cross-border collaboration and African health system development. He stated that the group operates a medical network spanning 15 African countries with more than 50 medical institutions. Highly recognizing Xiangya’s outstanding capacity in medical education and clinical treatment, he expected to set up a stable cooperation channel with Xiangya. The group plans to send young physicians and students from Benin and wider West Africa to China for further study, carry out joint talent training and medical technology cooperation, and boost the development of healthcare across Africa.
During the forum, both sides exchanged thorough views on practical matters including admission pathways for Beninese students to study in China, scholarship applications, pre-medical Chinese language training, customized short-term training programs and joint participation in African health conferences, reaching multiple consensuses on cooperation. Both parties agreed to set up a regular communication mechanism and expand pragmatic collaboration across medical education, medical services, public health and other fields with talent exchange as the core bond.
During the visit, the delegation conducted on-site tours of featured departments of Xiangya Hospital, including the Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Stomatology, and Department of Dermatology (Medical Aesthetics Division). They gained detailed insights into disciplinary development, diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as clinical teaching work, and spoke highly of Xiangya Hospital’s comprehensive strength and international standards.
This visit further deepened exchanges and cooperation between Xiangya School of Medicine and West African countries as well as key local enterprises. It laid a solid foundation for enrolling more African students, building a China-Africa platform for medical talent cultivation, and promoting the global outreach of high-quality Chinese medical resources.
Leveraging the permanent venue of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, Xiangya School of Medicine will continuously improve its Africa-oriented cooperation system and contribute Xiangya’s strength to fostering a closer China-Africa Health Community.
First Reviewer: Li Xuejun
Second Reviewer: Li Ruijun
Final Reviewer: Huang Gengwen
