On the afternoon of April 2, 2025, Eva Van der Linden, Head of the Department of Nursing at AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp (AP), Joke Raats, Head of the Department of Occupational Therapy at AP, and Yan Lou, AP’s China Coordinator, visited Shenzhen University (SZU). The delegation was welcomed by Professor Xingzhi Xu, Executive Dean of SZU Medical School; Dr. Yaocheng Wang, Vice Director of the SZU International Office; and Dr. Qun Wang, Vice Dean of SZU Medical School. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on future collaboration, including the establishment of a Joint International Talents Training Center, and jointly envisioned the next steps in their educational partnership.

During the meeting, Professor Xingzhi Xu extended a warm welcome to the AP delegation, provided an overview of SZU Medical School, and introduced recent achievements in academic research, funding, and international collaboration. He also expressed a strong commitment to deepening cooperation with AP University.

Ms. Eva Van der Linden and Ms. Joke Raatsshared an overview of AP University and its prior collaborations with SZU, expressing enthusiasm for developing faculty and student exchange programs and pursuing joint research initiatives.

The two universities discussed in detail the agreement to establish the Joint International Talents Training Center in Shenzhen. Looking ahead, both institutions plan to leverage this center to jointly promote training and research in key areas such as occupational therapy, geriatric care, and applied gerontology. The partnership will also explore opportunities for overseas semester programs, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative platforms such as conferences, summits, and forums.

During their visit, the AP delegation visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, where Dr. Weimin Zhu, Vice President of the hospital, participated in a roundtable discussion and exchanged commemorative gifts with the visitors. The delegation also toured the Hospital History Museum, Rehabilitation Treatment Center, and Department of Geriatric Medicine, gaining a deeper understanding of the hospital’s development and medical services.

As a University of Applied Sciences and Arts, AP is recognized for its integration of practice-oriented scientific research and artistic research. It comprises several faculties, including the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of People and Society, Royal Conservatoire, and Royal Academy of Fine Arts. In May 2024, during the 10^th anniversary of the comprehensive, friendly partnership between China and Belgium, AP and SZU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The upcoming establishment of the Joint International Talents Training Center promises to be a new and significant milestone in the growing collaboration between the two universities.