NINGBO, July 16, 2025 — Today marked a significant milestone as Peking university - Yinzhou Regional joint institute for Advanced Medical Intelligence and Digital health (the "Institute") was officially established, signaling a new era of strategic cooperation between Peking University (PKU) Health Science Center and Yinzhou District. The Institute aims to integrate the high-quality digital health resources of Ningbo Yinzhou with the world-class educational and research expertise of Peking University to create a nationally influential hub for digital health innovation.
A Gathering of Distinguished Leadership
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a prestigious group of leaders and experts.
The event also welcomed senior scholars in medicine, big data, and AI, alongside representatives from the industrial and corporate sectors.
Strengthening Regional Innovation Ecosystems
In his welcoming address, Mayor Chen Xingli stated that the partnership between Yinzhou and Peking University is characterized by a shared vision and promising future. He pledged that Yinzhou will continue to strengthen infrastructure and provide precise policy support, inviting global stakeholders to join in building an innovation ecosystem that deeply integrates "government, industry, academia, research, and application."
Academician Qiao Jie noted in her speech that the Institute's launch is a vital step for both parties in serving the "Healthy China" national strategy. She emphasized that Peking University will utilize the Institute as a key hub to bridge the innovation chain, accelerate the translation of scientific achievements, and share "China’s Wisdom" and "PKU’s Story" on the global stage.
Prof. Han Qide, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Honorary Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, sent a congratulatory letter offering four recommendations: focus on interdisciplinary frontiers to lead original innovation; strengthen practical applications to improve public health; foster an open and win-win ecosystem; and prioritize technological ethics for sustainable development.
Expert Appointments and Future Roadmap
During the ceremony, leading figures officially inaugurated the Institute. Several renowned experts from Peking University and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were appointed to the Academic Committee. Secretary Shen Min presented appointment letters to seven pioneering scientist teams led by distinguished professors including Qiao Jie, Zhan Siyan, Zhang Luxia, Gao Pei, Sun Hongyu, Wang Haijun, and Hong Jing. Professor Zhan Siyan, Dean of the PKU School of Public Health, was officially appointed as the Inaugural Director of the Institute.
Director Zhan Siyan outlined the Institute's strategic positioning: "The Institute is a cross-disciplinary innovation platform focusing on future medicine, big data, and AI. Our mission is to empower healthcare services through digital technology." She noted that the Institute would initially focus on four core areas: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health, and Digital Medicine, with plans to expand into Digital Therapeutics, Digital Twins, Embodied AI, and Biomanufacturing.
A Decade of Foundation, a New Chapter of Growth
Since the initial partnership began in 2015, PKU and Yinzhou have collaborated on 57 research projects, co-constructed two national-level platforms, and published over 94 papers. This decade of deep cooperation in areas such as infectious disease control and chronic disease research has provided a solid foundation for the new Institute.
According to a representative from the Yinzhou District Health Bureau, the Institute will bolster specialized medical services and public health in the short term, while driving long-term regional high-quality development through talent cultivation and industrial innovation.
Following the ceremony, the Institute held its first joint meeting and development seminar to chart the roadmap for its future operations and strategic goals.
