MSD and China Vaccines Industry Association Launch "CVIA-MSD Jingwei Public Health Scholarship Program" to Support Talent Development and Strengthen China's Disease Control System

Supporting On-Campus Talent Development, Aiding the Reform of the CDC System, Illuminating a New Future for Public Health in China

ShanghaiNovember 6, 2022PR Newswire -- During the 2022 Fifth China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE"), the "China Vaccine Industry Association-MSD Elite Public Health Scholarship Program," initiated by MSD (the corporate name of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA) and the China Vaccine Industry Association, officially launched at the MSD booth. Feng Duojia, President of the China Vaccine Industry Association; Wang Xiyuan, Party Secretary and Deputy Dean of the School of Public Health at China Medical University; Xia Min, Dean of the School of Public Health at Sun Yat-sen University; and Anna Van Acker, Senior Vice President of MSD and President of MSD China, jointly expressed their vision for the future of public health in China. They highlighted the shared commitment to supporting the cultivation of on-campus talent in the public health field, strengthening the reserve of public health professionals, assisting in the reform of the disease control system, and collectively building a "Healthy China."

"China Vaccination Association-MSD Jingwei Public Health Scholarship Program" Launch Ceremony

As a policy epitome of the "14th Five-Year Plan" focusing on "people's health at the center," and as the forefront of building "Healthy China," the public health system shoulders the crucial responsibility of combating infectious diseases and safeguarding public health. The quality of the public health workforce is closely tied to the progress of disease prevention and control, making the enhancement of public health education and talent development particularly vital. With the accelerated advancements in life sciences and healthcare innovation, China's public health education and talent cultivation have made significant progress. However, facing the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the challenge of multiple infectious diseases breaking out simultaneously, China still urgently needs more and better versatile, applied, and innovative talents to drive the public health system toward the goals of high quality, vitality, and sustainability.

Feng Duojia, President of the China Vaccine Industry AssociationIt was introduced that the MSD Public Health Scholarship Program plans to provide scholarship funding to students of public health schools at key universities across China. The first batch of funded universities includes the School of Public Health at China Medical University and the School of Public Health at Sun Yat-sen University. The program aims to address the concerns of young talents who are dedicated to their studies, encouraging public health students to enthusiastically engage in the national strategic mission of "building a strong public health system." It seeks to build a new reserve force for the public health sector, assist in enhancing the overall level of public health research and practice, activate the synergistic effects of industry-academia-research collaboration, strengthen the capacity building of disease prevention and control institutions at all levels, and improve the overall health management level of the population.

Wang Xiyuan, Party Secretary and Deputy Dean of the School of Public Health, China Medical UniversityIt was pointed out that public health talents are the "gatekeepers" safeguarding the health of the people. The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed new requirements on the public health system and team building, while also bringing new opportunities for the development of related disciplines and talent cultivation. Besides having solid fundamental theoretical knowledge and data analysis capabilities, the new type of public health talent must possess keen awareness of the bigger picture, strong practical skills, and comprehensive emergency response abilities. However, the cultivation of such high-quality, well-rounded public health professionals cannot be achieved overnight. While universities increase their investment, it also requires the joint efforts of the entire society. The Jingwei Public Health Scholarship Program is a beneficial exploration in expanding talent cultivation and career development pathways, optimizing the public health talent development system, and improving the public health disease prevention and control system.

"Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the scope and content of public health continue to expand in depth and breadth, the continuous improvement of the public health system has become a core focus in building a global community of health for humanity."Dean of the School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Xia MinWe hope that through the Jingwei Public Health Scholarship Program, we can cultivate high-quality talents, increase the proportion of professionals, and strengthen the talent pool to elevate public health education to 'the next level.' We also look forward to public health students aspiring to lofty goals, being dedicated to their studies, actively engaging in public health academic research and practical exploration, contributing to a leapfrog development of China's public health sector, and safeguarding people's lives.

Anna Tian, Senior Vice President of MSD Global and President of MSD China"Building a strong public health system requires multi-party cooperation, and talent is the cornerstone of system development. MSD is highly honored to jointly initiate the Jingwei Public Health Scholarship Program with the China Vaccine Industry Association, supporting higher education institutions in nurturing more public health professionals for society, strengthening the ranks of young public health elites in China, and injecting continuous momentum into the development of the healthcare industry."

Anna Tian, Senior Vice President of MSD Global and President of MSD China, Delivers a Speech

Over the 30 years since entering China, MSD has provided health protection across the entire life cycle for different groups such as women, children and adolescents, and the elderly through its rich portfolio of vaccines and anti-infective drugs, from prevention to treatment.Anna TianEmphasized, "Standing at the new starting point of ‘Thirty and Thriving,' MSD will be guided by the ‘Bright Future' strategy, uniting forces from all sectors of society to continuously bring more life-saving advanced vaccines, drugs, disease prevention and control programs, and systemic models to China. We aim to become a trusted and leading partner in China's healthcare ecosystem; support China’s disease prevention and control reform and public health development with the firm belief of ‘Enhancing Life,' and steadfastly uphold the fresh vitality of a ‘Healthy China.'"

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