Laurea and Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences established a joint international health institute

Laurea University of Applied Sciences and the Chinese Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences (SUMHS) have established a joint Sino-Finnish International College of Health. The new educational unit was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held in Shanghai on March 13.

The event was attended by Laurea’s President, CEO Jouni Koski, SUMHS Rector Wu Tao, Finland’s Consul General in Shanghai Anu Vuori, and Chen Mu, a representative of the Shanghai Education Commission.

Also present were Tanja Johansson, Director of Laurea’s Business, Information Technology, and Service Industries Unit; Directors of Education Johanna Lahti (Information Technology), Helena Launiainen (Physiotherapy), and Airi Kananen (Nursing), as well as lecturers and staff from Laurea’s International Operations and Support Services. The city of Shanghai and the university were represented by a large group of staff and students.

University presidents, distinguished guests, and key figures in academia and international business pose for a group photo. (Photo: Shanghai University of Health and Medical Sciences).

A Significant Step Forward in Educational Cooperation Between China and Finland

In his speech, Rector Jouni Koski noted that the sister-city relationship between Espoo and Shanghai provides an excellent foundation for deepening cooperation. Laurea University of Applied Sciences aims to expand its partnership network to Shanghai and engage in close collaboration with Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences as well as local healthcare organizations. The goal is to generate even greater value for students, the development of the healthcare sector, and well-being through international cooperation.

In his speech, Finnish Consul General Vuori emphasized the importance of the institute as part of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the spirit of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Finland.

Rector Wu Tao described the establishment of the new institute as a milestone in the cooperation between the two universities and as an important achievement in deepening cooperation between China and Finland in the fields of education and health.

The institute will focus specifically on dual degrees and other educational programs in physical therapy, health-related information technology, and other emerging fields within the health sector—areas in which Shanghai has not previously offered comparable international educational programs.

Extensive cooperation and a joint development plan

A Finnish delegation led by Laurea’s President, CEO Jouni Koski visited Shanghai for four days. During this time, the parties refined the curricula for dual degrees in detail and planned the practical arrangements for the programs set to begin in 2026. In addition, plans were made for continuing education for Shanghai-based teachers, student mobility, and cooperation with healthcare companies and hospitals.

The delegation visited, among other places, Shanghai’s leading hospitals and innovative healthcare companies, with which the new institute will build high-quality practical learning environments.

The Institute as a pioneer in the international health sector

The new China–Finland Health Institute is one of the few international joint educational institutions recently approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

The institute’s goal is to train international healthcare professionals with applied expertise, strengthen interdisciplinary education in medicine, technology, and well-being, address the societal challenges posed by an aging population, and support Shanghai’s goal of becoming one of the world’s leading health cities. For Laurea, this collaboration is a financially significant incentive and working environment for the multidisciplinary development of international expertise and degree programs.

More information: