Delegation from Wuhan University Visits MCI

Strengthening Sino-European Academic and Cultural Exchange

From October 24 to 26, the MCI China Center, in collaboration with the Department of Nonprofit, Social & Health Care Management, hosted a delegation of 19 students from Wuhan University’s School of Public Health, led by Prof. Dr. Hao Li. This group—comprising 13 undergraduate, five master’s, and one PhD student—participated in an exchange aimed at deepening the partnership established in 2022 and fostering mutual learning in public health and management.

MCI Rector Andreas Altmann warmly welcomed Prof. Hao Li and the student delegation with an inspiring address that set the stage for future collaborations, such as the upcoming Europe China Innovation Forum. Linda Schaar introduced MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^®, followed by presentations from Marion De Carlo on International Health & Social Health master's program Program and from Prof. Dr. Siegfried Walch, Head of the Department, who shared insights into the European Health Economics & Management (Eu-HEM) master's program.

In the afternoon, Prof. Dr. Ayman Fouda delivered an engaging lecture on “Fundamentals of Management & Strategic Thinking.” This interactive session united MCI’s first-semester IHSM students with their Wuhan University peers in collaborative group exercises, enriching their learning through intercultural exchange. Later, Prof. Hao Li and his PhD student, Ms. Jiaxin He, presented a guest lecture on “Estimating the Economic Burden of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance,” sharing research approaches and insights into cross-border studies with an audience of around 50 participants.

The following day, the group visited MED-EL, a leading Tyrolean health innovation company specializing in hearing solutions. Organized by Dr. Yi Ge, Senior Medical Affairs Manager, and Ms. Lin Wang, the visit provided an in-depth look into MED-EL’s production process and training lab, where students experienced hands-on activities in cochlear implantation and surgical simulations, and attended a seminar on global health careers.

Returning to MCI in the afternoon, students were introduced to the department of Business & Management by Florian Blösl and Silke Bernhart, who shared insights into the department’s research focus and academic offerings. That evening, the group immersed themselves in Austrian culture by attending the Military Concert at Landhausplatz in Innsbruck.

The visit concluded on October 26, Austria’s National Day, with a tour of Innsbruck’s historic Hofburg Museum, giving students a deeper perspective on Austrian history and heritage. A scenic excursion to Mieders followed, where breathtaking views of the Alps underscored the spirit of camaraderie and connection built over these three days. A farewell dinner, hosted by Hotel DasMEI, brought the exchange to a memorable close.

This impactful program underscored the value of international academic and cultural partnerships, inspiring both MCI and Wuhan University to pursue further initiatives that bridge academia and global health innovation.