Established in 1902 as Peking University’s medical branch the Peking University Health Science Center boasts a rich history. It initially operated as the Medical branch of Imperial College of Peking. Government funding issues led to its closure in 1908. However it reopened on October 26 1912. This was after the Qing dynasty’s fall. The Peking University Health Science Center was a pioneer. It was the first in China to teach Western medicine. It trained medical doctors using a British system. Graduates received an MD equivalent to the Scottish system. In 1923 it became Beijing Medical University. It separated from Peking University in 1952. It was recognized as one of six top national key universities in 1954. The Peking University Health Science Center eventually merged back with Peking University in 2000.
Today the Peking University Health Science Center stands as a testament to that legacy. It offers a wide array of courses. These include basic medical sciences clinical medicine preventive medicine. Stomatology pharmacy nursing medical laboratory diagnosis and biomedical English are also offered. The Peking University Health Science Center has impressive academic achievements. It offers 57 accredited doctoral programs and six postdoctoral programs. It boasts 20 nationally recognized disciplines. It also houses a national key laboratory ten ministry-level key laboratories. There are 23 joint research centers and 20 university-level research institutes. Eleven schools an institute and a division make up the Center. These include schools of Basic Medical Sciences Pharmaceutical Sciences Public Health Nursing and Stomatology. There are also clinical medicine schools and an Institute of Mental Health.
The Peking University Health Science Center’s reputation is unparalleled. Its clinical medicine program consistently ranks among China’s top three. Globally it held the #24 spot in Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2022. The high quality research in life sciences earned it the #1 spot in the Asia & Oceania region and #23 globally in the Nature Index 2022 Annual Tables. Its Dentistry & Oral Sciences Public Health and Nursing programs were also highly ranked globally. The Peking University Health Science Center has produced many notable alumni. These include Zhong Nanshan who discovered the SARS coronavirus. Tu Youyou a 2015 Nobel Prize winner for discovering artemisinin is also an alumna. The Peking University Health Science Center continues to shape the future of medicine in China and beyond. Its commitment to excellence research and innovation remains steadfast. Its influence reaches far beyond the walls of its impressive campus. It has 14 affiliated hospitals in Beijing. The Peking University Health Science Center is more than just a medical school. It is a symbol of progress and a beacon of hope.