To deepen collaborative innovation in Sino-Canadian medical and nursing education and align with the core theme of the 2026 Sino-Canadian Friendly University Academic Exchange Event – “AI + Medicine, Collaborative Innovation, High-Quality Development”, Professor Shannon Scott, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, was invited to attend the 4th Sino-Canadian Medical Education Academic Conference and the 2026 Graduation Ceremony of the Wenzhou Medical University-Alberta Joint Institute, jointly exploring new pathways for high-quality development of Sino-Canadian nursing.
Focusing on Frontiers: Discussing Innovative Development of Sino-Canadian Medical Education
On the morning of June 28, the 4th Sino-Canadian Medical Education Academic Conference was held at our university. The conference brought together experts and scholars from the University of Toronto, the University of Alberta and top-tier domestic universities to discuss the deep integration and innovative application of artificial intelligence in medical education, scientific research and clinical practice. Dean Shannon Scott delivered a special academic presentation, sharing the practical applications of artificial intelligence at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta. Professor Cai Fuman, Dean of the School of Nursing, Wenzhou Medical University, gave an academic talk on the rapid development trajectory of the School of Nursing in recent years and its partnership history with the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta.
Deepening Cooperation: Negotiating New Pathways for Nursing Discipline Development
On the afternoon of June 28, Dean Shannon Scott paid a visit to the School of Nursing, where both sides held talks on exchanges and cooperation. The meeting was attended by Dean Cai Fuman, core faculty members and staff from the Teaching Affairs Office of the School of Nursing.
At the exchange session, Dean Cai Fuman extended a warm welcome to Dean Shannon Scott. He noted that the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta is a benchmark institution for nursing in Canada, consistently ranking first in the Maclean’s University Rankings and among the world’s top ten for Nursing in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, boasting world-renowned disciplinary influence. He expressed anticipation for in-depth collaboration between the two sides. Dean Cai then systematically introduced the School of Nursing’s programme offerings, faculty development, scientific research and international cooperation initiatives. The two parties engaged in in-depth discussions covering disparities between Sino-Canadian nursing education systems, curriculum optimisation, faculty development and joint research. Professor Shannon Scott thanked the School of Nursing for its warm reception, shared the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing’s experience in disciplinary development and international collaboration, and looked forward to closer substantive cooperation in the future.
Leading Academic Advancement: Sharing Cutting-Earlier Achievements in Knowledge Translation
Following the forum, Dean Shannon Scott delivered a special academic lecture titled The Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) Project to faculty and students of our School, attracting over 40 core instructors and postgraduate students.
Drawing on her extensive experience as Canada’s Lead Researcher in Child Health Knowledge Translation, Principal Investigator of the ECHO Research Programme, Co-Founding Director of TREKK and Co-Director of the JBI Centre for Knowledge Translation, Dean Scott vividly illustrated a complete research framework covering paediatric emergency nursing research translation and the clinical implementation of evidence-based nursing. She systematically outlined innovative approaches to knowledge translation and multi-stakeholder collaboration, analysing practical challenges and corresponding solutions. She voiced her hope to cooperate with scholars from our School to facilitate the local adaptation of relevant resources. Faculty and students participated in an interactive Q&A session, building a bridge for young nursing students to engage with cutting-edge international research.
In-Depth Clinical Visits: Touring Affiliated Hospitals to Observe Nursing Practices
On the afternoon of June 29, accompanied by Postdoctoral Researcher Pan Yingying from the School of Nursing, Dean Shannon Scott visited the First Affiliated Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University successively.
Both hospitals gave a warm welcome to Dean Shannon Scott. Representatives from both sides held thorough exchanges on differences between Chinese and foreign nursing education systems, quality control of specialised nursing, and continuing education for nurses, sharing experience in multi-specialty clinical care, patient safety management and the application of AI technology in clinical nursing quality control. Professor Scott gained first-hand insight into the hospitals’ clinical nursing workflows, specialised nursing features and information technology development, and spoke highly of their remarkable achievements in clinical nursing services and nursing talent cultivation.
Forging Ahead Hand in Hand: Opening a New Chapter in Sino-Canadian Nursing Cooperation
This visit by Dean Shannon Scott marks another key exchange between the two universities’ nursing disciplines, following Dean Cai Fuman’s visit to the University of Alberta as part of the university’s academic delegation in November 2024.
Moving forward, the School of Nursing will continue to deepen exchanges and collaboration with the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta. It will draw on advanced international nursing concepts and best practices, integrate them with the School’s disciplinary strengths, further refine its talent training system, boost momentum for research and innovation, and leverage clinical nursing resources from the First and Second Affiliated Hospitals. With an internationally inclusive vision built on diverse exchanges, the School will drive high-quality development of the nursing discipline.
