On September 2, the inaugural welcome ceremony for the Class of 2024 at SUSTech-King’s College London Medical School (SKMed) was held with great ceremony at the university's Conference Center.

The event was graced by the presence of SUSTech President Xue Qikun and King’s College London President Shitij Kapur. Also in attendance were SUSTech Vice President and Provost Fang Hongwei, Acting Vice President Jia Jinfeng, Dean of the School of Medicine and SKMed, Wang Songling, Secretary of the Joint Party Committee of the Medical School and Director of the Affiliated Hospital Construction Office, Wang Pengfei, and Vice President of King’s College London, ‘Funmi Olonisakin. Key representatives from both institutions also participated in the event.

The entire Class of 2024 and faculty members of SKMed gathered to witness this historic moment. The ceremony was hosted by Zhang Jian, Vice Dean of SKMed.

President Xue Qikun extended a warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations to all incoming students of the Class of 2024, expressing high expectations for their future. As 2024 marks the inaugural enrollment of SKMed, President Xue reflected on the deep collaboration between the two institutions in the field of Sino-foreign cooperative education, grounded in their shared vision and disciplinary strengths.

He expressed sincere gratitude to all colleagues who have contributed to and supported this partnership. President Xue encouraged the students to make full use of the abundant resources and platforms provided by both universities, to embrace every challenge with doubled effort, seize the opportunities of the new era, and advance with determination and courage. He urged them to persevere in their pursuit of continuous growth and self-improvement.

King’s College London President Shitij Kapur warmly welcomed the Class of 2024 and commended the unwavering efforts and breakthroughs achieved by both institutions in their years of collaborative education. He emphasized that SKMed represents the culmination of the long-standing commitment to international exchange and cooperation between the two universities, serving as a model for educational collaboration in the field of Sino-British medical sciences.

President Kapur highlighted the shared vision of building a world-class, uniquely positioned joint medical school. He reaffirmed King’s College London’s steadfast commitment to supporting SKMed in providing top-tier educational resources and platforms to cultivate high-quality, internationally oriented medical professionals. Encouraging the new students, he urged them to embrace opportunities with enthusiasm and initiative, and to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of global health.

Dean of the School of Medicine and SKMed, Wang Songling, delivered an enthusiastic address during the ceremony. He highlighted the immense opportunities presented by the rapid development of the biomedical industry, emphasizing that SKMed, a joint endeavor by SUSTech and King’s College London, is dedicated to nurturing future medical leaders with a global perspective and innovative mindset.Dean Wang pledged to integrate premier educational resources to foster students' growth through both research and practical experiences. He encouraged the new students to remain true to their aspirations, collaborate with like-minded peers, and explore the boundless possibilities in the field of biomedical sciences. Together, he envisioned, they could achieve remarkable success and create a brilliant future.

Executive Dean of SKMed, Thérèse Hesketh, delivered a concise yet impactful speech, focusing on the diverse opportunities available to students upon graduation. She highlighted the options of pursuing further studies at King’s College London or transitioning directly into the workforce.

Dean Hesketh encouraged the students to embrace the learning process and emphasized the importance of deriving joy from their academic journey, which she noted would enhance their overall learning outcomes. Her words sparked enthusiasm and anticipation among the new students for the exciting educational journey ahead.

Zheng Xiyu, a representative of the Class of 2024, delivered a heartfelt speech on behalf of the new students, expressing her pride and joy in joining SKMed. She conveyed her gratitude for the high-quality educational environment provided by the school and encouraged her peers to make the most of these resources to explore academics, tackle challenges, and pursue excellence in the field of medicine.

Her speech inspired everyone present and vividly reflected the vibrant, ambitious spirit of the incoming class.

            During the ceremony, Xue Qikun and Shitij Kapur jointly unveiled the plaque for SKMed.

With the successful conclusion of this welcome ceremony, the new students gained a deeper understanding of SKMed's unique educational features and future plans. This event also infused fresh energy into the collaboration between the two universities, showcasing the strong foundation of partnership between SUSTech and King’s College London. Both institutions remain committed to expanding their comprehensive cooperation, sharing high-quality resources and opportunities, and advancing the integration and development of Sino-British medical education.

The Class of 2024 at SKMed consists of nearly 60 students hailing from seven provinces—Shandong, Hunan, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Henan. The gender ratio of approximately 7:3 highlights the diversity in the academy’s recruitment.