WORLD STOMATOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION | COUNCIL REPORT
Strengthening Academic Partnerships,Expanding Global Connections
WSO Academic and Institutional Visit to Hong Kong and Southern China
TO Members of the Council, World Stomatological Organization (WSO)
FROM Adjunct Professor Dato’ Dr How Kim Chuan, Co-President
DATE 25 August 2026
SUBJECT Report on the successful WSO academic and institutional visit to Hong Kong, Shantou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou
Dear Members of the WSO Council,
I am pleased to report the successful completion of an important WSO academic and institutional visit to several leading universities and dental institutions in Hong Kong and Southern China.
Over the course of this journey, I had the opportunity to visit and engage with colleagues from:
- The University of Hong Kong;
- Shantou University Medical College / its dental institution;
- Southern Medical University;
- Shenzhen University;
- Sun Yat-sen University, Guanghua School of Stomatology / Hospital of Stomatology.
The photographic record from the respective visits will be incorporated into the final illustrated edition for the Council’s reference and record.
This journey was more than a series of courtesy visits. It represented an important step in WSO’s continuing development as an international platform connecting universities, clinicians, researchers, professional leaders, industry and healthcare institutions across regions.
Overall Purpose of the Visit
The principal objective was to introduce and further explain the role and vision of WSO, while exploring meaningful areas of collaboration with leading academic institutions in China and Hong Kong.
Throughout the visits, I emphasised that WSO does not approach established universities with the intention of telling them how they should develop. These institutions already possess outstanding academic, clinical and research capabilities.
Instead, WSO hopes to serve as an international connector and enabling platform—helping excellent institutions extend their strengths beyond their existing geographical boundaries through international academic cooperation, talent exchange, research collaboration, professional development, global recognition and appropriate translational opportunities.
In this respect, I believe the visit successfully communicated the positioning of WSO as a bridge between China, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and the wider international dental community.
The University of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong component of this journey was particularly meaningful because HKU represents one of the leading academic centres in dentistry internationally.
Our interaction with colleagues from Hong Kong reinforced the importance of maintaining strong links between WSO and internationally established academic institutions.
HKU also provides an important bridge between China and the international community. Through our existing professional relationships with senior academics and WSO founding members associated with Hong Kong, there is considerable potential for future cooperation in education, academic exchange, postgraduate development, research and international networking.
The Hong Kong visit therefore provided an important starting point and academic foundation for the subsequent journey into Mainland China.
Visit to Shantou University Medical College
The visit to Shantou was deeply encouraging.
During our visit, we had the opportunity to observe the clinical, educational and academic environment and to interact with colleagues who demonstrated considerable commitment to the development of oral healthcare.
What impressed me particularly was the combination of youthful energy, professionalism and dedication to serving the regional community.
Although Shantou is geographically situated away from some of China’s largest metropolitan centres, its potential should not be underestimated. Institutions such as this can play an important role in improving oral healthcare, developing young professionals and building academic bridges beyond their immediate region.
From the WSO perspective, we see potential opportunities in:
- international academic exchange;
- professional development;
- international speakers and educational programmes;
- Fellowship and leadership development;
- research cooperation;
- humanitarian and community oral-health initiatives;
- and participation in WSO’s broader international network.
I also wish to acknowledge the hospitality and support extended to our delegation throughout this visit.
Visit to Southern Medical University
Our visit to Southern Medical University was equally productive.
We had the opportunity to visit and understand the development of both the Pingshan and Luohu campuses, and to see first-hand the scale of investment and ambition being placed into the development of dental education and clinical services.
The discussions demonstrated considerable interest in international collaboration.
Several possible areas of future engagement were identified, including:
- international education and training;
- postgraduate and specialist development;
- faculty and student exchanges;
- international academic programmes;
- research cooperation;
- clinical collaboration;
- and participation in WSO’s international professional network.
I believe Southern Medical University has strong potential to become an important partner as WSO develops its engagement in Southern China.
Visit to Shenzhen University
The visit to Shenzhen University provided another important perspective.
Shenzhen itself is one of the most dynamic innovation centres in China. The combination of university development, clinical medicine, technology, entrepreneurship and industry provides a particularly suitable environment for WSO’s broader vision.
Our discussions therefore went beyond traditional academic exchange.
We explored the possibility of connecting: clinical dentistry + university research + technology + innovation + industry + international markets.
This is particularly relevant to one of the directions that WSO has been developing—namely, creating an international ecosystem in which universities and clinicians are not isolated from technological and industrial development.
There is significant potential for collaboration between institutions in Shenzhen and WSO’s network in Southeast Asia and other regions.
Visit to Sun Yat-sen University – Guanghua School of Stomatology
The visit to Sun Yat-sen University and the Guanghua School of Stomatology was an especially meaningful conclusion to this journey.
Guanghua has developed a very strong academic, clinical and educational foundation. During the visit and discussions, I was impressed by the depth of its talent-development system, its clinical standards, academic strength and potential for further internationalisation.
My message during the visit was very clear:
WSO is not coming to teach Guanghua how to develop. Guanghua has already achieved a very high level.
Rather, WSO can potentially assist in helping some of Guanghua’s existing strengths become increasingly:
internationalised, standardised, connected and globally visible.
Several areas deserve further discussion, particularly:
- international talent development;
- postgraduate and specialist exchange;
- international academic accreditation and recognition;
- joint conferences and scientific programmes;
- research networking;
- international faculty exchange;
- development of young leaders;
- connections with Southeast Asian institutions;
- and potentially the internationalisation of appropriate clinical innovations and research outcomes.
I believe there is considerable strategic compatibility between Guanghua’s strengths and WSO’s international network.
A New Phase for WSO in China
One of the most important outcomes of this trip is that I believe WSO has now entered a new phase in its engagement with China.
Our intention is not to expand simply by increasing membership numbers.
Our objective should be to develop meaningful institutional partnerships.
If WSO can connect outstanding universities, hospitals, clinicians, researchers, technology companies and professional leaders from China with partners in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and other regions, we will create something far more valuable than a traditional professional organisation.
WSO can become an international platform of connection.
This is consistent with our broader development strategy.
China–Southeast Asia Connectivity
Another recurring theme throughout this journey was the potential role of WSO in connecting China with Southeast Asia.
Many Chinese academic institutions, clinicians and healthcare organisations are increasingly interested in developing international relationships.
At the same time, Southeast Asia possesses:
- rapidly developing healthcare systems;
- large patient populations;
- strong universities;
- substantial professional networks;
- growing dental industries;
- and considerable demand for education, technology and clinical development.
WSO is well positioned to help connect these two ecosystems.
This may eventually include academic programmes, joint research, specialist training, visiting professorships, professional exchanges, technology evaluation and appropriate industry translation.
Importance of Personal Relationships
Another lesson from this journey is that institutional collaboration ultimately begins with people.
Many of these visits were possible because of friendships and professional relationships developed over many years.
I therefore believe WSO must continue to grow through a culture of:
trust, respect, humility, friendship and long-term commitment.
We should not approach universities merely seeking endorsements, titles or membership.
We should first ask:“What meaningful value can WSO bring to this institution and to the profession?”
If we maintain this principle, institutional relationships will naturally deepen.
Proposed Follow-Up
Following this successful visit, I recommend that WSO gradually develop a structured follow-up programme rather than immediately attempting to formalise every discussion.
The next phase should include:
- identifying one or two realistic areas of cooperation with each institution;
- appointing appropriate WSO representatives to maintain communication;
- involving suitable members of our international academic network where there is genuine value;
- exploring faculty, student and researcher exchange opportunities;
- identifying potential joint academic meetings or WSO sessions;
- developing links between Chinese institutions and WSO partners in Southeast Asia and other regions;
- considering selected Fellowship and leadership-development pathways for highly qualified individuals;
- and, where appropriate, exploring research translation, technology and industry collaboration.
Our approach should remain focused, pragmatic and progressive.
Rather than signing many agreements without follow-up, I believe WSO should concentrate on developing a smaller number of genuine projects that can produce measurable outcomes.
Appreciation
I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation to all the university leaders, professors, colleagues and friends who received the WSO delegation so warmly during this journey.
I am equally grateful to the members and colleagues who assisted with the organisation, introductions, transportation and coordination required for such an intensive programme.
Their support made this visit possible.
Most importantly, I wish to thank the WSO Council and our founding members for the collective effort that has allowed WSO to reach this stage of development.
What we are witnessing today is not the achievement of one individual.
It is the result of the collective commitment of many colleagues from different countries who believe that dentistry can be strengthened through international cooperation.
Conclusion
I regard this journey as highly successful and strategically important for WSO.
Within a relatively short period, we were able to engage with several respected academic institutions across Hong Kong, Shantou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou and introduce WSO’s international vision at a meaningful institutional level.
More importantly, the discussions demonstrated that there is genuine interest in international cooperation and that WSO can potentially provide a useful platform for connecting these institutions with the wider world.
We must nevertheless remain humble.
This journey should not be viewed as an achievement to celebrate and then move on from. It should be regarded as the beginning of a longer journey.
Our responsibility now is to convert goodwill into cooperation, cooperation into programmes, and programmes into lasting institutions and relationships.
If we continue to remain low-profile, pragmatic, sincere and committed to delivering real value, I believe WSO has the opportunity to build a unique international platform for the global dental profession.
I look forward to updating the Council as these discussions develop further.
With warmest regards and appreciation,
Adjunct Professor Dato’ Dr How Kim Chuan
Co-President
World Stomatological Organization (WSO)
Photographic record to be incorporated in the final illustrated edition.