Historical
changes and developments
Peking
University Health Science Center(PUHSC) is located in Xuanyuan Rd.,
Haidian District, a cultural area with many universities. It is in the
center of the well-known Zhong Guan Cun Hi-Tech Zone.
The
history of PUHSC can be traced back to as early as the beginning of the
20th century. In 1903 the government of
Qing Dynasty established the Medical Clinic at the Royal Capital
Higher Educational Institute. The next year it was moved into a new
place renovated from the Xingsheng Temple at Bajiaoliulijing, Hepingmen
Wai. Although it was closed after 4 years of existence in 1907, it was
purchased by the Medical Bureau (the counterpart of Health Department
then) in 1910 and provided a good foundation for the establishment of
the first national public medical school several years later in China.
The
1911 Revolution overthrew the Qing Dynasty and founded the Republic of
China. With the fashion of learning from the West growing then, western
medicine gained more recognition in China. In September 1912, the
Ministry of Education summoned Mr. Tang Erhe, a famous professor of
histology trained in Japan who was busy preparing for the establishment
of Zhejiang Provincial Medical School, to come to Beijing to plan for
the establishment of a national medical school. The Ministry of
Education bought the estate of the Medical Clinic at the price of 10,000
taels of silver and gave it to the new medical school. On October 16th,
the Ministry of Education appointed Tang Erhe as the President of Peking
Medical School. Thus the first national school of western medicine was
formally established, having nine staff members with the first admission
of 72 students.
Peking
Medical School struggled through the unsteady years of wars and social
turmoil. In the 1930s and 1940s, it was renamed as Peking University
Medical School, and was incorporated into Peking University.
In
July 1946,
Peking University was re-established in Peking and Professor Hu
Shi was appointed as its president. Under his presidency, the No.6
Preparatory Class and the Affiliated Hospital that survived the
Anti-Japanese War were restructured to form the Peking University
Medical School. Dr.Ma Wenzhao, professor of anatomy, Dr.Shen Junqi,
professor of physiology, and Dr.Hu Chuankui, professor of dermatology
served as the deans successively in the following years. Dr.Hu was also
the chief executive officer of the affiliated hospital (known as Beida
Hospital).
In
1952, with the restructuring of higher education system of new China,
Peking University Medical School was separated from Peking University
and became an independent college named as Beijing Medical College, Dr.
Hu Chuankui being its first president. Under the new system, the
Ministry of Health became the governing body and funding authority of
Beijing Medical College. It was then the college moved to the present
address, No.38 Xuanyuan Rd.. Thereafter, it began to develop rapidly.
In
1959,Beijing Medical College was recognized as one of China¡¯s 16 key
universities.
In
1984, the State Council approved 10 institutions for priority
development. Among them, Beijing Medical College was the only medical
institution, Prof. Ma Xu being its president.
In
1985, the college was renamed as Beijing Medical University(BMU) with
Dr. Qu Mianyu, professor in sports medicine, as the president.
In the
Mid-1990s, the Chinese government completed its reorientation for higher
education and worked out its reform guidelines. As a result, the ¡°211
Higher Education Development Project¡± was put forward to advocate
priority development of about 100 higher educational institutions so
that they can rank among the top universities in the world. BMU
successfully completed the national assessment process and was
accredited on Augest 28th, 1996, as one of the first few institutions
qualified for the ¡°211
Project.¡± From 1991 to April 2000, BMU was presidented by the
distinguished hematologist, Dr. Wang Debing.
On
April 3rd,2000, BMU was again incorporated into Peking University. And
on May 4th, it was formally renamed Peking University Health Science
Center, and Dr. Han Qide, professor of pathology and physiology and
academician of the Chinese Academy of Science, was entitled the
President of PUHSC.
With
93 years¡¯ developments, PUHSC has built a unique campus culture that
advocates diligence, rigor, objectivity and creativity. And the faculty
and graduates of
PUHSC are known for their devotion to the country and to the
health profession. With the strong support of the central government,
this first public medical school of China will continue to offer quality
medical education to the Chinese health care system. Its highest goal
is, with all its heart and all its might, to create an internationally
standard medical institute and to offer first-class medical education
for the health of all human beings.
