Development

Forum is a tonic for promoting TCM

By Cang Wei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-10-24 17:24

BEIJNG — With its theme "The Development and Future of the Higher Education of Traditional Medicine", the second annual meeting of the Global University Network of Traditional Medicine (GUNTM) took place last week in Beijing.

Comprised of seven leading traditional medicine universities representing six countries, the GUNTM is a non-political academic network founded with the aim of effectively promoting traditional East Asian medicine, a integrative healthcare system and the welfare of the global community.

Traditional medicine faces challenges both in developed and developing countries. Though it has been used in some countries, especially in Asia and Africa, for thousands of years, people today cast doubt on its safety, quality and effectiveness.

The GUNTM provides a platform for its members to discuss common interests, encouraging protection, development and innovation in traditional medicine. Under the auspices of it, various kinds of work have been done, including international forums and student exchange programs

Since Beijing University of Chinese Medicine assumes the rotating presidency of the GUNTM, international and an open atmosphere of study are being built, and multilateral collaborations among traditional medicine institutions worldwide have been fostered effectively in the areas of education, research, clinical practices and information exchange.