Event Overview
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2026 Forum on Traditional Medicine was held in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China from September 16‑18, 2026. Under the theme “Empowering Traditional Medicine with Modern Technology to Co‑build Human Health for All,” the forum gathered government representatives, academics, healthcare experts and industry participants from countries including Russia, France, Portugal, Belarus, South Korea, Pakistan and India. On September 17, Dr. Dhanwantari Jha attended the Traditional Medicine Education Dialogue as the sole Indian and Ayurveda representative, joining more than one hundred experts and scholars.
Partnership Details
During the visit, Ayurved Nidhi and Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in educational programmes, faculty and student interaction, both online and offline learning, practical workshops, academic exchange and joint research. The agreement is positioned within the broader SCO Medical University Alliance, linking Ayurveda education from India with an established Chinese academic institution and the regional network of traditional‑medicine cooperation.
International Education Alliance
The dialogue also resulted in the launch of the International Education Alliance for Medical Techniques. Representatives from Russia, India, Belarus and other participating institutions signed the alliance initiative, which is built on three principles – Diversity, Inheritance and Cooperation. The alliance aims to develop joint technical training programmes, cross‑border education, an international curriculum resource database, academic exchange, education research, scientific research and dissemination of traditional‑medicine culture.
Digital Education Emphasis
Digital transformation was highlighted as one of three major directions for traditional‑medicine education by the host university. President Zhu Weifeng called for education resources to cross geographical boundaries and become more accessible internationally. Dr. Jha advocated that digital platforms should supplement, not replace, practical and teacher‑led training, allowing theoretical knowledge to be delivered online while universities, teachers and clinical institutions retain responsibility for mentorship and hands‑on competence.
Significance
The participation of Dr. Jha and the signing of the MOU provide Ayurveda with a formal avenue to be represented alongside other traditional medical systems in international education discussions. The alliance and partnership create mechanisms for mutual understanding, shared resources and comparative research, reinforcing the distinct identities of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine while fostering collaborative learning and innovation.