Dr. Bei Du from Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Dr. ShuiMing “Kelly” Yu from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center at Sun Yat-sen University and Dr. Xiaoning “Betty” Li, Director of Professional Affairs for the Department of Optometry for the Aier Eye Hospital Group joined Adjunct Professor Dr. George Woo from Hong Kong Polytechnic University who helped to host and facilitate academic, clinical and cultural exchange for MBKU’s visitors.
“No formal optometric education programs were in existence in China until the early 1980s,” said Dr. George Woo, Adjunct Professor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. “The emergence of optometric services in China has been influenced heavily by developments of these services in the English-speaking world, notably Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. Optometrists in China are always looking for opportunities to obtain new knowledge and learn from their colleagues around the world. We are thankful that Marshall B. Ketchum University opened their doors to us.”
Drs. Du, Yu and Li have a variety of interests ranging from low vision rehabilitation to pediatric eye care. The visiting scholars sat alongside SCCO students in the classroom and shadowed SCCO’s doctors in the university-owned Eye Center, University Eye Center at Fullerton. Each of the visitors gained valuable knowledge around the roles of optometrists in the eye health care system and how optometrists work in America. They expanded their knowledge in their areas of interest and are excited to take what they’ve learned at MBKU back to their home country. “In the first week of studying, I visited four different clinics in California and have a general understanding of the daily work of these clinics. Some of them are similar with what we are doing in China, some of them are absolutely new to us. It is very meaningful to us to be here learning from the faculty at MBKU, said Dr. Xiaoning “Betty” Li, Director of Professional Affairs for the Department of Optometry for the Aier Eye Hospital.
“The world is a smaller place with technology and ease of travel,” said Stanley Woo, O.D., M.S., M.B.A, Dean, Southern California College of Optometry. “I hope that the exchange piqued faculty interest and provided all with the opportunity to gain some insight about health care and research in China and beyond. The entire MBKU community extended a warm welcome and Southern California hospitality to our distinguished visitors. It was a mutually beneficial visit for all parties.”