Student nurses' visit shows impact – from local to global

Nursing students from China saw Plymouth’s leading facilities and expertise

Nursing delegation from Guangzhou Southern University in China visits Dental Education Practice

Student nurses' visit shows impact – from local to global

Nursing students from China saw Plymouth’s leading facilities and expertise

24 August 2026

Student nurses from China have taken part in an international summer school at the University of Plymouth to experience its leading rural healthcare expertise.

The six students and two lecturers from Guangzhou Southern University in China came to understand more about nursing and healthcare in south-west England, while also sharing their own knowledge and experiences with healthcare professionals, academics and local community leaders.

The University of Plymouth is home to the widest range of healthcare programmes in the South West, and the summer school programme included visits to its leading facilities such as InterCity Place, the new Dental Education Practice run by Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, and the Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC).

In addition, the visiting students enjoyed lectures and discussions on nursing, the NHS, healthcare innovation and technology, and visited Derriford Hospital and the Plymouth Science Park.

Student nurses from Guangzhou Southern University visit University in summer 2026

Student nurses from Guangzhou Southern University visit Plymouth and healthcare partners in summer 2026

The University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Guangzhou Southern University last year.

As Plymouth is a university rooted in its local community, and helping to improve the lives of its local population, a key part of the visit was also time spent in rural Devon to understand healthcare systems. The students visited a rural GP practice in Brixton, South Hams to explore how nurses, GPs, community services, voluntary organisations and the University work together to support people living in rural communities.

The exchange also provided an opportunity for the Chinese students to share their own experiences of nursing and healthcare in China, and event lead Ian Sherriff BEM said it was a huge success.

The summer school provided an opportunity to celebrate the strengths of rural healthcare in Devon while learning from international colleagues and developing new ideas for the future.

The discussion explored the similarities and differences between rural healthcare in China and Devon, including nursing, community support, prevention and dementia care.

The event represented the beginning of an exciting relationship between Guangzhou Southern University, the University of Plymouth and the communities of Plymouth and rural Devon, and we hope it will become a long-term collaboration, creating opportunities for future student and staff exchanges, research and support in rural healthcare and nursing education.

Mr Ian Sherriff BEM
Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia

Ideas for the future

The delegation also gained an insight into how local democracy and public services operate. They met the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, visited the Council House and took part in discussions with representatives from the House of Lords, House of Commons, County, District and Parish Councils about the role of local government in supporting and commissioning health and social care.

Alongside the formal programme, the visitors experienced Devon life through a boat trip on the Tamar and a visit to The Box.

For the two visiting lecturers, the experience also provided ideas and international perspectives that can be shared with future nursing students at Guangzhou Southern University.

Nursing students from Guangzhou Southern University in China visit Plymouth and healthcare partners

We are deeply thankful for your careful planning of this summer school. Every arrangement, from inspiring lectures and the pleasant boat trip to our group dinner was perfectly organised.

The summer school has been a genuine two-way exchange, and we will take ideas back to China around community nursing, prevention, multidisciplinary working and the links between rural communities, primary care and hospitals, while being proud to share our insight into nursing and rural healthcare in China.

This rewarding experience surpassed all our expectations.

We will always cherish this memorable trip and your heartfelt kindness, and we sincerely hope to welcome you to our School of Nursing sometime soon.

The delegation from Guangzhou Southern University in China

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